Fantasy Premier League has returned for 2025/26 with a number of rule changes including greater rewards for defensive contributions by players.

There will also be a total of eight chips for players to use across the season, while the Assistant Manager chip will not be returning.

Two elite global leagues have been created for managers who finished in the top one and 10 percent last time out, and help is on the way when squads are disrupted by the mid-season Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

101GreatGoals.com explains all the changes for 2025/26 FPL, including how the new rules will work and additions to the bonus points system.

Assists are being simplified for 2025/26 🅰️

This means we’ll see more assists awarded and more points for your side 💪#FPL pic.twitter.com/HF2QXJTFJA

— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) July 19, 2025

FPL rules 2025/26: How do defensive points work?

A defender who makes a combined total of 10 clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT) in a single match will score two FPL points.

Midfielders and forwards can receive the same bonus and will also have ball recoveries counted towards their total of defensive contributions (CBIRT), which means they need to make 12 defensive contributions to earn two points instead of 10.

The FPL reckon defenders from promoted clubs are likely to score the highest points here, while Everton’s James Tarkowski would have topped the table in 2024/25 and is described as “the most reliable backline asset” for defensive contribution points (DC) in recent seasons.

How do Fantasy chips work in FPL 2025/26?

Fantasy managers will now receive a Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain and Bench Boost chip to use in each half of the campaign.

The first set must be played before the Gameweek 19 deadline at 18:30 GMT on December 30, 2025. They cannot be carried over.

When to use FPL Triple Captain chip 2025/26

Wondering when to work that Triple Captain magic during the first half of the season? The FPL point out that Erling Haaland faces all three promoted sides at home during that period.

Mohamed Salah will be looking to score high at Anfield against play-off winners Sunderland in Gameweek 14 and Championship winners Leeds in Gameweek 19.

Bukayo Saka and Arsenal host Leeds in Gameweek 2 and Chelsea and Cole Palmer host the Black Cats in Gameweek 9.

When to use FPL Bench Boost chip 2025/26

The Bench Boost chip allows your entire matchday squad to score points, so it’s useful when your substitutes have kind-looking fixtures.

FPL suggest using it on Matchweek 1 could be a “strategic option”. “By following the form and teamsheets over each club’s summer friendlies, you could immediately make a strong start to the new season,” they add.

When to use FPL Free Hit chip 2025/26

The Free Hit chip is a way to change your team for one week only when players you don’t own have better-looking fixtures or your key players face each other.

The FPL again points to attackers when planning a strategy here, noting that Jarrod Bowen is likely to take on Burnley’s defence at home, as will Chris Wood against Leeds and Saka against Sunderland.

FPL 2025/26 elite global leagues

While this isn’t a concern for most players, the FPL has created two new leagues for the best managers in the game in 2025/26.

Managers who finished in the top 114,319 places last season have qualified for the Top 1% league. Bosses in the top 1,143,193 positions have to settle for the Top 10% league.

Fantasy assists rules, points for FPL 2025/26

Three extra points for an assist are usually awarded to the team-mate who touches the ball last before a player scores, but the definition of an assist has been “simplified” for 2025/26.

The idea is to “better recognise players for their contributions to goals” and “reduce the degree of subjectivity”. As long as the scorer receives the ball inside the box and there is a maximum of one defensive touch beforehand, an assist will be given.

There are various other stipulations involved, including a rule that scorers must be inside the box and that players can earn a Fantasy assist if they win a penalty or free-kick by making the last attacking action or touch. Read all about it here.

FPL 2025/26 transfers: AFCON rules

Extra free transfers will be available in Gameweek 16 to help managers deal with the effect on their squads of AFCON, which is likely to feature the likes of Egypt captain Salah and Manchester United and Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana.

The total number of free transfers for each team will be topped up to the maximum possible of five.

FPL team badges 2025/26

While most players spend an inordinate amount of time trying to come up with the wittiest team name, FPL is also encouraging players to think about their team badge.

The Premier League has entered a partnership with Adobe allowing managers to create badges using Adobe Express and its Firefly generative AI tool.

How have FPL bonus points changed for 2025/26 Fantasy?

The FPL Bonus Poins System uses numbers supplied by stats experts Opta to create a ‘performance score’ for each players.

This season, there are changes to the points awards for goalkeeper saves, goalline clearances, penalty goals and successful tackles.

When it comes to saves, for example, goalkeepers will earn three points if an effort is from inside the area or two points if it’s from outside the box.

The number of points for a goalline clearance has been tripled from three to nine. Read more about the bonus point changes here.

When does the 2025/26 Premier League season start and end?

The first round of Premier League matches in 2025/26 will be on the weekend of August 16 2025, starting with Liverpool at home to Bournemouth on Friday, August 15.

The last round of matches this season will all start at the same time on May 24 2026. No rounds will take place within 60 hours of each other and there will be no fixture on December 24.

How to watch the Premier League on TV: Sky Sports

Prices for Sky Sports and TNT Sports vary. Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £26 a month for a six-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.

Sky Sports memberships include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live streams and a dedicated channel.

How to watch the Premier League on TNT Sports

According to BT, TNT Sports costs £20 a month when bought with a broadband package or £30.99 a month without a contract.

Those prices include discovery+ Premium, which offers access to thousands of exclusive shows and originals.

Premier League live streams: How to watch games online

Both broadcasters have dedicated apps allowing fans to live-stream the games: SkyGO for Sky Sports and discovery+ for TNT Sports.

Both apps are available on a vast range of devices.