Bench Boost in Fantasy Premier League: what it is and when to use the chip

Bench Boost — one of the four special chips in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), which allows you to earn points not only for the starting lineup players but also for all four bench players. In a normal gameweek, bench points are not added to the team's total score, but after activating Bench Boost, the performances of all 15 players are counted.

Traditionally, FPL managers try to use this chip during a Double Gameweek, when some teams have two matches scheduled in a single gameweek. But there is also an alternative strategy: activate Bench Boost at the very start of the season or immediately after using a Wildcard, having assembled a strong bench in advance.

Let's find out how Bench Boost works in Fantasy PL, how many times it can be used, when it's best to activate it, and how to prepare your team to get the maximum return from this chip.

What is Bench Boost in FPL and how does it work?

Bench Boost is a chip that allows you to include the points of all 15 players in your team in the overall gameweek score. In the standard situation, the points of the 11 starting players are counted, while the results of the four substitutes remain outside the total.

After activating Bench Boost, the situation changes: the points of the substitutes, including the backup goalkeeper, are added to the starting eleven's points.

For example, suppose your starting lineup scored 65 points in a gameweek, and the four bench players earned another 24. Without using the chip, the total result would be 65 points. With Bench Boost activated, the team would receive 89 points.

Thus, in the given example, using Bench Boost would have added an extra 24 points. That's why, when preparing to activate the chip, it's important to pay attention not only to the starting eleven but also to the quality of all substitute players.

How many times can you use Bench Boost in a season?

In the 2026/27 season, each FPL manager receives two Bench Boost chips. They are allocated between the two halves of the season:

• First Bench Boost: available from the start of the season and must be used before the deadline of gameweek 19.

• Second Bench Boost: becomes available from GW20 and can be activated in any suitable gameweek until the end of the season.

An unused chip from the first half of the season does not carry over to the second. Therefore, it's important not to forget the approaching GW19 deadline: if the first Bench Boost remains unused, it will be lost.

A total of eight chips are provided for the 2026/27 season — two Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain and Bench Boost. However, you cannot activate multiple chips at the same time: only one may be used within a single Gameweek.

When is it best to use Bench Boost?

The choice of gameweek matters a lot. Even if your team has strong players, activating Bench Boost at the wrong time may yield very few extra points.

There are several main strategies for using this chip.

Double Gameweek — traditional strategy

Double Gameweeks are considered one of the most attractive periods for activating Bench Boost. In such weeks some clubs play two matches, meaning their players get an extra opportunity to earn points.

If among the four bench players there are members of teams with a Double Gameweek, the potential return from the chip can increase significantly. Instead of one match, the players have the chance to play twice, earning points for goals, assists, clean sheets and other actions.

But there is an important nuance: you need to assess the calendar of your bench players specifically. The mere presence of a Double Gameweek in the Premier League schedule does not itself mean your bench will deliver many points.

Before activating the chip, check:

• how many bench players actually have two matches;

• how tough their opponents will be;

• whether these players get regular playing time;

• whether there is a high risk of rotation;

• whether the players have attacking potential or the likelihood of earning points for defensive play.

The ideal scenario is when all four bench players have good fixtures, and several of them have two matches within a single Gameweek.

Using Bench Boost immediately after Wildcard

Another popular strategy is to first activate the Wildcard, and then use Bench Boost in the following gameweek.

Wildcard allows you to rebuild the entire squad for free. This is a great opportunity not only to strengthen the starting eleven, but also to select four bench players who will regularly get on the pitch and have a favorable schedule.

After such a reshuffle, you can activate Bench Boost in the next week, when all 15 players will be ready to deliver points.

It’s important to remember that you cannot use Wildcard and Bench Boost at the same time. Therefore, the plan assumes activating the chips in different gameweeks.

For example:

• GW10: you use the Wildcard and build a balanced squad of 15 players.

• GW11: you activate Bench Boost, expecting to earn points from the whole team.

You don’t have to wait for a Double Gameweek: if all bench players have good fixtures and there are no serious playing time issues, a regular week can also be a great opportunity.

Early Bench Boost — strategy for GW1 or GW2

Some managers prefer to use Bench Boost almost immediately after the start of the season. This strategy allows you to gain extra points from all 15 players, and then restructure the team using a Wildcard.

For example, you can initially allocate the budget in such a way as to build not only a strong starting eleven, but also a competitive bench. After activating Bench Boost in the first gameweek, the manager receives points for all substitutes, and then can use a Wildcard in one of the following gameweeks.

In the 2026/27 season this strategy became widespread: more than 800,000 managers activated Bench Boost already in GW1. This was a record figure for the first gameweek.

Early use has several advantages:

• no need to wait long for a suitable Double Gameweek;

• you can immediately earn points from all 15 players;

• you don't have to keep expensive bench players for several months;

• after using the chip you can allocate more funds to strengthen the starting eleven with the Wildcard.

However, this approach also has drawbacks. At the start of the season it is not always clear which players will regularly start and which will be at risk of rotation. Moreover, early Bench Boost will require allocating a significant portion of the budget to bench players.

How to properly prepare the bench for Bench Boost?

The main mistake when using this chip is to focus solely on the starting eleven. In a regular gameweek FPL managers often pick cheap bench players who rarely get on the pitch. Such a strategy does not work for Bench Boost.

Before activating the chip it is advisable to have four players capable of regularly scoring points. At the same time it is not necessary to assemble expensive stars on the bench: playing time, schedule and potential scoring are far more important.

1. Choose players who regularly get on the field

First of all, pay attention to players who have a stable place in the starting lineup. Even a cheap defender or midfielder can be a useful pick if he regularly plays 80–90 minutes.

Conversely, a reserve player from a top club who only comes on as a substitute occasionally can be a poor choice. His high potential scoring means little if he hardly gets any playing time.

2. Consider the schedule of all four bench players

Before activating Bench Boost, study the schedule of each bench player. It is especially useful to look for gameweeks where bench players face opponents that have defensive problems or regularly concede chances.

If several bench players have a Double Gameweek, that is an additional argument for using the chip. However, do not ignore the difficulty of fixtures: two matches against strong opponents do not necessarily yield more points than a single favorable match.

3. Don't forget about the goalkeeper

When preparing for Bench Boost, the main focus is often on the three outfield bench players, while the backup goalkeeper receives insufficient attention. This is a mistake: his points will also count towards the team's total.

The ideal solution is to pick a second goalkeeper who plays regularly and has a suitable schedule. Matches against low-scoring teams, where you can expect several saves or a clean sheet, are especially attractive.

4. Don't waste budget unnecessarily

A strong bench is good, but you shouldn't sacrifice the starting eleven entirely for it. It is important to find a balance between the cost of bench players and their actual potential.

If, for Bench Boost, you have to significantly weaken the main squad, it's worth re‑evaluating the suitability of the chosen gameweek. Sometimes it's better to wait a few weeks and build a more balanced team.

Which mistakes should be avoided when using Bench Boost?

• Waiting exclusively for a Double Gameweek. Double gameweeks are attractive, but they are not a requirement. A good regular gameweek can also deliver excellent returns.

• Weak bench. If bench players rarely play or have difficult fixtures, additional points may be minimal.

• Ignoring the backup goalkeeper. His points are also counted when activating the chip, so it is important not to overlook this position.

• Bench players too expensive. There is no need to spend the entire budget on big names. Consistent playing time and a good schedule are often more important than a player's price.

• Simultaneous activation with the Wildcard. FPL rules do not allow using two chips in the same gameweek. The Wildcard and Bench Boost need to be planned for different Gameweeks.

• Delaying until the last moment. The first Bench Boost expires after the GW19 deadline, so it is important to determine the appropriate period in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bench Boost in FPL

How many players earn points with an activated Bench Boost?

All 15 players in your team: 11 starting lineup players and four bench players, including the backup goalkeeper.

How many times can you use Bench Boost in a season?

In the 2026/27 season, two Bench Boost chips are available. The first must be used before the GW19 deadline, the second becomes available from GW20. An unused chip from the first half of the season does not carry over.

Can you use Bench Boost in the first gameweek?

Yes. Bench Boost is available already in GW1. This allows you to immediately earn points from all 15 players, and then, if needed, reshuffle the team using a Wildcard in one of the following gameweeks.

Can you use Bench Boost and Wildcard in the same gameweek?

No. Only one chip can be activated in a single Gameweek. Therefore, Bench Boost and Wildcard must be used in different weeks.

Can you cancel Bench Boost after activation?

Yes. If there is still time before the gameweek deadline, an activated Bench Boost can be cancelled. To do this, simply change the decision on the team selection page.

Is it mandatory to use Bench Boost during a Double Gameweek?

No. A double gameweek can increase the potential return from the chip, but it is far more important that all four bench players have good fixtures and regularly feature.

Conclusion

Bench Boost is an excellent tool for boosting results in the Fantasy Premier League by leveraging all 15 players in your squad. Its effectiveness primarily depends on the quality of the bench, the playing time of bench players, and the difficulty of their upcoming fixtures.

A classic approach is to wait for a Double Gameweek, when some bench players can play two matches. An alternative strategy is to activate the chip early in the season or immediately after a Wildcard, having prepared a strong bench in advance.

You shouldn't use Bench Boost merely to get rid of unused bench players. It’s better to wait for a gameweek where all four players can truly deliver useful points. It is the smart preparation of the team, not merely the activation of the chip, that determines its final effectiveness.