How to Play

New to fantasy football? This guide will take you from complete beginner to confident manager in no time.

Getting Started

Building Your Squad

Budget Management

You have £100 million to spend on your 15-player squad. Player prices range from £4.0m to £14.0m based on their quality and expected returns.

Squad Rules

You can also have a maximum of 3 players from any single real-world team.

Picking Players

When choosing players, consider:

• Form — How have they performed recently? (Last 5 matches)
• Fixtures — Are they playing easy or difficult opponents?
• Price — Are they good value for their cost?
• Ownership — How many other managers have them?
• Minutes — Do they play regularly?

Weekly Management

The Gameweek Cycle

Fantasy football runs in “gameweeks” that align with real match weeks:

1. Before Deadline — Make transfers, set lineup, pick captain
2. Deadline Locks — No more changes allowed
3. Match Days — Watch points accumulate live
4. Points Confirmed — Final scores and rankings updated

Making Transfers

Each gameweek you receive 1 free transfer. Here’s how they work:

• Unused free transfers roll over (maximum 2)
• Additional transfers cost 4 points each
• Transfer before price changes lock in profits
• Consider form, fixtures, and injuries

Setting Your Lineup

Before each deadline:

1. Review your team for injuries/suspensions
2. Check fixture difficulty
3. Arrange your bench in priority order (auto-subs fill in left-to-right)
4. Select your captain wisely

Chips & Strategy

Chips are powerful boosts you can activate at strategic moments during the season.

Wildcard (2 per season)

Effect: Make unlimited transfers without point deductions

Best used when:

• Major injury crisis in your squad
• Before a favorable fixture swing
• When you’re significantly behind template teams

Bench Boost (1 per season)

Effect: All 15 squad members score points (not just starting XI)

Best used when:

• Double gameweeks (teams play twice)
• When you have a strong, playing bench
• After using Wildcard to optimize full squad

Triple Captain (1 per season)

Effect: Your captain earns 3x points instead of 2x

Best used when:

• Premium player has excellent home fixture
• Double gameweeks for your captain
• High-confidence captaincy pick

Free Hit (1 per season)

Effect: Unlimited transfers for one gameweek only (team reverts after)

Best used when:

• Blank gameweeks (many teams not playing)
• Major injury crisis for one week
• Fixture pile-ups near season end

Leagues & Competition

Joining Leagues

Formation offers several league types:

Overall Ranking

• Automatic entry against all managers
• See your global, country, and regional rank

Private Leagues

• Create or join with a code
• Perfect for friends, family, coworkers
• Classic (total points) or Head-to-Head (weekly matchups)

Public Leagues

• Join open competitions
• Compete for prizes
• Monthly and seasonal challenges

Creating a Private League

Season-Long Strategy

Early Season (GW 1-8)

• Start conservatively with proven performers
• Avoid early transfers - wait for form to emerge
• Save your wildcard for when picture is clearer

Mid-Season (GW 9-24)

• Target fixture swings
• Use first wildcard before fixture turn
• Plan for holiday congestion

Run-In (GW 25-38)

• Monitor double gameweek announcements
• Save chips for optimal deployment
• Consider mini-league rivals’ moves

Quick Reference

Before Each Gameweek

• Check for injuries and suspensions
• Review press conferences for lineup hints
• Make any transfers before deadline
• Set your starting XI
• Arrange bench in priority order
• Choose captain and vice-captain
• Consider chip activation

Point-Scoring Summary

View full scoring system →