What Is Fantasy Premier League? FPL 2026/27 Beginner’s Guide
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is the Premier League’s official free-to-play Fantasy football game, allowing fans to build their own squad using real Premier League players.
Your Fantasy points are determined by how those players perform in actual Premier League matches. Goals, assists, clean sheets and other contributions can all help your team score points.
More than 13 million managers played FPL last season, making it one of the biggest Fantasy football games in the world.
How Does Fantasy Premier League Work?
Every FPL manager receives a £100 million budget to build a squad of 15 players.
Your squad consists of:
- 11 starting players
- Four substitutes
You can build your own dream team featuring Premier League stars such as Erling Haaland, Bruno Fernandes and Cole Palmer, as long as you remain within the £100m budget.
Managers can also buy and sell players during the season to react to form, injuries and upcoming fixtures.
How Do Players Score FPL Points?
FPL points are based on what happens in real Premier League matches.
Players can earn points for goals, assists, clean sheets, saves, defensive contributions and bonus points.
This means even a Premier League match involving two clubs you do not support can suddenly become important if you own one of their players in FPL.
Why Is Captaincy Important?
Each Gameweek, you must select one player as your captain.
Your captain earns double points, making the decision one of the most important parts of Fantasy Premier League.
Choosing an in-form player with a favourable fixture can make a major difference to your Gameweek score and overall ranking.
Compete With Friends in Mini-Leagues
FPL is not only about competing against millions of managers around the world.
You can also create private mini-leagues with friends, family members and colleagues.
A single goal, assist or late clean-sheet loss can completely change your mini-league standings, adding extra excitement to every Premier League weekend.
Can Beginners Do Well in FPL?
Absolutely.
More than 13 million people played FPL last season, but experience does not guarantee success. According to the Premier League, last season’s overall champion was playing Fantasy Premier League for the first time.
For beginners, the key is to build a balanced squad, follow player form and injuries, study upcoming fixtures and make smart captaincy decisions.
What Is New for FPL 2026/27?
Fantasy Premier League is already live for the 2026/27 season.
Managers once again start with a £100m budget, while beginners can also receive assistance when selecting their initial squad.
There have also been adjustments to areas such as the Bonus Points System, while Fantasy chips remain an important part of the game.
Are There FPL Prizes?
Yes. FPL offers weekly, monthly and season-long prizes.
Rewards announced for this season include a seven-night UK break, Premier League match hospitality, EA SPORTS FC and a Microsoft laptop.
For many managers, however, the biggest reward remains the bragging rights that come with beating friends and winning a private mini-league.
Final Thoughts
Fantasy Premier League makes every Premier League match more exciting.
You get £100m to build a 15-player squad, choose your starting XI, select a captain and manage transfers throughout the season.
Whether you are following Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea or any other Premier League club, FPL gives you another reason to follow every Gameweek.
For anyone starting for the first time, the 2026/27 season is a perfect opportunity to enter the world of Fantasy Premier League.