Everything new in FPL for 2026/27 — every rule change explained
FPL's changes for 2026/27 are live points that update during matches, a rebalanced bonus points system, an official price-prediction tool, a later Gameweek lockdown at 09:00 the morning after the final match, and a built-in squad-building assistant. The chips are unchanged — still two sets of four, with the first set expiring at the Gameweek 19 deadline.
Every summer FPL tweaks the game, and 2026/27 has a healthy batch of changes — some cosmetic, some that genuinely affect how you play. Here's the full list in plain English, and what each one actually means for you. If you're completely new, start with how to play Fantasy Premier League and come back for the changes.
Live points during matches
You can now watch your points move while matches are being played — appearance points, goals, assists, clean sheets and defensive contributions all tick over live, and your mini-league standings update in real time too. Projected bonus points appear after twenty minutes of a match and shift as the game goes on.
What it means for you: mostly it's just more fun. The one watch-out is that live bonus is a projection — it can change before it's confirmed, so don't celebrate (or despair) too early.
A reworked bonus points system
The Bonus Points System — the way the three extra points at the end of each match get handed out — has been rebalanced. The main aim was to stop a player double-dipping by racking up bonus and defensive-contribution points off the same actions, and to give goalkeepers, full-backs and attackers a fairer shot at bonus.
What it means for you: attacking returns and standout goalkeeping are a little better rewarded in the bonus race than they were. It's a nudge, not a revolution. The separate defensive contribution points are unchanged, and their thresholds are worth knowing.
A price-prediction tool
FPL has added its own price-prediction tool that tracks transfer activity and flags which players are likely to rise or fall in price, updating each day at midnight UK time.
What it means for you: you no longer need a third-party site to guess price changes. Handy, but don't let it drive your decisions — chasing price rises is one of the classic beginner traps.
A later Gameweek lockdown
Final scores used to lock in about an hour after the last match. Now the lockdown moves to 09:00 UK time the morning after the final match. The extra time lets the stats provider double-check its data.
What it means for you: fewer of those annoying moments where a bonus point or defensive point gets added or removed hours later. Your final score is more likely to be right first time.
A squad-building assistant
There's now a built-in assistant for picking your initial squad. Answer a few quick questions about how you want to play and it'll suggest a team for you — aimed at newer managers who don't want to stare at a blank £100m squad.
What it means for you: a gentler on-ramp if you're new. It's a starting point, though, not a finished team — you'll still want to make it your own.
What hasn't changed: the chips
The chips are the same as last season. You get two sets across the campaign — a Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain and Bench Boost in each half — eight in total, one per Gameweek, and the first set must be used before the Gameweek 19 deadline. If chips are new to you, we've explained all four and when to use them in our chips guide.
So what actually matters?
If you only remember three things: live bonus is a projection so don't trust it fully, the later lockdown means fewer score surprises, and the price tool is useful but shouldn't be steering your transfers. The rest is polish.
Frequently asked questions
When does FPL 2026/27 start? The Gameweek 1 deadline is Friday 21 August 2026 at 18:30 UK time.
Have the chips changed for 2026/27? No. It's still two sets of four chips — Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain, Bench Boost — with the first set expiring at the Gameweek 19 deadline.
What is the new price tool? An official FPL feature that predicts which players will rise or fall in price, updated daily at midnight UK time.
When do Gameweek scores now finalise? At 09:00 UK time the morning after the Gameweek's final match.
New rules, same challenge: turning all of it into the right call for your team, every week. That's what coachme is for — we keep track of the fixtures, form and fitness so you don't have to, and give you a clear steer before each deadline. Try it free.
Questions
- When does FPL 2026/27 start?
- The Gameweek 1 deadline is Friday 21 August 2026 at 18:30 UK time.
- Have the chips changed for 2026/27?
- No. It's still two sets of four chips — Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain, Bench Boost — with the first set expiring at the Gameweek 19 deadline.
- What is the new price tool?
- An official FPL feature that predicts which players will rise or fall in price, updated daily at midnight UK time.
- When do Gameweek scores now finalise?
- At 09:00 UK time the morning after the Gameweek's final match.