The BBC has confirmed four new additions to the Match of the Day line-up and unveiled its plans for the 2026/27 season.
Ex-Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld, former Premier League marksman Robbie Keane, ex-Man Utd and Aston Villa stalwart Ashley Young, and Thomas Frank, who was sacked as Spurs boss last season after impressing with Brentford, have been added to the MOTD roster for the new campaign.
The iconic highlights show remains the jewel of the BBC’s football coverage crown. Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will reprise their roles as hosts this season and will be joined in the studio by a rotating set of pundits, which also includes Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Ellen White, Steph Houghton, Danny Murphy and Ashley Williams.
The new immersive studio technology showcased during the BBC’s coverage of World Cup 2026 will also be a part of the MOTD coverage.
The Premier League kicks off on Friday, when holders Arsenal begin their title defence by hosting newly-promoted Coventry City at the Emirates, which will be one of six games covered when the first episode of Match of the Day airs on Saturday night.
Of course, the BBC’s plans for the new season go far beyond just MOTD. Its extensive radio coverage continues across BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds with 209 exclusive Premier League commentaries, as well as live football from the men’s Champions League, Scottish Premiership, men’s FA Cup, men’s League Cup and international matches involving the home nations.
Two games from each round of the FA Cup will be broadcast live on BBC TV and BBC iPlayer, while there will also be one Bundesliga match shown live every week and one Serie A fixture every weekend.
All of Scotland’s men’s international matches, alongside selected Scottish Cup fixtures including the final, will be broadcast live, while Sportscene will have highlights of all Scottish Premiership matches.
BBC iPlayer will have live streams of select Cymru Premier matches and Wales men’s international matches will be live on BBC TV.
A new three-year deal means there will also be free-to-air coverage of Northern Irish international and domestic football on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer and radio.
All the usual favourites, including 606, 72+, The Wayne Rooney Show, Feast of Football and the Football Interview return, but the broadcaster has also added four new YouTube formats – FANS², The Truth About Football, Golden Goal and Football Hub.
“Football means something different to every fan, and this season BBC Sport is putting those fans even more firmly at the heart of the game,” said BBC Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski.
“We’re bringing together the unrivalled expertise of former players and managers with the passion, personality and perspectives of supporters themselves to create a richer football experience wherever and however audiences follow the game.
“There are new shows, new voices and new ways to get closer to the action – alongside the trusted coverage millions of fans already turn to, from Match of the Day to BBC Radio 5 Live. Whether you want the big debate, the inside story, the fan perspective or simply every goal, BBC Sport will be there all season.”
BBC Sport has confirmed that its “exciting coverage plans for the women’s football season will be announced very soon”.
Match of the Day returns for the start of the 2026/27 season at 10:20pm on BBC One on Saturday 22 August 2026.
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