How Does Fantasy Premier League Work?

How Does Fantasy Premier League Work?

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is the official fantasy football game of the English Premier League — and it's absolutely massive, with millions of managers competing every season. But how exactly does it work?

If you're just getting started, here's a complete breakdown.


1. Build Your Squad

Each FPL manager starts with a budget of £100 million to build a 15-player squad:

  • 2 goalkeepers
  • 5 defenders
  • 5 midfielders
  • 3 forwards

Each player is priced based on their real-life performance and potential.


2. Weekly Starting XI

Before each gameweek deadline (usually 90 minutes before the first kickoff), you pick:

  • 11 starters
  • 1 captain (scores double)
  • 1 vice-captain (steps in if your captain doesn’t play)

Players on your bench will automatically be subbed in if someone in your starting XI doesn't play.


3. Points System

Players earn points based on their real-life performance. Here's how it breaks down:

  • Goals, assists, clean sheets, and saves earn points.
  • Yellow/red cards, own goals, and penalties missed cost you points.
  • Bonus points are awarded to top-performing players in each match.

Example: A midfielder who scores a goal gets 5 points, while a clean sheet by a defender earns 4 points.


4. Transfers and Chips

Each gameweek, you get:

  • 1 free transfer (saveable up to 5 in 2024/25)
  • Additional transfers cost -4 points per move

You also have special chips to use strategically:

  • Wildcard: Unlimited transfers
  • Bench Boost: All 15 players score
  • Triple Captain: Your captain scores 3x points
  • Free Hit: Temporary team for 1 week

5. Leagues and Rivalries

The real fun begins when you join or create mini-leagues with friends, coworkers, or communities.

You can track your:

  • League rank
  • Head-to-head results
  • Live scores (with apps like FPL.fun 😉)

6. Gameweeks

The season is divided into Gameweeks (usually 38), and each one brings new fixtures, transfer decisions, and captain dilemmas.

A strong gameweek can shoot you up your mini-league — or leave you needing a wildcard.


7. Strategy and Planning

Winning at FPL isn't just about picking stars. It’s about:

  • Monitoring fixture difficulty
  • Watching for double and blank gameweeks
  • Rotating budget players
  • Tracking price rises and drops

8. Where to Play

You can play Fantasy Premier League for free at:

You’ll also find tons of companion tools and communities. For live stats, bonus point updates, and instant mini-league standings, check out FPL.fun — built for banter and bragging rights.


Final Thoughts

Fantasy Premier League is simple to start and endlessly deep once you dive in. Whether you're aiming for top 10k or just trying to beat your friends, understanding the rules and strategies is key.

Now that you know how FPL works, go pick your squad — and enjoy the ride!


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