When does transfer window close — key dates and deadline times

Introduction: Why the question “when does transfer window close” matters

Knowing when the transfer window closes is vital for clubs, players, agents and supporters. Deadline times determine the final day for registrations, loan moves and international clearance; missing the cut-off can nullify agreements. Recent adjustments to closing hours and extended January deadlines have further increased the importance of precise timing.

Main body: Current closing dates and times

Summer transfer window

According to ESPN, the regular summer window opened on Tuesday, 1 July. The window will close at 7pm BST (2pm ET) on a Monday in September. That closing time is two hours later than in recent seasons, an adjustment intended to give clubs additional time to complete deals on deadline day. Note the closing hour is given in British Summer Time (BST) with the equivalent Eastern Time for viewers in the US.

January transfer window

Traditionally the January transfer window closed on 31 January. However, this year the arrangement differs: the window opened on 1 January 2026 and, per the English Football League (EFL), will close at 7pm GMT on Monday, 2 February 2026. The change extends the period during which clubs can finalise mid-season business and reflects a specific calendaring decision for the 2025–26 campaign. Reports also indicate Premier League clubs were given an extended deadline this season, aligning with the later February cut-off announced by relevant bodies.

Practical implications

Deadline-day activity is typically frenetic as clubs rush to submit paperwork and obtain international clearance. Because times are stated in BST or GMT, clubs and fans outside the UK should convert the deadline to local time zones (for example, 2pm ET for the summer closing time cited by ESPN). Given the adjusted hours, teams may plan last-minute negotiations knowing they have the extra two-hour window compared with recent seasons.

Conclusion: What readers should take away

In summary, if you are asking “when does transfer window close” this season, note the summer window closes at 7pm BST (2pm ET) on a Monday in September, and the January window for 2026 closes at 7pm GMT on Monday, 2 February. Fans and club officials should monitor official league communications on the day and allow time for paperwork and international clearance ahead of the announced deadlines.