We are here with our complete beginners' guide on how to play Fantasy Premier League 26-27. Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is back for the 2026/27 season, giving millions of football fans the chance to test their managerial skills against friends and players from around the world. Whether you're completely new to the game or returning after a break, understanding the basics can give you a significant advantage.
This beginner's guide explains everything you need to know about building your squad, scoring points, making transfers, using chips, and competing in leagues.
Building Your Squad
After signing up for Fantasy Premier League, every manager receives a £100.0 million budget to build a squad of 15 players.
Your squad must include:
- 2 Goalkeepers
- 5 Defenders
- 5 Midfielders
- 3 Forwards
You can select a maximum of three players from the same Premier League club, meaning you'll need to spread your budget wisely across the league.
A balanced squad is usually the safest approach for beginners. Avoid spending too much on a few superstars, as injuries and fixture swings can quickly affect your team's performance.
Selecting Your Starting XI
Before every gameweek deadline, you must pick your starting XI from your 15-man squad.
Your team must always include the following:
- 1 Goalkeeper
- At least 3 Defenders
- At least 2 Midfielders
- At least 1 Forward
The remaining positions can be filled depending on your preferred formation.
You'll also need to arrange your three outfield substitutes in order of priority. If one of your starting players doesn't feature for their club, the highest-ranked substitute who played will automatically replace them.
Don't forget to select both a captain and a vice-captain. Your captain scores double points, while the vice-captain takes over if your captain doesn't play.
The deadline for every gameweek is 90 minutes before the first match kicks off, so make sure your team is locked in before then.
How Players Score Points
Your players earn points based on their real-life performances.
Some of the main ways players score include the following:
- Goals
- Assists
- Clean Sheets
- Saves (Goalkeepers)
- Bonus Points through the Bonus Points System (BPS)
Only your starting XI scores points, unless an automatic substitution is triggered because one of your starters doesn't play.
Choosing consistent performers and favorable fixtures is one of the biggest keys to long-term success in FPL.
Making Transfers
After the first gameweek deadline, managers receive one free transfer before each new gameweek.
This allows you to replace one player without any penalty, provided you stay within your available budget.
If you make additional transfers beyond your free allocation, each extra move costs four points, commonly known as taking a "points hit."
Unused free transfers can be carried forward, allowing you to have up to five free transfers available. However, you cannot save more than five.
Planning transfers in advance often helps avoid unnecessary points deductions.
Understanding Player Price Changes
Player prices fluctuate throughout the season depending on how many managers are buying or selling them.
For example, a player who starts at £7.0m may rise to £7.5m if enough managers transfer him in.
When selling players, however, managers only receive 50% of the profit, rounded down to the nearest £0.1m.
Using the previous example, a player who rises from £7.0m to £7.5m would only sell for £7.2m.
Building team value throughout the season can make it easier to afford premium players later on.
Using FPL Chips
FPL includes several powerful chips that can dramatically increase your score when used wisely.
Wildcard
The Wildcard lets you make unlimited transfers in a single gameweek without losing points. It is available twice each season, once during each half of the campaign.
Free Hit
The free hit allows you to completely change your squad for just one gameweek. After that gameweek ends, your original team automatically returns.
Bench Boost
Normally only your starting XI scores points. Bench Boost changes this by counting the points from all four substitutes as well.
Triple Captain
Instead of earning double points, your captain earns triple points, making it one of the highest-impact chips in the game.
Remember, only one chip can be activated in any single gameweek, so timing is crucial.
Joining Leagues
One of the best parts of Fantasy Premier League is competing against others.
Managers can:
- Create private leagues with friends and family.
- Join up to 25 private leagues.
- Enter up to five public leagues with randomly assigned managers.
Private leagues use unique invitation codes, making them perfect for workplace competitions, family rivalries, or football fan communities.
Beginner Tips for Success
If you're just starting out, keep these simple tips in mind:
- Prioritize players with favorable fixtures.
- Avoid making unnecessary points-hit transfers.
- Always set your captain before the deadline.
- Check for injuries and team news before every game week.
- Save your chips for Double or Blank gameweeks whenever possible.
- Stay patient, FPL is a marathon, not a sprint.
Final Thoughts
Fantasy Premier League is easy to learn but difficult to master. Success comes from making smart transfers, choosing the right captain, managing your budget, and using your chips strategically throughout the season.
Whether you're aiming to beat your friends or climb the global rankings, understanding these core rules will give you the perfect foundation for the 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League season. Good luck, and may your captain haul every gameweek!
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