Fantasy football is a hugely popular game where fans pick an imaginary football team from a selection of real-world soccer players.
Each week points are awarded to players based on their actual performances on the pitch.
The origins of the game can be traced back to 1971 when Bernie Donnelly organised an early version of Fantasy Football between his friends.
In 1994 the British newspaper ‘The Telegraph' launched a mass-market league which proved a big hit with football fans.
Since then, fantasy football has gone global with the help of the internet and today you can take part with any number of providers.
Until now, the prizes for winning a competition have remained relatively small or non-existent. But that's all changing as bookmakers and independent companies have decided to shake up the Fantasy Sports market.
Fantasy Premier League
The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is an online game where participants create a virtual football team using real-life Premier League players.
The game runs throughout the Premier League season, and the performance of the selected players in actual matches determines the points scored by the fantasy team.
With over 11 million players, it is a huge Fantasy Football league and one that is completely free to enter.
How It Works
The first thing you have to do is register on the Fantasy Premier League website. This, as mentioned above, is free.
Then it is time to create your team. Each participant is given a budget of £100 million and from this you need to select 15 players.
Those players must be made up of 2 goalkeepers, 5 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 3 forwards.
Each week, you then choose your starting eleven and select a captain and vice-captain. The captain's points are doubled.
You are allowed to make one free transfer per game week but any additional transfers will incur point deductions.
Earning Points
Points are awarded based on the real-life performance of players in Premier League matches.
Appearance Points:
- Playing up to 60 minutes: 1 point
- Playing 60 minutes or more: 2 points
Scoring Points:
- Goal scored by a forward: 4 points
- Goal scored by a midfielder: 5 points
- Goal scored by a defender or goalkeeper: 6 points
- Assist: 3 points
Defensive Points:
- Clean sheet by a goalkeeper or defender: 4 points
- Clean sheet by a midfielder: 1 point
- Goalkeeper save: 1 point per 3 saves
- Penalty save by a goalkeeper: 5 points
Bonus Points:
Bonus points are allocated to the top three players in each match. The best performer gets 3 bonus points, the second gets 2, and the third gets 1 point.
Deductions:
- Yellow card: -1 point
- Red card: -3 points
- Own goal: -2 points
- Penalty miss: -2 points
- Goals conceded by a goalkeeper or defender: -1 point per 2 goals conceded
The system ensures that various aspects of a player's performance are taken into account, rewarding contributions to both attacking and defensive plays.
What Can You Win?
If you pick a team that wins you the entire Fantasy tournament then you are in for a treat.
Overall winner prizes include a 7-night break in the UK inclusive of two VIP hospitality at two 2025/26 Premier League matches.
You will also get a Hublot connected watch, the official Premier League Club T-shirt, a laptop computer OR SIM-free smartphone, noise-cancelling headphones and a personalised FPL bundle consisting of a rucksack, T-shirt, mug, thermal bottle, stress ball, pen, pad and key ring.
There are prizes for all players who manage to finish in the top twenty overall as well as a bundle of prizes for weekly winners.
WHERE TO PLAY
Generally bookmakers don't tend to offer an actual Fantasy Football league. Instead they give you instructions on how to start one.
If you want to take part in one without all the hassle of trying to manage one, then the official Premier League version is the most comprehensive, even if you don't win cash prizes.
There are of course other companies that do offer cash prizes. The likes of Fan Team and Telegraph Fantasy Football but offer cash prizes but there is a fee for registering your team.
So, depending on your experience level you may want to stick with the free version if you're a beginner, if only to get used ot how the set-up works.
If you're already familiar with how it all operate then choosing an option provided by the Telegraph is a good place to start.
Telegraph’s game provider, Genius Sports, has partnered with Plucky.com, who have integrated TFF into their site. This will allow you to create your own league with friends and family where an entry free can be anything for £10 per person to £200 per person.
Prize money is split between the winners and overall it's a good way to create your own fantasy football league with cash prizes.
