The new official WSL Fantasy game is here ahead of the 2026/27 season, bringing a new challenge for Fantasy managers.
In this guide, we explain how the game works, covering the key rules, scoring system and everything managers need to know before Gameweek 1.
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HOW TO PLAY WSL FANTASY
Managers receive a £100m budget to build a squad of 15 players:
- Two goalkeepers
- Five defenders
- Five midfielders
- Three forwards
Players from both the Barclays WSL and Barclays WSL2 feature in the same player pool. There is no requirement to select a certain number from either division, although managers can own a maximum of three players from one club.
Before the opening deadline, managers can make unlimited changes to their squads.
PICKING YOUR STARTING XI
Each Matchweek, managers select 11 starters and four substitutes.
A valid starting XI must contain one goalkeeper, at least three defenders, two midfielders and one forward.
Only the final starting XI scores points. Bench players can only contribute through automatic substitutions, while managers must also select a captain whose points are doubled.
Unlike FPL, there is no vice-captain. If your captain fails to play, you won’t receive double points from another player.
SUBSTITUTIONS + CAPTAINCY
WSL Fantasy allows managers to make changes between match days within the same Matchweek.
Making any manual change switches off automatic substitutions for the remainder of that Matchweek. This includes changing your captain or simply reordering the bench.
Once a player’s match kicks off, she can no longer be brought into the starting XI.
TRANSFERS
Managers receive two free transfers per Matchweek.
Unused transfers roll over, allowing you to bank up to five. Every additional transfer beyond your allowance costs four points.
The game also hands everyone unlimited transfers at the beginning of each new Leg:
| Leg | Matchweeks | Unlimited transfers |
|---|---|---|
| Leg 1 | 1-5 | MW1 |
| Leg 2 | 6-11 | MW6 |
| Leg 3 | 12-14 | MW12 |
| Leg 4 | 15-19 | MW15 |
| Leg 5 | 20-23 | MW20 |
| Leg 6 | 24-26 | MW24 |
After an unlimited-transfer Matchweek, saved transfers reset to two.
BOOSTER CARDS
Managers receive three Booster Cards across the season:
- One Wildcard
- Two Free Hits
The Wildcard provides unlimited free transfers for one Matchweek, with all changes remaining in place afterwards.
A Free Hit also allows unlimited changes but lasts for just one Matchweek. Your previous squad then returns.
The £100m budget and three-player-per-club restriction still apply when using either Booster.
You can’t use them during the automatic unlimited-transfer Matchweeks of 1, 6, 12, 15, 20 or 24. Playing either Booster also resets your saved free transfers to two.
There is no Bench Boost or Triple Captain.
SCORING POINTS
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Playing 60+ minutes | 2 |
| Playing 1-59 minutes | 1 |
| Forward goal | 4 |
| Midfielder goal | 5 |
| Defender/goalkeeper goal | 6 |
| Assist | 3 |
| Goalkeeper/defender clean sheet | 4 |
| Midfielder clean sheet | 1 |
| Every three goalkeeper saves | 1 |
| Penalty save | 5 |
| Yellow card | -1 |
| Red card | -3 |
| Own goal | -2 |
| Penalty miss | -2 |
| Every two goals conceded by GK/DEF | -1 |
For clean-sheet points, players must feature for at least 60 minutes. Forwards receive no clean-sheet points.
INVOLVEMENT POINTS
One of the biggest differences from other Fantasy games is the involvement points system.
Players earn one point for every four attacking actions, combining:
- Shots on target
- Key passes
- Successful crosses
- Successful dribbles
They also earn one point for every 10 defensive actions, combining:
- Tackles won
- Interceptions
- Clearances
- Blocks
- Recoveries
There is no cap, potentially making players who consistently rack up these actions excellent Fantasy options even without goals or assists.
BONUS POINTS
The three best performers in each match receive additional points:
| Ranking | Bonus |
|---|---|
| 1st | 3 |
| 2nd | 2 |
| 3rd | 1 |
Ties can result in multiple players receiving the same bonus award.
PLAYER PRICES
Player prices can rise or fall based on performances and transfer activity, with changes reviewed weekly from Matchweek 3 onwards.
However, there is one particularly important difference from FPL: you always sell a player for exactly what you paid for her.
That means managers can’t build squad value by buying players before price rises. A price change only affects how much that player costs managers who don’t already own her.
HOW DO LEGS WORK?
The 26-Matchweek season is split into six Legs.
Managers compete in two competitions simultaneously. The overall leaderboard tracks points across the entire season, while the Leg leaderboard resets everyone to zero at the beginning of each new Leg.
This gives managers several fresh opportunities to compete even after a difficult start to the season.
Your squad and budget carry over between Legs.
