Premier League Clubs to Vote on Closing Transfer Window Before Season Start

Premier League clubs are set to vote on Thursday on whether to close the summer transfer window before the new season begins. The proposed date is August 14 — two days before the first match of the 2025/26 campaign.

If approved, clubs would no longer be able to sign players after the season starts, potentially reshaping pre-season planning and recruitment strategies.

A similar rule was implemented in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons, when the window closed before the first game. However, the decision was reversed after several clubs expressed concerns about being at a disadvantage compared to European leagues, where the window remains open until the end of August.

Currently, most top European leagues close their transfer windows on August 31. If the Premier League makes this change, it could once again stand apart from the rest, influencing domestic competition and international transfers.

The decision will be made by a simple majority vote among the league’s 20 clubs.

Did You Know?

During the previous early closure period, some Premier League clubs lost key players to foreign leagues after the domestic window had shut, leaving them without time to sign replacements.