When Must Premier League Clubs Register Their Signings to Be Eligible to Play This Weekend?

With the 2024-25 Premier League season just around the corner, clubs are scrambling to finalize their summer dealings to ensure their new signings are available to play in the opening weekend fixtures. Manchester United’s £43m double swoop for Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui is a prime example of this, as the Red Devils hope to get the deals over the line in time for their opening game against Fulham on Friday.

But how long do clubs have to finalize these deals to ensure their new signings are eligible to play this weekend? Here’s everything you need to know about the registration process and the deadlines clubs must meet to ensure their new signings can take to the pitch.

When Must Signings Be Registered to Play This Weekend?

The Premier League states that any club hoping to debut new signings this opening weekend must have their players registered by 12 pm the last working day before a game. This means that Manchester United and Fulham must register their new signings by 12 pm on Thursday to ensure they are eligible to play in the Friday night fixture.

The rest of the Premier League clubs have an extra day to get their signings over the line, with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea having until 12 pm on Friday to register their players.

Premier League Fixtures This Weekend

Here are the Premier League fixtures for this weekend:

• Friday, August 16: Manchester United vs Fulham at 8 pm
• Saturday, August 17:
  • Ipswich Town vs Liverpool at 12:30 pm
  • Arsenal vs Wolves at 3 pm
  • Everton v Brighton at 3 pm
  • Newcastle United v Southampton at 3 pm
  • Nottingham Forest v AFC Bournemouth at 3 pm
  • West Ham v Aston Villa at 5:30 pm
• Sunday, August 18:
  • Brentford v Crystal Palace at 2 pm
  • Chelsea v Man City at 4:30 pm
• Monday, August 19:
  • Leicester City v Spurs at 8 pm

When Does the Summer Transfer Window Close?

The transfer window for the Premier League is shorter this year, with the transfer deadline set for Friday, August 30 at 11 pm. However, some nations like Saudi Arabia and Turkey have an extended transfer window, which means Premier League squads could still be changed after August 30.

With the transfer deadline looming, clubs will be working tirelessly to finalize their summer dealings and get their new signings registered in time for the opening weekend fixtures.

Manchester United are hoping they can get their £43m double swoop for Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui over the live before their opening fixture

The Red Devil will get the 2024-25 Premier League season up and running against Fulham on Friday at Old Trafford

United will have until Thursday, August 15 at 12 pm to register the two defenders if they are to set to make their debuts in the opening day fixture

Meanwhile all the other Premier League sides will have until Friday, August 16 at 12 pm to register their players so they are eligible to debut in the opening weekend of the season