When does the summer transfer window close?

WHAT HAPPENED
The summer transfer window for clubs in the Premier League and the English Football League will shut at 23:00 BST on Tuesday 1 September. Other leagues have different cut-offs: Spain, Germany and Italy close on the same calendar day but earlier in the evening, while France’s Ligue 1 ends a day before.

Scottish clubs and teams in the Women's Super League have longer to do business, with their windows remaining open until 17:00 on Thursday 3 September.

KEY CONTEXT
FIFA limits transfer windows to a maximum of 16 weeks in a calendar year, which frames how national associations set their deadlines. Last season, the Premier League and EFL used a 19:00 closing time to align with the working day; this year they have reverted to the more usual 23:00 finish.

WHY IT MATTERS
Different deadline times across countries affect the timing and completion of cross-border transfers: deals between clubs in leagues with mismatched windows must be completed before the earlier relevant cutoff. Separate later deadlines for Scotland and the WSL mean domestic and inbound moves involving those competitions can continue after the English men’s window has shut. The summer market has already seen significant activity, including Chelsea’s record British signing of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa earlier in the window.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether high-profile transfers are completed before the 23:00 BST deadline on 1 September for Premier League and EFL clubs.
- Activity that will continue into 3 September for Scottish clubs and Women's Super League teams.
- Any last-minute cross-border deals that must be finalised before the earlier evening deadlines in Spain, Germany and Italy, or before Ligue 1’s earlier closing day.

KEY FACTS
- Premier League and EFL window closes at 23:00 BST on Tuesday 1 September.
- FIFA rule: a transfer window cannot exceed 16 weeks in a calendar year.
- Last season England’s window closed at 19:00; it has returned to 23:00 this season.
- Spain, Germany and Italy close on the same day as England but earlier in the evening; Ligue 1 shuts a day earlier.
- Scottish clubs and the Women's Super League have until 17:00 on Thursday 3 September.
- Chelsea broke the British transfer record this summer when signing Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa.