FPL 2025/26: The new rules – explanation and strategy

The new FPL season changes the game significantly: more chips, points for defensive actions, clearer assist rules, extra transfers due to AFCON and adjusted bonus point system. Below you’ll find an overview – explained in practice and with concrete strategy tips.

Quick overview

• Two sets of chips: Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain and Bench Boost can all be used twice – one set in GW1-19 and one set in GW20-38. Only one chip per gameweek. First set expires at GW19 deadline.
• Defensive Contributions: New points for defensive actions. Defenders get +2 points for 10 CBIT (clearances, blocks, interceptions, tackles). Midfielders/forwards get +2 points for 12 CBIRT (CBIT + ball recoveries). CAPPET to max +2 per game.
• Assists simplified: More situations now give assists – especially deflections/deflections and passes that reach a goal scorer in the box.
• AFCON special rule: In GW16, your free transfers are automatically topped up to 5 (regardless of what you had).
• Bonus Point System (BPS) updated: New weighting of tackles, goalkeeper saves (depending on shot location), penalty goals in BPS and saves on the line.

Two sets of chips – how it works

You have 8 chips in total:

• 2× Wildcard
• 2× Free Hit
• 2× Triple Captain
• 2× Bench Boost

Validity:

• Set 1: GW1-GW19
• Set 2: GW20-GW38
• Important: Set 1 cannot be carried over and expires at the GW19 deadline. You can only play one chip per round.

The Assistant Manager chip has been removed.

Practical notes:

• Free Hit in GW19 and again in GW20 does not work (the team is recreated for the first Free Hit of the round).
• Think of Set 1 as a toolbox for form/fixtures in the fall – not just for DGWs (which typically come later).

Strategic ideas (first half):

• Early Wildcard: Allows you to respond aggressively to shape and price changes.
• Bench Boost in GW1 (optional): If you have 15 safe starters, you can “burn” the chip early and focus the budget on XI afterwards.
• Triple Captain against promoters/home: Hit a strong premium in a favorable spot.

Defensive contributions (CBIT/CBIRT) – who wins?

This is how points are awarded:

• Defenders: +2 points for 10 combined CBIT (clearances, blocks, interceptions, tackles).
• Midfielders/forwards: +2 points at 12 CBIRT (CBIT + ball recoveries).
• Capped: Max +2 per match (just like GK saves points are capped per intervals).

Profiles that get a boost:

• Defensive midfielders: Palhinha types, Caicedo, Nørgaard, etc.
• Centerbacks: Tarkowski, Bednarek, Murillo, Konsa – often lots of CBIT.
• High pressure forwards: Watkins/Núñez types can hit 12 in some games via pressure and recoveries.

Tip: You can follow whether a player has hit the threshold live on the match pages in the app/website (new “Defensive Contribution” section).

Assists – more predictable (and more of them)

Main lines:

• Deflections/deflections can still give assists, especially when the ball ends up with the goal scorer in the box (intended receiver means less in the box).
• Outside the box, the assessment remains whether the pass was intended for the goal scorer.
• There are specific exceptions (e.g. multiple defensive touches or deliberate defensive pass voids the assist).
• The direction is clear: more assists and less doubt.

Consequence: Expect slightly higher and more stable points from creative profiles (Saka/Edegaard/Bruno types). xA becomes an even better tool.

AFCON 2025 – 5 free transfers in GW16

• Dates for the final round (Morocco): December 21, 2025 – January 18, 2026.
• To help managers who lose players during the period, your free transfers will be topped up to 5 in GW16 (automatically).
• Plan: Map risk profiles (African national team stars in your squad) and use GW16 as a mini-wildcard to shape the team for January.

Bonus Point System (BPS) – the most important tweaks

• Tackles: No longer “net tackles”. Each tackle won gives +2 BPS.
• Goalkeeper saves: BPS depends on shot location – +3 if shot is in the box, +2 if outside. Penalty kick saves give +8 BPS (and a total of 11 including save in box).
• Penalty goals (BPS): A scored penalty kick now gives +12 BPS regardless of position (previously forwards gave more).
• Rescue on the line: +9 BPS (up from +3).

Playable effects:

• Keepers can sneak in bonuses more often, especially against teams that shoot a lot in the box.
• DM/backs with many tackles won can more easily grab the bonus.
• Penalty merchants lose some “free” bonus fun compared to previously.

Concrete strategy advice

1. Use your first Wildcard offensively
Don’t save it “just in case”. Use it to jump on the form, fix errors and optimize structure/pricing.

2. Scout for “Defensive Contributions”-profiles
Search for CBs with high CBIT and DMs with many recoveries. Cheap rotation CBs and hard-working 6s can now be real value picks.

3. Prepare for AFCON
Keep track of potential withdrawals and travel time. Use the 5 free in GW16 as a scheduled reset with no hits.

4. chip plan for fall (example)

• GW3-6: Early Wildcard.
• GW7-12: Triple Captain in a premium home showdown.
• GW1 or GW10-14: Bench Boost if the entire bench is playable.
• A single Free Hit to attack a tricky round (e.g. when your premiums meet each other).

Remember: You can only play one chip per round.

Extra: New elite leagues

Two global elite leagues have been introduced this year: one for managers who finished in the top 1% and one for the top 10% last season. An extra carrot – and a nice benchmark for ambition.

FAQ

What chips will I have in 2025/26 – and for how long?

You have two of each (Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain, Bench Boost). Set 1 is valid through GW19 deadline; set 2 from GW20. No Assistant Manager this year.

Can I use multiple chips in the same round?

No – maximum one chip per gameweek.

What counts for defensive contributions?

Defense: CBIT (clearances, blocks, interceptions, tackles).
Center/attack: CBIRT (CBIT + ball recoveries). Threshold: 10 for defense, 12 for mid/attack. CAPPET at +2 per game.

Are there really more assists?

Yes – the rules have been simplified so that more situations now trigger assists (especially in the box). Result: more and fairer assists.

What happens in GW16?

Your free transfers are topped up to 5 as AFCON help.

How is BPS adjusted?

In short: tackles won = +2, keeper saves are weighted by shot location, penalty goals = +12 BPS for all positions, goalline clearance = +9 BPS.

When do chips from the first half expire?

By GW19 deadline (December 30, 2025 at 18:30 GMT).

2025/26 rewards hard-working players and active planning. Leverage the first chipset this fall, scout for CBIT/CBIRT profiles and use GW16 as a mini-reset. You’ll be ahead of the game once the rest of the league starts to react.