FPL Challenge 2025/26: How to Play & Win Prizes

If you’re an FPL (Fantasy Premier League) fanatic, or maybe just looking to spice up your fantasy football journey, the Fantasy Premier League Challenge for the 2025/26 season is about to become your new obsession. This fresh format takes all the thrill of fantasy football and injects it with weekly twists, awesome prizes, and a real “every week is a clean slate” vibe. Think of it as a way to be involved with the game, without the long-term commitment of having to maintain and change your squad every single gameweek. In the Fantasy Premier League challenge, it doesn't matter if you forget to update your team for one week, because you start with a clean slate for every single gameweek.

What is the FPL Challenge?

The FPL Challenge is a dynamic, fast-paced alternative to the classic Fantasy Premier League. Instead of just setting your team at the start of the season and making tweaks every week, you’re handed the power to build an entirely new squad for each Gameweek, adapting to weekly challenges and unique scoring rules. Think of it as playing a Free Hit chip every week, but with a twist to keep you guessing and strategising all season long. If you've played games like Clash of Clans, think of it as the Clash Royale version of FPL: the same players, mainly the same rules, but just a little bit more casual and fun. Something that everyone can be a part of. The main advantage of the FPL challenge is the fact that you don't get penalised for not taking part in any particular Gameweek. For fans who struggle to update or change their squads every week, this is the perfect opportunity to flex your Premier League knowledge. Add to that the fact that there are prizes to win, sometimes every gameweek, and even at the end of the season.

How FPL Challenge Differs from Regular FPL

How to Play the FPL Challenge

1. Sign Up and Set Your Squad

• Head to fplchallenge.premierleague.com or access via the main FPL site.
• Each week, you’ll start with a blank team sheet. Your previous week’s choices don’t carry over.
• Pick 15 players (two Goalkeepers, five Defenders, five Midfielders, three Forwards) within your budget, unless the week’s challenge says otherwise.
• You can pick up to five players from the same Premier League team.
• Name your captain and vice-captain, just like in classic FPL.

2. Adapt to the Weekly Challenge

• Every Gameweek, there’s a specific challenge that shapes your squad-building strategy and the scoring system.
• Limitless Budget: No financial restrictions, pick your dream XI, regardless of price.
• Forwards Focus: All forwards get double points. Stack that front line.
• Team-specific Bonuses: Sometimes, players from certain teams (like Man United vs. Liverpool) get double points.
• Formation or Squad Tweaks: You might need to pick six-a-side teams, use odd formations, or select a certain number of players from a specific position.
• New challenges are announced before each round, so always check the details for the latest twist.

3. Submit, Edit, and React (Even Mid-Gameweek!)

• You can tweak your best FPL team right up until kick-off for each player. If early line-ups are out and one of your picks is suddenly benched, you can swap them for someone yet to play.
• Missed the first game? No worries. You can enter a team before any of the weekend’s matches that haven’t kicked off yet.
• Captain changes are allowed as long as your captain hasn’t played yet.

4. Compete for Prizes and Mini-Leagues

• Every Gameweek is independent; you can join or take a break and return without penalty.
• You can create and join up to 25 private mini-leagues, perfect for friends, workplaces, or communities.
• Compete for high scores each week instead of a season-long total.

Weekly and Season Prizes

If you love a reward with your bragging rights, the FPL Challenge has you covered:

• Weekly Prizes: Top scorers each week can pick up cool FPL swag, official goodies, and occasionally more valuable items like tickets or gadgets (prizes can vary, so check each Gameweek’s announcements).
• Season Grand Prize: The overall winner receives two hospitality tickets to a Premier League match in the 2026/27 season, plus travel and accommodation.
• Prizes for runners-up and mini-league winners may also be available.
• Under-18s can play but require a guardian’s permission to claim certain prizes.

Strategies and Tips for Winning FPL Challenge

1. React Late, Don’t Rush

• Wait for team line-ups, injury news, and last-minute updates before finalising your squad. With no cumulative points, there’s no penalty for last-minute reshuffles.

2. Embrace the Challenge

• Structure your team around the week’s twist. For Limitless Budget weeks, stack premiums. For double-points weeks (e.g., Forwards), put your faith in in-form strikers.

3. Maximise Club Stacks

• With up to 5 players per club, target teams with favourable fixtures. A clean sweep from a dominant team can rocket you up the leaderboard.

4. Play Differentials

• Since many managers will pile into the obvious picks, adding one or two ‘differential’ players, especially with potential for high returns in that week’s challenge, can make all the difference.

5. Be Flexible and Adapt

• Make mid-Gameweek transfers if a picked player gets benched or if a rival team’s line-up surprises you. Use the flexibility to your advantage.
• Don’t be afraid to sit a week out if it doesn’t suit you; there’s zero penalty, and you can always come back for the next round.

6. Track the Challenge Calendar

• Stay ahead by noting future Gameweek challenges (when they’re announced), so you can plan and scout players from upcoming feature clubs or positions.

7. Join Mini-Leagues

• The fun multiplies when you’re competing against friends, colleagues, and the wider FPL community.
• Some leagues offer their own prizes or bragging rights, and you can join up to 25 at once.

Example: First Three Challenge Weeks (2025/26)

• Gameweek 1: Unlimited Budget—Every manager picks their perfect (and probably premium-heavy) dream team.
• Gameweek 2: Forwards get double points—load up on strikers.
• Gameweek 3: The big rivalry match (e.g., Liverpool vs. Manchester United)—players from those clubs get double points.

Common FPL Challenge Questions

Is FPL Challenge Free to Play?

Absolutely. You can play for free and still have a chance to win prizes.
Can I compete in both the classic FPL and FPL Challenge?

Yes. You can play both formats at the same time; they’re completely independent.
Is there a season-long overall rank?
Nope, every week is a fresh start. There’s no cumulative leaderboard. This makes it perfect for newcomers or anyone who’s missed a few Gameweeks, or users who want a change from the regular FPL routine.
What’s the main appeal compared to regular FPL?
It’s fast, flexible, and never punishes you for missing a week. Each round is a chance to shoot for the top, no matter where you landed the week before that.

Win, Lose, or Just Play for Fun

FPL Challenge is all about maximising your weekly score, adapting to new challenges, and making bold tactical calls in a rapidly changing game space. For the casual fan, it’s a chance to jump in and test your wits against the best, and get yourself familiar with how the FPL works, and who knows, maybe you'll be in it for the long haul next season. For the seasoned FPL addict, it’s another layer of excitement, rivalry, and maybe, just maybe, a shot at hospitality tickets to a Premier League match.