Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions last season, while Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley have returned to the top flight.
With six English clubs -Newcastle, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham - qualifying for the expanded UEFA Champions League, there’s even more incentive for Fantasy managers to stay on top of their game. Here’s a full breakdown of what’s new in FPL for 2025/26.
Defensive contributions now earn FPL points
In a move that rewards off-the-ball excellence, outfield players can now score Fantasy points
for defensive contributions.
- Defenders will get 2 FPL points if they rack up a combined total of 10 clearances, blocks, interceptions or tackles in a single match.
- Midfielders and forwards will need 12 defensive contributions, with ball recoveries included in their tally to earn the same reward.
This change is expected to shine a light on ball-winning midfielders and proactive centre-backs - players like James Tarkowski and Moises Caicedo could become viable budget options.
Two sets of chips in one FPL season
Arguably, the most eye-catching tweak: Fantasy managers will now have two full sets of chips.
- You’ll get a Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain and Bench Boost for each half of the season.
- That’s eight chips in total — but no Assistant Manager chip.
The first set must be used before the Gameweek 19 deadline at 18:30 GMT on Tuesday, 30 December. Any unused chips by then will not carry over.
Elite global leagues introduced to FPL
Two new competitive leagues have been added for elite performers:
- One league is for managers who finished in the top 1% globally last season.
- The other is for those in the top 10% globally.
If you made the cut, you’ll be auto-enrolled. For others, this adds a new level of motivation — bragging rights and elite-tier competition.
Clearer assist rules in FPL
Assists have always been a grey area in FPL, but that’s about to change. The criteria have been simplified:
- Fantasy assists will now better reflect clear contributions to goals.
- The updated definition cuts down on subjective decisions, making it easier to anticipate points.
If these changes were in place last season, 41 additional assists would’ve been awarded. Creative players could get more consistent returns under the new framework.
Bonus tweaks to help with AFCON planning
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) always causes Fantasy headaches. This season, FPL is easing the burden:
- In Gameweek 16, all managers will be given five free transfers, regardless of how many they had before.
- This gives everyone a fair shot at restructuring squads ahead of player departures.
It’s a welcome boost, especially for managers with heavy investment in African internationals.
Bonus Points System adjustments in FPL
FPL’s Bonus Points System (BPS) will also see several stat-weighting changes:
- Goalkeeper saves, goal-line clearances, penalty goals, and successful tackles will now have different values.
- The tweaks aim to more accurately reward key moments in matches.
While the core BPS formula remains, these subtle changes could mean surprise bonus hauls for previously overlooked players.
Personalised team badges
Thanks to a new collaboration with Adobe, FPL managers can now design their own team badge using Adobe Express and Firefly AI tools.
It’s a fun cosmetic update, but also a way for managers to stamp their identity on mini-leagues and head-to-heads.
Final thoughts
The 2025-26 FPL season promises to be one of the most strategic yet. With more chips, clearer rules and extra incentives for elite managers, there’s plenty to get excited about. These changes level the playing field and reward active, engaged play - especially around key events like AFCON or the chip deadlines.
With newly promoted sides like Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley shaking up the fixture pool, and six teams all in the Champions League, early planning is more crucial than ever. One thing’s certain - it’s time to get your spreadsheets ready and your watchlists updated. Game on!
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