FPL Challenge

FPL Challenge is back! Five changes we’re set to see in 2024/25

Like an academy product finding their feet in a debut season, it’s fair to say Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers were not quite sure what to make of FPL Challenge when it arrived ‘off the bench’ towards the end of 2023/24.

The game nonetheless managed to pique decent interest and reach over one million players in its initial trial period.

It did away with restrictions like pricing and centred on specific weekly variations to the usual FPL rule set (such as double points for players from certain clubs), as well as employing a ‘rolling deadline’ approach, during which you could keep changing players right up till kick-off of each fixture.

Now, however, it looks like the game makers at the Premier League have taken on board plenty of learnings, had a full pre-season in training and returned with something very different that looks like it could be a ‘real player’ for the 2024/25 campaign!

The full story is unveiled on the FPL site, along with reaction from our very own Sam Bonfield, but let’s have a look at some of the main developments.

The Main Events… Over 5 Gameweeks

One major new format change is the ability to compete in and win ‘events’, essentially a group of collectively themed Gameweeks in which your points add up as you compete for a trophy over a shorter timeframe than the full season game.

To kick things off, they’ve given the example of a five-a-side event, where the ‘theme’ is that you can only pick five players for each Gameweek.

In each of the four weeks, there are also other restrictions to consider.

FFS Verdict: This seems like a smart way to maintain engagement for short periods of time and allow both existing Fantasy managers and new arrivals, who may get distracted, to be able to drop in and out but still be able to enjoy the game.

Fantasy Challenge 2024

Playing The (Season) Long Game

Purists will be relieved to understand that, alongside the shorter ‘event’ challenges, you will also be able to compete in a more familiar manner with season-long mini-leagues that aggregate the points as you go.

It appears these will operate in the same way as current FPL mini-leagues, allowing you to join global competitions or compete against a closer group of friends.

FFS Verdict: This is a welcome addition, but pretty much what the hardcore player would expect.

Fantasy Challenge 2024

Playing for the Badge

One addition that feels like a nod to the world of video games is the addition of rank badges, which effectively serve as a rating of performance in each event as well as a virtual trophy cabinet for achievements.

Depending on how well you’ve performed (and what percentile of players you’re in), you’ll get a different award that’s then attached to your FPL Challenge profile. Everyone who takes part will get the ‘bronze’ (a bit like school sports day participation award) but only the more hardcore (or very lucky) managers will have the ‘elite’, ‘world class’ or ‘legend’ crest!

And that’s not the end of it. Finish multiple challenges at a specific level and you’ll also add stars to your rank for even more exclusive bragging rights. A bit like the stars for winning international tournaments!

FFS Verdict: Another good addition, especially for fans of EAFC – nice to have another metric to track the high points as opposed to just a league position.

Fantasy Challenge 2024

Points Make Prizes!

If virtual badges of honour were not enough incentive, the promise of actual real-world prizes could tip a few more managers into the Challenge world.

In the earlier days of FPL, the prize level had been the subject of some gentle sarcasm (‘oh great, a stressball!’) but in recent seasons, this has improved dramatically to include 7-night holidays, match tickets, PL shirts, headphones, watches, laptops, EAFC games and exclusive FPL merch.

Whilst the details were relatively sparse in the announcement, the promise to at least match this level of prizes seems to suggest there’ll be a lot more chances to win something decent.

FFS Verdict: Let’s face it, very few of us are really playing this game for the chance to win a prize, but a little extra incentive really can’t hurt and an FPL rucksack does sound pretty cool!

There’s No Substitute

One final technical change to the game which will differentiate further from FPL (and deny some of the cheeky workarounds that certain managers employed) is the removal of the bench AND the vice captaincy elements from the game entirely. Players can now only pick a maximum of 11 starting players – or indeed far less during the starting five-a-side Gameweek event).

FFS Verdict: Whilst we obviously do enjoy a loophole to exploit in any Fantasy game, I think we probably have to say ‘it’s a fair cop gov’ on this one and accept it’s in the best interests of a level playing field.

Final Score

Of course the proof of any game comes in the actual playing but, much like Sam, we welcome pretty much everything we’ve heard here and are certainly going to be adding FPL Challenge to our starting line-up for the new season – alongside newcomer Fantasy EFL, UEFA Champions League Fantasy, and of course FPL itself.

We’ll also be providing all Scout readers, subscribers and of course FFS Premium Members with the very best analysis, data, tips, tools and team reveals we possibly can.



168 Comments Post a Comment
  1. WVA
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 8 days ago

    Did TAA score today? Suddenly in everyone’s team even though he’s been s**t.

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 8 days ago

      No game today altho you are joking. Just in case

  2. Emiliano Sala
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 8 days ago

    Yoro or Martinez for gw1?

    1. WVA
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 8 days ago

      Oh god

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 8 days ago

        That was not the question

        1. Whiskerz
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 8 days ago

          I think it means he doesn't like either. Same for me.

          1. Emiliano Sala
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 8 days ago

            I know. I get it. But it’s a 4.5 defender for gw1 BB. Then WC.
            may give utd another chance at home vs FUL for a clean sheet.

            1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 8 days ago

              I'm considering BB GW1 also.
              What does your current team look like?

              1. _Freddo
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                3 months, 8 days ago

                Same, last year I saved it for a double & got 9 points, the 2 years before I used it in GW1 & got near 20 both times.

                If I can settle on a strong GW2 team I may go for it.

                1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
                  • 8 Years
                  3 months, 8 days ago

                  I've never played BB GW1, but I've considered it many, many times. This year, it feels more likely for me to do it than before, mainly because of English players likely to be eased in after the Euros.

                  It would feel good to just be done with it. It's always in the back of my mind that 'I have to get a strong bench sooner or later to play BB.'

            2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 8 days ago

              Would try to get another .5 for Shaw or Dalot btw

    2. just a man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 8 days ago

      Until we sort out midfield, neither.

    3. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 8 days ago

      You know what, I'd go for Yoro.

      I also think with United's first choice defence back, they'll be ok.

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 8 days ago

        Thanks buddy

  3. FPL_trail_runner
    • 4 Years
    3 months, 8 days ago

    Looking at the fixture swings i think a week 4 wildcard is very reasonable

    I currently plan to start here

    Pope
    Gvardiol Porro White
    Odegaard Salah Gordon MGW
    Isak Watkins Havertz

    Week 2 > Salah + Havertz to CHO + Haaland (C)

    Then roll

    Week 4 wildcard has very nice fixture turns for Villa, Chelsea , Liverpool and also good to get rid of Arsenal , Spurs, Newcastle

    Something like :

    4,5 goalie (Chelsea?)
    Maatsen Robertson Gvardiol
    Salah Foden Palmer Nkunku Bailey
    Watkins Gakpo/Darwin

    and a few FT to play with afterwards to get Saka / Havertz / Saliba back in along with Haaland

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 8 days ago

      Not a fan of building in a -4 . . . but it does make sense. Think Gakpo/Darwin will rotate a lot unless Slot plans to play Gakpo behind Darwin in a diamond.

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 8 days ago

        Ya Darwin / Gakpo are just place holder
        If one is preffered, lots of options around 8mil there. Could also go e.g Pedro from week 4 to free up even more funds for Palmer , Saka Foden in midfield

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 8 days ago

      This tactic with the Salah-Haaland captaincy combination crossed my mind as well. I think it could work.

  4. prgmtctchr
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 8 days ago

    Lowest Score Wins leagues are back!

    Pick your team using your entire budget then ‘set it and forget it’, with no transfers, chips, etc. used during the season. Lowest score wins!

    Classic: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/i46foq
    H2H: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/cynn5t

    The rules are simple but bear repeating in relative depth:
    1. Use your entire budget to pick your team. You must have 0 left to spend when the season begins.
    2. Do not make any transfers once the season begins.
    3. Do not use any chips during the season.
    4. At the end of the season, the team at the bottom of the table (having correctly followed all rules) wins.

    1. _Freddo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 8 days ago

      If you knew Jota would start every week under Slott, I don’t think I’d bother with Salah.

      Salah to Jota would enable Trent, 2 from Lpool instead of Salah.

      Don’t think GW1 Captaincy would be an issue because Isak H to Saints is probably the best C that week.

  5. zensum
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 8 days ago

    For GW1 only:

    Which pair would u prefer:
    A) Eze + Dan Burn
    B) CHO + Gvardiol

    Appreciate your help

    1. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 8 days ago

      A

    2. _Freddo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 8 days ago

      A

  6. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 months, 8 days ago

    Thoughts? 🙂

    Absolutely set on WC 6 with this team. Have an amazing defense rotation for the first 5 weeks. Atttack the first 5 weeks and then set up with triple city and double Arsenal on WC

    Sanchez - Fabianski
    TAA - Mykolenko - Konsa - VdV - Robinson
    Salah - Gordon - Eze - CHO - Winks
    Haaland - Isak - Nuniz

    GW 2 - Save
    GW 3 - Haaland + CHO ➡ Watkins + Palmer
    GW 4 - Gordon ➡ Mitoma
    GW 5 - Muniz ➡ Darwin
    GW 6 - WC

    1. FPL Brains
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 8 days ago

      Where is all this love for Winks coming from?

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 8 days ago

        4.5m enabler probably. Not for me but what 4.5m mid would you prefer?

      2. Boxwoods
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 8 days ago

        Presumably most have him as a break-glass 4.5 mid in a front three structure. Is there a better candidate for that use?

      3. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 8 days ago

        Just a fodder

      4. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 8 days ago

        Ah okay gotcha. Makes sense.

        I don't know if there is anyone better to be fair but my lowest mid will be 5.5.

    2. Whiskerz
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 8 days ago

      I have the same plan for gw3 as you and I'm worried that might hit a bump.

      I guess it's good to have a rough plan, but do you think you'll actually stick to it for 6 weeks?

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        3 months, 8 days ago

        I tend to stick unless something massive comes up like an injury/bandwagon

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 8 days ago

      Just silly to book trades like this, and then share the silliness with us, sucking us into of vortex of silliness, but if you’re having fun that’s all that really counts I guess. I’m not having fun reading your constant stream of changed RMTs. Let’s see what you come up with tomorrow!

  7. tyiocoyg34
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 8 days ago

    RMT

    Pope ( Turner )
    Gvardiol - Saliba - Konsa - Myko - ( Faes )
    Odegaard - Eze - Foden - Palmer - ( Winks )
    Watkins - Isak - Havertz ( not sure who to bench first GW )

  8. have you seen cyan
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 8 days ago

    They should just call it "challenge" instead of fantasy challenge.
    Its like that scene in the facebook film where Justin Timberlake is leaving the restaurant and says "oh yea, one last thing guys, lose the "the", "just facebook".