The BBC implements major updates to its football programming this season. Officials confirm Football Focus will end after the current campaign, a show that debuted on Grandstand in 1974 and has been hosted by Alex Scott since 2021. The decision stems from evolving viewer habits and the need to adapt content delivery.
Director of BBC Sport Alex Kay-Jelski stated: “Football Focus has been a hugely important programme in the history of BBC Sport and has played a key role in telling the stories of the game for generations of viewers. This decision was made before last week’s wider BBC savings announcement, reflecting the continued shift in how audiences engage with football and our commitment to evolving how we deliver content to reach fans wherever they are.”
New Weekend Schedule
Football Focus’s Saturday lunchtime slot opens opportunities for adjustments next season. The Football Interview, hosted by Kelly Somers, moves to 12.45pm on Saturdays for the 2025/26 season. Recent guests include Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike, and Manchester United’s Michael Carrick.
Final Score, presented by Jason Mohammad and originally part of Grandstand before going standalone in 2001, starts earlier at 3.45pm to provide more live match updates. Both shows stream on BBC iPlayer.
Match of the Day Name Change
This season, the BBC drops the Match of the Day 2 title for the Sunday edition, unifying it under the main Match of the Day banner. The Champions League highlights also adopt this name for easier access.
Match of the Day presenter Mark Chapman told Radio Times: “I’m intrigued, really, because I’ve never viewed Saturdays and Sundays as any different.”
Co-host Gabby Logan added: “In many weeks, Match of the Day 2 has been a stronger line-up. Match of the Day is Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays [for Champions League highlights]. It’s not Match of the Day 1, Match of the Day 2, it’s just Match of the Day.”
The BBC enhances its digital presence with weekend Premier League highlights available at 8pm or 30 minutes after the last game, accessible via the BBC Sport app, website, and iPlayer before the main broadcasts.
Presenter Shake-Up
Gary Lineker steps away after hosting Match of the Day since 1999. Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan now rotate hosting duties.
Gabby Logan noted: “There’s an enormous responsibility to make sure we continue to evolve while at the same time respecting the traditions of Match of the Day. People want to see the goals, they want to see the incidents, they want to see the moments everyone’s talking about, so while we can tinker at the edges, the core is the football.”
Kelly Cates shared: “Once I sit in that chair and the theme music starts, I just know that’s going to be a really incredible moment. I’ve worked with a lot of the pundits before and they’re all fantastic, so I’m just looking forward to getting started.”
Mark Chapman emphasized teamwork: “This isn’t about the three of us, it’s about the three of us plus our pundits, plus our editors, plus our analysts and stats people and production people, radio and online. Genuinely this is about all of us as a department working together.”
