Kelly Cates

Kelly Cates is one of British sport's most accomplished broadcasters, known for her authority, versatility, and ability to engage audiences across television and radio. Named Presenter of the Year at the British Journalism Awards and Media Figure of the Year at the 2026 Women's Football Awards, she co-hosts the BBC's flagship Match of the Day alongside Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan, and presented the 2026 World Cup for the BBC. Her career spans Sky Sports News, talkSPORT, where she made history as the first female host, and BBC Radio 5 Live, alongside producing powerful documentaries through her own production company. Audiences benefit from her deep sporting insight, approachable style, and ability to translate high-pressure broadcasting experience into practical lessons on leadership, resilience, and communicating with confidence under scrutiny.

When Gary Lineker announced his departure from Match of the Day after 25 years, the BBC turned to Kelly Cates as one of three presenters chosen to lead the programme into its next era. Named Media Figure of the Year at the 2026 Women's Football Awards and selected to present the 2026 World Cup for the BBC, she has become one of the most trusted and versatile voices in British sports broadcasting. Her appointment to Match of the Day, alongside Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan, reflects not only her deep expertise but also her proven ability to connect with audiences across the biggest platforms in sport.

Kelly's career has taken her across some of broadcasting's most demanding roles. She became the founding face of Sky Sports News in 1998, where she broke major stories and covered World Cups, European Championships, and Golden League athletics. Her versatility saw her move across broadcasters including ESPN, Setanta, and ITV, fronting Premier League and Champions League coverage, before rejoining Sky Sports in 2016 to present Football League and later Premier League matches, including Friday Night Football. She made history as the first female host on talkSPORT and has since become a regular voice on BBC Radio 5 Live, covering everything from live match commentary to in-depth analysis. Beyond presenting, Kelly runs her own production company and has produced powerful documentaries on the Hillsborough disaster for the History Channel and BBC Five Live. Her corporate hosting work includes collaborations with Vodafone, UEFA, the ECB, UNICEF, and the Football Association, demonstrating her ability to engage diverse audiences with professionalism and warmth.

Kelly delivers clarity, insight, and credibility to every event she hosts. Whether presenting live football to millions, moderating high-profile corporate events, or engaging audiences on resilience, leadership, and breaking barriers in competitive industries, she combines deep sporting knowledge with an approachable and energising style. Audiences leave her sessions with a clearer understanding of what it takes to succeed under pressure, adapt to change, and communicate with confidence. Her ability to inform, inspire, and connect makes her a compelling choice for organisations seeking a speaker who delivers both substance and impact.