Gary Lineker’s Netflix Leap Puts Him in Podcasting’s Premier League – But Can He Deliver?

Gary Lineker is laughing – the kind of deep, familiar laugh that has become a signature of The Rest Is Football. Moments earlier, Micah Richards had cheekily crowned him “top dog,” and Alan Shearer played along before all three dissolved into giggles. Their banter is effortless, and it is this chemistry that has helped turn their podcast into an unlikely media giant.

Now, the trio is stepping onto a much bigger stage. Goalhanger, the production company Lineker co-founded, has struck a landmark deal with Netflix to transform The Rest Is Football into a daily World Cup show next summer. For Lineker, it’s a stunning move -and one that places him in direct competition with his former employer, the BBC.

Just months ago, Lineker was still the face of Match of the Day, a role he held for 26 years. His departure, following backlash over a social media post about Zionism, marked the end of a long era for both him and the broadcaster. The fallout forced him to “step back” from the BBC’s 2026 World Cup and FA Cup coverage, clearing the path for a new chapter – one that has now arrived in dramatic fashion.

A Studio in New York, a Global Stage

Netflix’s vision is far more ambitious than the podcast’s usual format, which often features Lineker, Richards, and Shearer joining remotely from different homes with varying audio quality. For the World Cup, they will decamp to a high-budget New York studio. Reporters will beam in from team camps and fan zones, adding a live-news sheen the show has never had.

While Netflix does not hold live match rights – those remain with BBC and ITV – analysts say the deal signals a major shift in sports coverage. Video podcasts are growing rapidly, and Netflix, which already hosts several formats, wants a foothold in the category.

Crucially, the show will air globally. With football’s soaring popularity in the US, Lineker suddenly has a chance to become a household name far beyond British shores. Richards already enjoys that recognition thanks to his CBS punditry, but this project gives Lineker a new depth of international visibility.

“It will firmly put Lineker on the global stage,” says Paolo Pescatore of PP Foresight.

The Business Behind the Banter

The money involved is substantial – reportedly far beyond the £1.35m salary Lineker received from the BBC. Goalhanger, now one of the most influential podcasting companies in the UK, has rapidly grown into a multi-million-pound operation. Its shows consistently dominate the charts, with The Rest Is Football claiming around seven million monthly listeners.

But as the podcasting empire has grown, so has the scrutiny. Some listeners complain about the frequency of adverts; others feel the chemistry suffers when episodes are recorded remotely. For younger fans, rival shows like The Overlap or Open Goal feel more dynamic.

Still, despite the odd criticism, Lineker’s blend of warmth, candour, and sharp football analysis remains a powerful draw. His willingness to speak openly – a trait that caused friction at the BBC – is embraced in the podcast world.

A New Chapter, on His Own Terms

Though Lineker declined to be interviewed for this feature, he told the Evening Standard recently that he is relieved to no longer “tread on eggshells.” He had initially planned to leave MOTD after the 2026 World Cup; now, freed from BBC impartiality rules, he will instead front a daily Netflix show during the tournament he once expected to cover for British television.

For fans, the Netflix deal opens new possibilities. The trio’s natural humour will remain the show’s backbone, but observers expect tweaks – perhaps more celebrity guests or content tailored for a wider audience.

Rory Smith of The Observer says the move is “imaginative” and reflects how former footballers are reinventing themselves in a crowded media environment. With the World Cup approaching, he predicts a frantic battle for viewers’ attention.

“When it’s on Netflix, where so many people already are, they will get watched,” he says.

The Final Whistle – or the Starting Gun?

There is undeniable risk. Loyal listeners may worry the podcast will lose its relaxed identity under studio lights. Others might bristle at the big-money optics. Yet, Lineker’s ability to evolve has already kept him relevant across decades – from striker to presenter to podcast impresario.

Back on The Rest Is Football this week, Lineker joked about Netflix’s Stranger Things: “There’s another series coming soon… it’s called The Rest Is Football.”

It was meant as a throwaway line. But for a man stepping onto one of the world’s largest media platforms, it may not be far from the truth.