There is no formal requirement to play a specific number of games to receive a Premier League medal. Instead, Premier League clubs typically award medals to squad members who have contributed to a title-winning season, with eligibility usually determined by appearance thresholds set by individual clubs rather than the league itself.
Historically, the most common benchmark has been appearing in at least 5 league matches during the winning season, though clubs retain discretion over this threshold. Some clubs have awarded medals to players with minimal appearances or even those who didn't play at all but were part of the squad. The exact criteria can vary by club and season.
When a team wins the Premier League, medals are manufactured and distributed, but the league doesn't mandate a universal games-played requirement. Managers and club officials decide which squad members deserve recognition based on their contributions, whether through playing time, training, injury recovery, or overall squad depth. Young academy players, long-term injured players, and substitutes who barely featured sometimes receive medals depending on the club's philosophy.
This differs from some other leagues with explicit regulations. The Premier League leaves it as an internal club decision, which is why you might see variations between teams in the same season. A player at one title-winning club might receive a medal with 2 appearances, while another club's threshold could be higher. The flexibility reflects the idea that winning a league title is a squad effort rather than an individual achievement.