Published : 01 Aug 2025, 11:49 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 01:35 PM
The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is back, leaving managers scrambling to build their 15-player squads before the Gameweek 1 deadline at 11:30pm on Aug 15.
With PremierLeague.com unveiling a bunch of exciting updates for the 2025/26 season, here's everything you need to know.
DEFENSIVE CONTRIBUTIONS
From the new season, the outfield players will be given points for their defensive contributions in the match.
In terms of contributions, FPL will count clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT) and any defender who contributes 10 CBIT will get two points.
For midfielders and forwards, in addition to their CBIT, their “ball recoveries” will also be considered (CBIRT) and any player who makes 12 CBIRT will get two points.
TWO SETS OF CHIPS
Unlike the previous season, Fantasy Managers will now have two sets of chips in the 2025/26 season.
Usually, a Fantasy Manager has a Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain and Bench Boost chip in their disposals and from now on these chips can be used in each half of the campaign, meaning eight chips in total.
TWO NEW LEAGUES
In the 2025/26 season, two new leagues have been introduced: one exclusively for managers who ranked in the global top one percent last season, and another for those who placed in the top 10 percent.
NEW ASSISTS RULES
For the 2025/26 FPL season, assist rules are simplified: an assist is awarded if the goalscorer receives the ball inside the penalty box with only one defensive touch, regardless of the pass’s intended target.
No assist is given if the defensive touch is a pass, if the goalscorer loses and regains possession, or if there are multiple defensive touches.
For balls received outside the box, the old rule requiring the goalscorer to be the intended target applies.
Defensive errors no longer prevent assists unless the error is a pass, and the “forced” handball requirement is removed for penalties or free-kicks scored after a handball.
The new assist rules would have added 41 more assists last season.
EXTRA TRANSFERS FOR AFCON
FPL managers will receive additional free transfers in Gameweek 16 to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) this season.
In Gameweek 16, the total number of free transfers will increase to a maximum of five, as some players may depart early for the tournament.
TEAM BADGES
The Premier League’s new Adobe partnership lets managers design unique team badges with Adobe Express and its Firefly AI tool.
CHANGES TO BONUS POINTS SYSTEM
The Bonus Points System (BPS) plays a key role in FPL, assigning bonus points for each match.
The BPS uses Opta statistics to track on-pitch actions, generating a performance score for every player.
This season, changes to points for goalkeeper saves, goal-line clearances, penalty goals, and successful tackles could help Fantasy managers gain more points.
