From the 2025/26 football season, Match of the Day, the UK’s most recognisable football highlights show, now has two female presenters in its main line-up. Of the three presenters, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan MBE are leading coverage, marking one of the most visible shifts in football broadcasting to date.
This is particularly striking given that when Match of the Day began in 1964, it took over 40 years before a woman first fronted the programme in any major capacity.
A Cultural Shift That Goes Beyond the Screen
The growing presence of women in football media is part of a much broader transformation in how women’s sport is seen, supported, and celebrated. The 2023 Women’s World Cup attracted over two billion viewers globally, shattering previous records and proving the appetite is real. From packed stadiums in the UEFA Women’s Nations League to record-breaking attendance in the Women’s Super League and a surge in commercial investment, the momentum is undeniable.
This shift isn’t just about progress – it’s about reflecting the current reality. As interest and investment continue to rise, so do expectations for visibility and representation at every level of sport and media.
The Presenters Leading the Way
Kelly Cates is an experienced sports broadcaster, presenting across Sky Sports, BBC Sport and ESPN. She has covered Premier League football, the FIFA World Cup and major tournaments across Europe.
Gabby Logan MBE has built a long-standing career in television and radio, presenting for the BBC across football, athletics and the Olympics. Before broadcasting, she represented Wales as a rhythmic gymnast at the Commonwealth Games.
Their appointment reflects a broader shift in the industry and challenges the assumption that football broadcasting is the preserve of men.
Why This Matters
Women are no longer just watching football, they’re shaping how it’s covered. A few key facts highlight the importance:
- Women’s football viewership has surged – The Women’s Euro 2022 final became the most-watched women’s football match in UK history, peaking at 17.4 million viewers on the BBC.
- Girls’ football participation in England has quadrupled since 2017 (FA data).
- One in three Premier League fans are now female, according to Sky research.
Having women in leading presenter roles helps drive:
- Diversity in media and sport
- Role models for young girls
- Visibility and normalisation
- Workplace gender equality
Representation at this level signals that women aren’t guests in sport, they’re leaders in it.
Progress Beyond the Screen
Women still remain underrepresented behind the scenes. A 2023 Women in Sport report showed:
- Only 14% of sports media coverage in the UK features women’s sport.
- Just 5% of sports journalism roles are held by women.
So, when major platforms elevate female presenters, it has a real impact, it challenges outdated norms and sets a new expectation.
How Me Learning Supports the Future of Women in Sport
At Me Learning, we’re committed to helping workplaces become inclusive, future-focused and representative. Through our diversity, equity and inclusion training, we support organisations in:
- Building cultures where women can lead
- Addressing unconscious bias
- Providing equal access to opportunity
- Promoting representation at every level
As women’s sport continues to grow, both in participation and commercial value, businesses must adapt to reflect their audiences and workforce.
Final Thoughts
Moments like this on Match of the Day show just how far we’ve come, but also how important it is to keep going. Whether on screen, on the pitch or behind the camera, women deserve visibility, leadership and investment.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Me Learning can support your organisation with diversity, equity and inclusion training, or want to explore how to build a more inclusive workplace culture in sport and media, we’d love to hear from you.
📩 Max Blencowe – maxblencowe@melearning.co.uk
📩 Lauren Wood – laurenwood@melearning.co.uk
Let’s keep the momentum going and work together to create spaces where women don’t just participate – they lead.
