BBC to air new Match of the Day-style show next season
06/05/2024 09:30
The BBC will air a new Match of the Day-style programme next season after winning the rights to show Champions League highlights.
UEFA have announced a revamped Champions League ahead of the 2024-25 season, with the number of clubs competing in Europe’s top club competition jumping from 32 to 36.
The competition will include 189 games – 64 more than this season – and see each team compete in a single group in midweek fixtures between September and January.
Following eight group games, the top eight in the table will advance straight to the last-16 while the next eight sides enter a play-off round to join them. The bottom eight teams will be eliminated.
TNT Sports will remain the home of the Champions League, showing live games throughout the season, but the BBC have acquired rights to show highlights over the next three years.
The highlights package, which The Sun say will be a Match of the Day-style show, will be available on TV, iPlayer and online.
The line-up of the presenters and pundits is yet to be confirmed but ex-England striker Gary Lineker hosts Saturday’s Match of the Day, while Mark Chapman fronts Match of the Day 2 on Sundays.
‘We are simply thrilled to have won these rights,’ BBC Director of Sport Barbara Slater said after the corporation made a three-year deal with UEFA. ‘Our reach and ability to bring people together is unrivalled.
‘We couldn’t be more delighted that UEFA has recognised the value in our ability to bring the Champions League to the widest possible audience across the UK.
‘This package of highlights and digital content will allow football fans to follow the Champions League, whenever and however they like.
‘The Champions League is a wonderful addition to our portfolio of football output on the BBC and we can’t wait to get started.’
The 2023-2024 Champions League is currently at the semi-final stage, with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund vying for a place in the final.
Manchester City are the defending champions but were knocked out by Real Madrid in the quarters. London’s Wembley Stadium hosts the final on June 1.
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