2025 Signing Window Explained: How does it all work? 

The signing window allowed teams to fully form their squads by bringing in players from other clubs or reinstate those who have played for their club in the previous season. At the conclusion of the signing window an announcement day will follow on Wednesday 4 September where clubs will share the news of their squad players for the new season across Sky Sports News and Sky Sports social channels.    

If the NSL is new to you or you just need a reminder as to how things work, we have collated everything you need to know ahead of an exciting day of announcements.  

When did the signing window open and close?   

The signing window dates were agreed in collaboration with clubs to suit their needs during this period. 

For 2025, the signing window opened on Monday 1 July and clubs were given until 5pm on Friday 23 August to register 10 players.  

This is a formal registration period that takes place between NSL clubs and the NSL where vital documents and procedures must be submitted and followed for the players to be eligible to compete in the upcoming season. This includes contracts, medical insurance forms, right to work checks and visa checks (for overseas players).  

Why is there a delay between signing and announcing players?  

Once each player has been fully registered, they are ‘ready to be announced’. As you can imagine with 80 players across eight clubs, updated imagery, graphics and content to produce this process can often be long, so to support clubs the signing window is a separate timeframe to then allow the time and space to prepare for their squad announcements.  

All eight squads will then be revealed across one day on Wednesday 4 September. 

On this day, clubs, supported by NSL, Sky Sports and the wider news outlets, build excitement, share stories and reveal their exciting new line ups ahead of the new season. With two new teams in the fold for 2025 and every player up for grabs, make sure you’re following all the NSL social channels along with your favourite clubs to see who will go where for the new season.  

How large can squads be?  

Each club must have a total of 10 registered players in their squad. New for next season, each club will also form an Under 23’s competition squad where NSL teams can draw from in case of injury. Where clubs need temporary replacement players (for short term unforeseen circumstances) they must be drawn from their own franchise squads whereas clubs have the flexibility to draw from ANY squad in the league for permanent replacements. 

Key features of the Under 23 League will include: 

The league will feature nine teams in total. Eight teams will be aligned to the new NSL Clubs: Birmingham Panthers, LexisNexis Cardiff Dragons, Leeds Rhinos, London Mavericks, London Pulse, Loughborough Lightning, Manchester Thunder and Nottingham Forest Netball. In addition, Team Bath have also been granted a license to participate in this brand-new league. 

The final Under 23 squads will be confirmed in late September/early October, with the season starting in February 2025. 

All teams will play each other twice (home and away) and fixtures will align to NSL matches where possible. 

Squads will have a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 20 players. 

Squads can include up to four players over the age of 23 years, to support and enhance the quality of the competition, whilst protecting opportunities for developing athletes. This will also enable the continuation of elite competition for some current NSL players who will not be competing in the relaunched League. 

Players competing in the Under 23 League can be called up to act as Temporary Replacement Players in the NSL (for their own franchise) where a match fee and short-term medical insurance will be covered for them along with remuneration for any additional NSL requirements. 

Match day squads consist of the 10 Registered Players, with additional players only being drafted into a match day squad due to ‘short term circumstances’ such as injury or illness.   

Who can clubs sign for the NSL?  

Each club must have a total of 10 registered players in their squad. Following the conclusion of the 2024 season, on Monday 1 July, teams could start approaching players from other clubs as well as players who may have held a spot in their 2024 squad (if applicable). 

Squads are made up of mainly UK athletes, but each side is allowed to register two non-UK players. However, these players cannot play in the same area of the court at the same time in any game (i.e. GS and GA, C, WA and WD, GD and GK).  

No Team may include a Player who shall have been aged below 16 years old at 5.00pm on the date on which registration forms are submitted to NSL Co without the prior written consent of NSL Co. 

What were the key signings from last year?  

Last summer proved to be one of the most eagerly anticipated yet as the 2024 Signing Window was one to behold.  

Several big names either joined the league, came back to the NSL after some time away or transferred between NSL teams; all of which made a huge impact on the season.  

Arguably the biggest signing of the year saw the eagerly anticipated return to the NSL of England legend Geva Mentor, as she took up a spot with Liana Leota’s Leeds Rhinos line up.  

Refresh yourself with our full round up of the 2024 movements. 

Where can I keep up to date with all signings?  

For news on all of the latest signings during the window, make sure to tune into Sky Sports News and follow @SkySports and the @NetballSL on X,  Instagram and TikTok  and subscribe to our newsletter.  

For specific club news, be sure to be across all eight of our teams on their respective social media accounts.  

We will also be covering each signing in full on our website, offering hourly round-ups and key transfer information. Don’t miss out!  

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