Champions League

How to play UEFA Champions League Fantasy 2023/24

They are the best teams. The main event. The master, the best, the great teams, the champions.

And if the translated UEFA Champions League anthem doesn’t get you hyped up for the 2023/24 campaign, the launching of its official Fantasy game should do.

You can launch in right now to start your team tinkering, as unlimited transfers are allowed before play starts.

SIGN UP TO PLAY UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FANTASY HERE

There will be as-yet-unannounced prizes on offer in this free-to-play Fantasy game. In the past, these haver ranged from UEFA Champions League final tickets to Playstation 5s and replica shirts.

We’ll be bringing you a lot more content on this game throughout the season, with regular articles ahead of each Matchday.

There is also lots more UCL Fantasy content over on our sister website, Fantasy Football Community.

In this introductory piece, we’ll talk you through the basics of the game.

Champions League Fantasy

BRIEF RULES

To quickly summarise the game: UCL Fantasy managers get €100m to spend on a squad of 15 players. They earn points based on how they perform in the Champions League.

Anyone who has played Fantasy Premier League (FPL) will have no trouble picking the game up, as many of the rules are exactly the same or very similar:

  • An initial budget of €100m (which rises to €105m from the round of 16)
  • Pick a squad of 15 players – two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders, three forwards
  • No more than three players per club (for the group stage)
  • Select a starting XI in a valid formation for every Matchday
  • Select a captain who earns double points
  • Make free transfers between matchdays

Those are the fundamentals but there are one or two quirks of the game that require a bit of explaining, which we will cover below.

DIFFERENCES TO FPL

MANUAL SUBSTITUTIONS

Firstly, as well as autosubs that replace non-playing names of your starting XI, UCL Fantasy also allows manual substitutions within a Matchday.

Between the end of one night (usually Tuesday) and the start of another (usually Wednesday) within that Matchday, a maximum of four players can be switched for ones on your bench – unless they’ve been sent off.

For example, if Alexander Isak (€7.5m) disappoints on the Tuesday of Matchday 1, you can replace him with a substitute who’ll play on Wednesday.

CAPTAINCY SWITCHING

Similarly, a poor choice of captain can easily be corrected by changing it to someone from the second night. This new captain will be the only one whose points get doubled.

TRANSFERS AND CHIPS

Unlike in FPL, each Matchday deadline goes right up until the first kick-off of night one. It allows managers to wait until team news before using their free transfers. During the group stage, each manager gets two of them, plus a maximum of one that’s rolled over from before. However, additional ones cost four points.

Furthermore, there is a pair of chips that can be used once. Wildcard is just like in FPL – a chance to change the whole squad for free. Whereas Limitless is like the Free Hit chip but with an unlimited budget.

POINTS

Instead of bonus points, UCL Fantasy awards three to ‘Player of the Match’. As well as the standard points for goals, assists, clean sheets, cards and appearances, there is an extra one given to goals from outside the box and whenever a player makes three ball recoveries.

GROUP STAGE DRAW

Champions League Fantasy

SCORING SYSTEM

BY POSITION
GKDEFMIDFOR
Scoring a goal6 pts6 pts5 pts4 pts
Clean sheet (played 60+ mins)4 pts4 pts1 pt
Every two goals conceded-1 pt-1 pt
Saving a penalty5 pts
Every three saves1 pt
ALL PLAYERS
Appearance1 ptGoal from outside the box1 ptEvery three ball recoveries1 pt
Reach 60 minutes1 ptAssist3 ptsYellow card-1 pt
Player of the Match3 ptsWinning a penalty2 ptsRed card-3 pts
Missing a penalty-2 ptsOwn goal-2 pts
Conceding a penalty-1 pt

MATCHDAY 1

Champions League Fantasy

SIGN UP TO PLAY UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FANTASY HERE



FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

105 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Ask Yourself
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    To anyone playing this what’s your strategy? I was thinking the first match day fixtures could be worth exploiting and then WC in MD2 but then that leaves the risk of having players on MD5 and 6 with nothing to play for x

    1. Atimis
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Usually WC to have the same set of players for MD3-4

  2. Ask Yourself
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Oh also if mount is back after IB and Antony is sacked who plays on the right for United? Mount or Bruno?

    1. x.jim.x
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Probably Sancho - maybe Pellistri if that beef hasn't been squashed yet.

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      When Antony came off against Arsenal, Rashford played in Antony's position, with Garnacho playing on the left.

      Although in pre-season Bruno played there against Madrid, with Casemiro, Mainoo, Mount the midfield 3. With Amrabat, ETH could do something similar again.

      1. x.jim.x
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        If Ten Hag sticks Bruno on the right again, I will officially be #ETHout

    3. Mirror Man
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Should be Fred. Unleash the beast.

        1. x.jim.x
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Wonder if Fenerbache would loan him back?

    4. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      FPl adding in the missing categories from the "All Players" list (POTM, winning penalty, recoveries) would be a small but very helpful improvement I think

    5. Charlie Price
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      If you feel inclined please join the Not Charlie Price Again! League that I have created in UCL fantasy.

      Code 61G8XQJV01

      Many thanks.

      1. Charlie Price
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        The league is actually named in recognition of all the posters/visitors to these forums who probably say “Not Charlie Price Again!” when they see my invites. Ha ha.

    6. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Aside from the obvious ‘Get Haaland immediately!’, what changes would you prioritise in my squad? 3.9 ITB.

      Thinking Sterling > Son, Diaz > Rashford and Wissa > Darwin.

      Ederson Onana

      Rúben Gvardiol Saliba Chilwell Estupiñian

      Ødegaard Maddison Mbuemo Díaz Sterling

      Isak Watkins Wissa

      1. Charlie Price
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Have you played without Haaland for the first 4 weeks? If so, what is your overall rank so far?

        Just curious to find out if a Haalandless experiment would work?

        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          I wouldn’t advise it 😆

          GW2 was my best with an GW rank of 75k and OR of 1 million.

          GW4 killed me though and currently 4 million OR.

          The worst for me is no going without Haaland because my other players were performing well. I played my WC after GW3 and sold Rashford, Maddison, Nuñez and Wilson all who scored well this week so I would have coped better with no Haaland than what I did.

          Gonna stick with it for the season and have no Haaland and zero hits to see what happens.

          1. Charlie Price
            • 3 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            Every credit for trying something different. Just hope it doesn’t prove too damaging to your rank, but Haaland doesn’t haul every week and City’s fixtures get tougher from week 8.

            Good luck!

      2. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Ødegaard to Son.

      3. El Presidente
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Get Haaland immediately! 🙂

    7. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Just a heads up, with Konate being an injury hazard and Matip probably our slowest CB, Jarell Quansah could play a big part this season.

      1. x.jim.x
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Gomez?

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Oh, forgot him, also injury prone. Jarell Quansah will start matches this season. I am going to get him in on my bench.

          1. x.jim.x
            • 10 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            Not sure getting a youth player who needs at least 3 senior players to all be injured at the same time to play is the best idea tbh, especially for a team who don't even keep clean-sheets with their first XI.

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 5 Years
              1 year, 1 month ago

              For bench I don't mind. Jarell Quansah looks like the business.

    8. Von Lipwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Onana Pickford
      Estu Chil Henry Gusto Gabriel
      Rash Saka Mitoma Mbuemo Eze
      Wissa Jackson Haaland

      A) Gab > Udogie (got cover for next couple GWs)
      B) Onana > Ederson (set and forget gkp)
      C) Both for -4
      D) Wildcard

      1. mcsteely
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Roll FT

    9. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Is anyone holding onto Chilwell after GW8? Chelsea fixtures are horrid from 9 to 15.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        On current form it would be hard to justify keeping, but he's got 4 golden fixtures to turn it around. He's out on my WC, btw.

      2. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Too far in the future to worry about now

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Name checks out lol

      3. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        GW9 might as well be next year. Not looking that far ahead. He's a keep for now.

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Yes, till GW8 he is a keep. I won't be holding though.

    10. Gazwaz80
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Hi all. Can’t decide between Odogie and Romero as my wildcard Spurs defender. Who would you choose and please give your reason why? Cheers…
      I shall post a really good joke if I get more than 2 replies 😀
      ( dad joke so may not be all that funny 🙂 )

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Also consider Porro. Looking decent to be honest.

        1. Gazwaz80
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Hi Foo Fighter, he would have been my first choice but I can’t quite stretch to him. Sorry, I should have mentioned that first…

          1. Andy_Social
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            The way Posty sets up, the fullbacks have a lot of attacking upside. Despite Romero scoring a couple already, as a CB, you wouldn't expect too many more goals.

            1. Gazwaz80
              • 5 Years
              1 year, 1 month ago

              Cheers Andy and F/F for your replies. I think I’ll go with Odogie.
              Dad joke it is then….
              I recently bought a dog off my local Blacksmith, I thought we’d bonded but when we got home and I took him inside, he made a bolt for the door…
              I did warn you 😀

    11. Tor Total Football
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Gusto to Trippier or Schar for GW6?

      Turner,
      Chilwell, Udogie, Gusto
      Saka, Son, Maddison, Diaby
      Haaland(c), Jackson, Alvarez

      Areola, Mbeumo, Estupinian, Henry

      0 FT, £2.9mil ITB

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Genuinely think I'd bench Jackson over Mbeumo.

        Being a forward lowers his ceiling and I think Bournemouth are better than they appear on paper. Brentford attack is the best in the league for xGI so far. Really wouldn't bench Mbeumo.

        I'd even bench Diaby or Alvarez first.

        1. Tor Total Football
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          ok cheers, Newcastle away for Mbeumo though?

          1. TheBiffas
            • 3 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            Doesn't matter

        2. Mr. O'Connell
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          I'd agree with this. Would also play Estu over Gusto. Don't expect CS for Brighton or Chelsea, but Estu is playing so far forward and Chelsea are just piss in general.

    12. Malinwa
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      A) Eze+Fode > Rodrigo+Son
      B) Eze+Mubama > Diaby+Foster
      C) Eze+Mubama > Rodrigo+Ferguson
      D) Foden+Wissa > Maddy+Alvarez
      E) ?

      Areola
      Estu - Chilwell - Colwill
      Mbeumo - Saka - Foden - Salah - Eze
      Haaland - Wissa

      Onana - Gabriel - Mubama - Kabore

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        D looks sharp imo

    13. Mr. O'Connell
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Not actively playing FPL this season, but set up a ghost team (after BB in GW1 and WC in GW2). Plan is 0 transfers all season (other than 2nd wildcard). What do you reckon to it? Just had my first look for a couple of weeks and going ok at 270k.

      Onana
      Chilwell, White, Estupinan
      Saka (VC), Rashford, Maddison, Mbeumo, Eze
      Haaland (C), Watkins

      Areola, Pedro, Saliba, Botman

      Obv not really asking for advice as I can't do anything with it. But who would you have gone for (after GW1 info) and who would you pick now in a ghost team?

      I'm feeling fairly content with it other than Onana, Pedro as 1st sub and Watkins being off pens, which I didn't anticipate.

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Tis shameful to boast.

        B84jwh

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Only ML I'm in....

          1. The Knights Template
            • 10 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            You might win it!

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I am at 3.5M OR, maybe I should ghost team mine to do better.

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Can't recommend it enough. First couple of weeks I couldn't even remember who I owned. Cheering on points for all the players.

        2. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          I’m 3.2m, we’re in the peloton of shame!

    14. TheBiffas
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Kenny Tete the best Fulham defender?

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        When he looks in the mirror he has a Kenny Tete a tete!

        1. TheBiffas
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          And really big tetes?

    15. Thanos
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Any thoughts on this?

      Leno
      Tripp Chil Udogie
      Maddy Sterling Mbuemo Diaby
      Haaland Alvarez Jackson

      Bench: Areola, Bowen, Cash, Henry

      1. mcsteely
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Looks good. benching dilemmas though. Is this a WC?

        1. Thanos
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Yeah, did last week. Had a good WC to say the least !

    16. mcsteely
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      How would you improve this team? 1FT and 2.7 ITB

      Flekken
      Chilwell Gabriel Estu
      Rashford Foden Mbeumo Eze Saka
      Haaland Jackson

      Turner Pau Pedro Baldock

      1. I Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Need a Spurs player for the SHU game I think. Son, Maddison or Udogie.

      2. Thanos
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Foden to Maddison?

      3. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Foden to Son

    17. Letsgo!
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Will u capt salah or maddison?

      1. Andy_Social
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        when?

    18. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Rashford + Jackson > Son + Hojland?

      1. I Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Not for me.

      2. One for All
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        No

      3. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        No

      4. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Yep pull the trigger.

    19. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Salah with

      Diaz

      or

      Nunez

      ?

      1. Alan The Llama
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Darwin - because he's a forward.

        If there weren't so many good midfield choices, I'd get Szoboszlai over either of them.

      2. One for All
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Would go for Nunez against Wolves, but gw 9 I would get them when the fixtures look good.

      3. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Both are mins risk. Darwin/Jota/Gakpo and Jota/Diaz competing for CF and LW spot respectively.

      4. I Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Right now I'd say Nunez but I'm happy to wait until GW9. Hopefully by then someone has nailed down a spot. TAA may also be in the conversation and Szoboszlai looks interesting too.

      5. Eze Really?
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Most teams in Europe are a minutes risk. Gone were the days of Pep roulette. It is a full casino.

    20. One for All
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Turner
      Estupiñán, Udogie, Akanji
      Saka, Salah, Mitoma, Son, Maddison
      Haaland, Pedro

      Pickford, Beyer, Baldock, Mubama

      1FT 0.9 ITB

      Gtg?

      Was thinking GW6:

      A) Salah> Mbeumo, Pedro>Isak/ Alvarez
      b) Akanji> Botman, Maddison>Mbeumo, Pedro>Isak/ Alvarez

      1. One for All
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        B) -4

        1. Nuka Girl
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          So for -4 you're getting Botman and losing Maddison.
          Think I'd vote A) out of either.

          1. One for All
            • 6 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            Cool thanks

    21. Nuka Girl
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Wildcarded. Choosing goalkeeper seems hardest decision.
      Got it down to 3 of differing types.
      A) Leno
      B) Sanchez
      C) Ederson
      Talk about Leno not being proven due to so few games but seem to recall he did pretty well last season. Plus god fixtures, can swap in few weeks if need.
      Chelsea defence going to pick up?
      Ederson, usual pros and cons.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        at what point would you consider Raya?

        is he likely to get his start soon?

        could it be in gw5 or 7.

        probably not at home to Spurs tho.

      2. notlob legin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I think if I was on a wildcard I'd consider Pope with the fixtures, but no one seems to mention him

        1. Nuka Girl
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Considered.
          Newcastle a bit out of frame so far.

      3. Eze Really?
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I would look at Sanchez and a keeper with good fixtures when they turn.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          I'm looking at Leno/Flekken as a double-up, then downgrading Leno to Areola with an early fixture swing.

    22. sirmorbach
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Sell Jackson now or wait?

      1. Eze Really?
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Wait

    23. Bobby Digital
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Are you guys planning to get Trippier?

      1. Eze Really?
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        No

      2. Winnerr
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 1 month ago

        yes 3rd highest xA in league last season for a defender is pretty good

      3. THAT'S LIFE
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Got Schar in on my wc last week and now wish id gone elsewhere. Newc look poor at the back hope Botman makes things better

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Thinking about getting Schar too

          1. Andy_Social
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            Due to the lack of faith in any defences, I'm scrimping and going for Botman.

      4. I Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Nope. Overpriced imo.

    24. Winnerr
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Who scores more over next 4

      Sterling - bou, AVL, ful, bur

      Mbeumo - new, EVE, not, mun

      Thx

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Mbeumo

    25. The Mighty Whites
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      1FT, 1.3 ITB, thoughts?

      Flekken - Turner
      Dias - Chilwell - Estupinan - Udogie - Kabore
      Rashford - Saka - Fernandes - Maddison - Mbuemo
      Haaland - Jackson - Archer

      A: Jackson to Alvarez
      B: Rashford to Son
      C: Saka to Son
      D: Fernandes to Son
      E: other

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        A

      2. I Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        E - save

    26. Andy_Social
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Manchester United have just put out an official statement to say that they have nothing to say 🙄

      https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/Man-Utd-issue-statement-on-Antony?utm_campaign=ManUtd&utm_medium=post&utm_source=twitter

      1. C-Dawgg
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I feel like between this and the Mason Greenwood fence sitting I could comfortably do the job of the Man United legal team

        1. Andy_Social
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          I'd find the blind loyalty to the Glazers challenging, myself.

      2. x.jim.x
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        What else can they say? It’s a police matter.

    27. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      "They are the best teams. The main event. The master, the best, the great teams, the champions.

      And if the translated UEFA Champions League anthem doesn’t get you hyped ...".

      Lol, what sort of translation is that? If I translated "die Meister" (the champions) as "the master [sic]"... well, I would probably be looking for a new job.

      Chat GPT must still be as crap at translating as it is as FPL.

      1. x.jim.x
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        That’s the literal definition tbf

        1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Of what? "die Meister" is plural for a start, it's not "der Meister".
          "the champions" would be a standard dictionary definition of "die Meister". It would actually be unnatural to put the master. The master what? It's a noun ffs.

          1. x.jim.x
            • 10 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            If you Google "die Meister" you get a load of articles translating it literally as "the master" - this is what ChatGPT is pulling in. Blame the goons at Talksport etc for just sticking it through a translator.

            1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              1 year, 1 month ago

              Ah I see, intern at Talksport must have put German on their CV and then doubled down on it.