FPL 2026: What’s New in Fantasy Premier League This Season

8 January 2026 Sports

Why FPL Matters to Football Fans

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) has become an essential part of the football experience for millions of fans worldwide. Fantasy Premier League is back for 2025/26, and there are exciting changes to the game this season. As we enter 2026, the game continues to evolve with innovative features that reward strategic thinking and deeper football knowledge, making it more engaging than ever for both casual players and serious competitors.

Major Changes Transforming FPL in 2026

The current season has introduced several groundbreaking modifications to enhance gameplay. This season, any defender who reaches a combined total of 10 clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT) in a single match will score two FPL points. Additionally, Fantasy managers will now have TWO sets of chips in the 2025/26 season. They will have a Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain and Bench Boost chip to use in each half of the campaign, meaning eight chips in total. These changes have significantly altered team selection strategies and increased scoring opportunities.

Current Gameweek Insights

The second set of chips in 2025/26 Fantasy are now available for managers to use after the Gameweek 19 deadline passed on Tuesday 30 December at 18:00 GMT. Recent gameweeks have seen dramatic price movements, with Thiago rising to £7.0m after a 17-point haul and Tarkowski up to £5.7m, while Foden drops to £8.8m. Popular captain choices include Erling Haaland (£15.1m) retaining the armband, with the in-form Ollie Watkins (£8.7m) named as vice-captain.

Strategic Implications for FPL Managers

The introduction of defensive contribution points has fundamentally changed player valuations, particularly benefiting defenders who actively contribute to their team’s play. The doubled chip allocation provides managers with greater flexibility to navigate blank and double gameweeks throughout the season. With clubs making signings during the January transfer window, new recruits are being added to Fantasy Premier League, presenting fresh opportunities for savvy managers to gain an advantage. These innovations ensure FPL remains dynamic and competitive, keeping millions of players engaged throughout the 2025/26 campaign.