Can I play for two clubs in the same league, or transfer during the season?
Rule- England
- England Football
- FA Handbook 2026-27
- Adult football
- Open age (16+)
- Sunday league
- Grassroots
- 2026/27
- Players
Under the FA Standard Code of Rules for open age football:
Two clubs in one league: not allowed. It's a breach of the rules to play for more than one club in the same league in a season without first being transferred, or to register for a second club in the league except to transfer. If you're registered with two clubs, the first valid registration counts.
Transferring mid-season:
- Your new club submits a transfer notification to the league through The FA's Player Registration System (a fee may apply).
- The league tells your current club, which has 3 days to object in writing.
- If it agrees, or doesn't object in time, the league can approve the transfer and you can play for the new club from the date your league's rules set.
- If it objects, the league's management committee decides.
Other limits:
- Leagues set a date after which no new registrations or transfers are allowed without special permission.
- If your club cancels your registration, you can't re-register in that league for a period set in its rules.
- Players moving from Wales, Scotland, Ireland or abroad may need an International Transfer Certificate.
Added 21 Oct 2026