BBC revamps football: Match Day stays, Football Focus dies
The BBC has announced a sweeping overhaul of its football coverage ahead of the 2026/27 season, axing the 52‑year‑old Football Focus and introducing The Football Interview fronted by Kelly Somers, while Match Day retains its star pundits.
Football Focus has been axed after 52 years on our screens, ending a beloved lunchtime broadcast that has been a Saturday ritual for generations of fans.
New flagship interview replaces Focus
The Football Interview will replace the long‑running show, with Kelly Somers taking the helm as the new studio host.
Match Day retains stars amid pay cut
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer stays on Match Day alongside Wayne Rooney, but official BBC figures show his annual pay has dropped from the £440,000‑£444,999 bracket to between £390,000 and £394,999, though it is unclear whether the reduction was voluntary.
Four fresh faces have joined the pundit line‑up: Ashley Young, Robbie Keane, Toby Alderweireld and former Tottenham and Brentford boss Thomas Frank, all signing up for guest duties in a revolving roster.
Six familiar names – Martin Keown, Dion Dublin, Shay Given, Stephen Warnock, Nedum Onuoha and Theo Walcott – were absent from the latest list, but they have not been axed and are still expected to contribute to Match Day coverage.
BBC Head of Sport Alex Kay‑Jelski is also pushing digital content, launching four new YouTube shows – FANS², The Truth About Football, Golden Goal and Football Hub – alongside a fan collective featuring a supporter from every Premier League club.
With huge names joining, a 52‑year‑old television institution making way for a new era, this Premier League season looks set to be as much a talking point in the studio as on the pitch.