Fantasy Premier League 2026-27: The decisions that could shape your season

The new Premier League season is approaching, and Fantasy Premier League managers around the world are already weighing up their options before building a squad capable of competing with friends, colleagues and millions of players globally.

Fantasy Premier League 2026-27 is officially open. Each manager has a budget of £100m to select a 15-player squad, with the aim of collecting more points than their rivals across the campaign.

Whether you are an experienced player trying to win your private league again or are preparing to play Fantasy Premier League for the first time, getting the opening squad right could prove decisive.

The new game will begin alongside the Premier League season on Friday, 21 August 2026. Arsenal will host newly promoted Coventry City in the opening fixture, with the first deadline closing shortly before kick-off.

That leaves managers time to assess pre-season form, monitor injuries and transfers, and decide which players offer the best use of their budget. There is no need to rush, with unlimited transfers available before the first deadline, allowing teams to be changed as further information emerges.

New tools for managers

Several changes have been introduced to make the game easier to follow and give managers more information when making decisions.

A new “price change predictor” tool will track transfer activity and indicate which players are most likely to rise or fall in value.

Mini-league scores will also update live during matches. Expected bonus points will be displayed after the first 20 minutes and will continue to change throughout each game.

The team-selection, points and transfers pages have been redesigned to make it easier to view upcoming fixtures, player ownership percentages and Fixture Difficulty Ratings.

New managers will receive assistance when creating their first squad, with the game recommending players based on their stated preferences. More experienced players can now compare their Fantasy Premier League record with managers from around the world.

Building a balanced squad

The £100m budget must be spent on 15 players: two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders and three forwards.

Finding the right balance between premium assets and cheaper players who can deliver regular points is central to a successful team. That task may be more difficult this season, with the prices of many Premier League stars increasing significantly.

There is no guaranteed formula for success, but managers should look for a combination of strong form, favourable fixtures, reliable minutes and attacking potential.

Erling Haaland and Bruno Fernandes are among the leading premium options, while a number of less expensive players could help create a more balanced squad.

Haaland has been priced at £15.5m, making him the most expensive player in Fantasy Premier League history. The Manchester City forward scored 27 Premier League goals and supplied eight assists last season, finishing with 239 Fantasy Premier League points – the highest total of any player.

His price means managers are likely to sacrifice strength elsewhere in the squad, but his consistency makes him one of the leading candidates for the captaincy in the opening weeks.

Fernandes was the second-highest scorer last season, recording 235 points. The Manchester United midfielder scored nine goals and provided 24 assists, making him one of the most dependable attacking midfielders available.

At £12m, Fernandes is also a major investment, although Manchester United’s early fixtures could make him an attractive option for managers looking for a premium midfielder.

Arsenal defender Gabriel is another player worth considering. He scored more than 200 points last season and combines the defensive strength of Arsenal with a significant threat from set-pieces.

His £8m price tag represents a sizeable commitment in defence, however, so managers will need to consider carefully whether selecting him means weakening their midfield or forward line.

Value options and fixture planning

Cheaper players remain essential because it is impossible to fill a £100m squad entirely with premium names.

Jack Hinshelwood, priced at £6m, is one player to monitor. The Brighton midfielder finished last season strongly, starting the final 13 matches and contributing three goals and three assists.

His underlying numbers were also encouraging. During that run, he led Brighton players for shots, shots in the box and big chances.

Newly promoted clubs could provide further budget options, with some of their defenders priced at no more than £4m. Those players may be particularly useful for managers hoping to include several expensive stars elsewhere.

The fixture list is another important consideration when selecting an opening squad. Fixture Difficulty Ratings can help identify clubs with favourable schedules, but they should be used alongside form, team news and the likelihood of regular playing time.

Manchester United lead the teams with attractive early fixtures, while Everton and Newcastle United also have promising periods at the start of the season.

A favourable schedule alone does not make a player an automatic selection. A £6m midfielder who is expected to play 90 minutes regularly for a mid-table side may offer better value than a £9m player struggling to secure game time. Combining fixture data with individual statistics is therefore vital.

Tactical cards and registration

Fantasy Premier League managers will again have four types of tactical cards available. Each card can be used twice during the season, with one set available in the first half and another in the second half.

The first set must be used before the Gameweek 19 deadline. Choosing the right moment could have a major impact on a manager’s position, particularly when blank and double gameweeks arrive later in the campaign.

Managers do not need to use a card simply because it is available. Waiting for a more beneficial opportunity may prove the better strategy.

Registration for Fantasy Premier League is completely free. Once an account has been created, managers can immediately build their squad for the new season, set up a private league or join one with friends, family and colleagues.

The first deadline is fast approaching, meaning the biggest decisions of the campaign are now beginning.