When and How to use FPL Free Hit Chip in Gameweek 3?

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is all about strategy, timing, and sometimes a little bit of luck. Among the various tools at a manager’s disposal, the Free Hit chip is one of the most powerful and exciting. If used wisely, it can be a game-changer, especially early in the season around Gameweek 3. So, when and how should you play the Free Hit chip? Let’s dive into a guide on the best ways to leverage this FPL chip to maximise points and outsmart your competition.

What Exactly is the Free Hit Chip?

First up, for anyone new to the game or needing a refresher, the Free Hit chip lets you make unlimited transfers for just a single Gameweek. That means you can completely overhaul your squad without losing any points for multiple transfers. But here’s the catch: at the next Gameweek deadline, your squad snaps back to how it was before you played the Free Hit chip. So it’s a one-week-only squad makeover, ideal for navigating tricky fixture rounds or injury crises.
The Free Hit chip cannot be played in Gameweek 1, and you can’t use it in both Gameweek 19 and 20 if you decide to save it for the second half of the season. In the 2025/26 season, each chip, including Free Hit, can be used twice, once in each half of the campaign. It’s played when confirming transfers, and once activated, it cannot be cancelled, so choose wisely, and develop a strong fpl chip strategy.

Why Consider Playing Free Hit in Gameweek 3?

Gameweek 3 is an interesting early-season milestone. While some managers prefer to save chips for later in the season when blanks and double Gameweeks appear, there are some compelling reasons to deploy the Free Hit chip as early as Gameweek 3:

• Tough Fixtures for Key Players: For instance, Liverpool host Arsenal, and both teams have players with tough fixtures and injury doubts. Managers owning players inured players like Chelsea's Cole Palmer or Manchester City's Rayan Ait-Nouri, can use the Free Hit chip to temporarily field a team full of starters with better prospects that week.
• Maximising Points in a Single Gameweek: If your squad suffered injuries, suspensions, or poor transfers in the opening weeks, using Free Hit provides a chance to reset just for this week without affecting your long-term plans.
• Targeting Differentials for a Mini-League Boost: Because Free Hit is for one week only, you can pick less popular players who might have great fixtures just for that shortlist, capitalising on short-term gains without permanently committing to them.
• Keeping Your Wildcard for Later: Using Free Hit early can help you avoid burning your wildcard too soon, saving it for a more strategic overhaul later in the season, maybe around Gameweek 13 when fixture swings occur.

How to Use the Free Hit Chip in Gameweek 3: Step-by-Step

1. Assess Your Team and Fixtures
Look at your squad and identify if several players have tough matches or aren’t playing due to injury or rotation. Consider how many points you expect to lose without changes.
2. Explore Alternative Players With Good Fixtures
Use the Free Hit chip to bring in players who are guaranteed starters or have favourable matchups in Gameweek 3. This frees you from the “long-term” considerations typical of transfers.
3. Confirm Your Transfers and Activate the Chip
When finalising transfers on the “My Team” page, you’ll get the option to play the Free Hit chip. Keep in mind that once confirmed, it can’t be undone, so double-check your lineup before using your fpl chips.
4. Enjoy the Temporary Boost, Then Reset
After Gameweek 3’s deadline, your team will revert to its previous lineup automatically. Benefit from the points gained this week without any lasting changes.

Tips for Using the Free Hit Chip Effectively

• Use It When You Have Injuries or Suspensions: The chip is most valuable if your original team is weakened, allowing you to field a full-strength side for just that week.
• Perfect for Navigating Fixture Clusters: Gameweek 3 may feature some early rough patches in fixtures or a few problematic matchups, making Free Hit a smart move.
• Don’t Waste It Too Early or Without Reason: While Gameweek 3 can be useful, sometimes it pays off more to hold your Free Hit chip until blank or double Gameweeks later in the season.
• Pair With Other Chips Smartly: If you plan to use your Wildcard in Gameweek 13 or later, playing Free Hit in Gameweek 3 works well to bridge the gap without losing points unnecessarily.
• Keep Banked Transfers: When using Free Hit, you retain any free transfers you had, giving you flexibility in the following Gameweeks.

Comparing Free Hit to Other FPL Chips

Let’s briefly look at how the Free Hit chip stacks up against the others in simple terms:

Free Hit is unique because it’s temporary and great for quick fixes, while Wildcard changes your whole squad long-term.

In Summary: Should You Use Free Hit in Gameweek 3?

If your squad is struggling with injuries, tough fixtures, or if you want a short-term boost without altering your long-term team strategy, the Free Hit chip in Gameweek 3 is a valid and sometimes smart move. It allows for unlimited transfers to field the strongest possible team each week and helps you capitalise on favourable matchups or differential picks.
Just beware that the chip must be used wisely, especially since once played, it can’t be reversed. Many managers use it in early tricky gameweeks or later in blank/double gameweeks, so make sure using it in Gameweek 3 fits your overall chip strategy and season plans.
Mastering your use of the Free Hit chip along with your Wildcard, Bench Boost, and Triple Captain can elevate your FPL game to the next level.