Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is a free official game where you pick 15 real Premier League players and score points from their real match stats each gameweek. You compete in a global league and private mini-leagues with friends. Each season runs from August to May across 38 gameweeks with a weekly transfer deadline.
This guide explains how FPL works, how points are scored, key terms, and how CrowdFPL helps you make picks using live community votes instead of guessing alone.
How FPL works
You get a £100m budget to build a squad of 15 players: 2 goalkeepers, 5 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 3 forwards. Only 11 start each gameweek; the other 4 sit on your bench.
Each gameweek has a deadline before the first kick-off. Changes before deadline count for that round. After deadline, your team is locked until the next gameweek opens.
You get one free transfer per gameweek. Extra moves cost 4 points each. Many managers save transfers for double gameweeks or when injuries force fixes.
Your captain scores double points; your vice-captain doubles if the captain plays zero minutes. Pick both every week.
Learn the product flow on how CrowdFPL works, then try a crowd duel when you are stuck between two players.
Squad rules at a glance
- Maximum 3 players from one Premier League club
- Valid formations require at least 3 defenders, 2 midfielders, and 1 forward in the starting XI
- Automatic substitutions replace non-playing starters with bench players if formation stays valid
FPL scoring explained
Points come from real match actions:
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Playing up to 60 minutes | 1 |
| Playing 60 minutes or more | 2 |
| Goal (GK) | 10 |
| Goal (DEF) | 6 |
| Goal (MID) | 5 |
| Goal (FWD) | 4 |
| Assist | 3 |
| Clean sheet (GK/DEF) | 4 |
| Clean sheet (MID*) | 1 |
| Every 3 saves (GK) | 1 |
| Penalty save | 5 |
| Defensive contributions (DEF: 10 CBIT / MID/FWD: 12 CBIRT) | 2 |
| Bonus (BPS system) | 1–3 |
| Penalty miss | −2 |
| Every 2 goals conceded (GK/DEF) | −1 |
| Yellow / red card | −1 / −3 |
| Own goal | −2 |
\*Goalkeepers, Defenders, and Midfielders need 60+ minutes for a clean sheet bonus.
Bonus points reward the best performers in a match using a BPS formula (passing, chances, defensive actions). They can swing tight gameweeks.
Defensive contribution points reward fullbacks and defensive mids for clearances, blocks, interceptions, tackles, and recoveries above a threshold.
Key FPL terms
New managers hear shorthand every week. Core terms:
- Template — players owned by a large share of top managers; safe but crowded.
- Differential — low-ownership pick that can move your rank if it hauls.
- Fixture — who a team plays; fixture difficulty guides targets.
- Blank / double gameweek — a team plays 0 or 2 times in a gameweek; chips and transfers hinge on this.
- Price rise / fall — player price changes with ownership; affects budget and team value.
- Effective ownership — combines your ownership and captaincy exposure in mini-leagues.
For a longer glossary see FPL terms explained.
Chips explained
Each manager gets two uses per season of special chips:
- Wildcard — unlimited free transfers for one gameweek.
- Free Hit — one-week squad reset; team reverts after the gameweek.
- Bench Boost — bench players score points.
- Triple Captain — captain points ×3 instead of ×2.
Chips interact with blank and double gameweeks. Plan them; do not burn Wildcard early without a reason.
How CrowdFPL helps you decide
Expert articles give opinions. CrowdFPL shows how managers vote on head-to-head choices and aggregated sentiment.
Example: two midfielders look similar on fixtures. A crowd duel reveals a live split when votes exist:
B.Fernandes vs Haaland
43% · 57% (7 votes)
Use crowd data as one input, not the only input. Combine with your team, fixtures, and risk appetite.
Explore all duels, browse crowd ratings, and join a private league to compare picks with friends.
Building your first squad
Start with players you know start most weeks. Spread budget across positions before loading up on one premium. Avoid three players from the same club unless fixtures align.
Use pre-season minutes as a rough guide, not gospel. After GW1–3, form becomes clearer. Revisit crowd rating when choosing between similar mids.
Transfers and team value
Your team value rises when owned players increase in price. Many managers take hits only for clear fixture swings or injuries. Plan around double gameweeks and avoid too many players who blank the same week.
Mini-leagues and social play
Most managers care about mini-leagues with friends. Join or create a league on CrowdFPL leagues and compare captain choices after deadline. Effective ownership in a small league can differ from global ownership.
Where to go next
- FPL terms glossary for shorthand
- Captaincy pillar when picking armbands
- How CrowdFPL works for product basics
- Duels hub to vote on live matchups
Scoring quirks worth knowing
Own goals deduct 2 points from the player who scored them in FPL. Defensive contribution points reward defenders and defensive mids for clearances and recoveries above a threshold. Bonus can flip a 2-point return into 5 or more.
Assists can be awarded or removed after official review; FPL updates accordingly. Check the official scoring rules each season for small rule tweaks.
Privacy and official game
CrowdFPL complements the official FPL game. You still register and manage your squad on the official site or app. CrowdFPL does not move your team for you; it helps decisions with crowd votes and duels.
Common beginner mistakes
Picking too many players from one team. Using Wildcard in GW1 without a plan. Ignoring bench order. Captaining before checking minutes news. Chasing last week's scorer on the bench.
Avoid these by reading this guide once, skimming terms, and checking duels when stuck between two picks.
Playing with friends
Create a league, share the code, and compare weekly scores. Leagues make FPL social. CrowdFPL leagues add context when you debate picks. Start on leagues after you build a squad on the official game.
Gameweek rhythm
Each gameweek follows the same rhythm: deadline, matches, points update, price changes, repeat. Most managers make transfers Tuesday to Friday and finalize captain Friday. Crowd activity peaks Thursday and Friday on duels.
Between gameweeks, scan injuries and European rotation. Do not rebuild every week unless data supports it. Patience beats constant hits for many beginners.
Reading FPL media responsibly
Podcasts and social posts offer opinions. CrowdFPL offers aggregated choices from managers who vote on duels. Combine both: use media for news, use crowd data for consensus checks. Neither replaces your squad context.
When a headline says "must-have" or "essential captain," ask whether the crowd agrees on the relevant duel. Disagreement is a signal to think harder, not to ignore the pick automatically.
Safety and responsible play
FPL is a game. Set time boundaries around deadline stress. Avoid chasing losses with reckless hits. Use crowd data to feel informed, not obligated to follow every majority.
If you step away mid-season, friends in your league keep playing. You can rejoin next season with a clean slate. The official game resets each year; skills carry over even when rank resets.
Summary
Fantasy Premier League is a weekly prediction game on real player stats. You pick 15 players, cap one for double points, and compete in leagues. CrowdFPL layers community votes on head-to-head choices so you see live consensus before you decide.
Start on the official game, read how it works, browse duels, and use this guide plus terms when jargon appears. Welcome to the season.
FAQ
When does FPL start?
Each season starts before Gameweek 1 in August. Registration stays open all season. Deadlines are weekly before the first match of each gameweek.
How many transfers do I get?
One free transfer per gameweek, rolling up to a maximum of 5 if unused. Each extra transfer costs 4 points.
What is a differential in FPL?
A differential is a player owned by a relatively small share of managers. If they score big, you gain rank on the template. If they blank, you lose ground.
Can I play FPL for free?
Yes. The official game is free. CrowdFPL adds community votes and duels on top; core FPL remains free on the official site.
Do I need to watch every match?
No, but checking line-ups near deadline avoids benching players who do not start. Crowd splits update through the week as managers react to news.
How do I improve quickly as a beginner?
Focus on minutes and fixtures before flair picks. Use one transfer most weeks. Compare close calls on duels. Read the captaincy guide when you pick armbands. Improvement comes from process, not one lucky week.
What is the difference between FPL and CrowdFPL?
FPL is the official Fantasy Premier League game run by the Premier League. CrowdFPL is a companion platform where managers vote on head-to-head player duels and browse crowd ratings to inform picks. You still manage your FPL team on the official site.