The 2025/26 season of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is underway.
This year brings with it the most significant rule change in years, and one that could make or break your season: managers now have two of each of the four main chips to use throughout the season.
This means you have a Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain, and Bench Boost to use in each half of the campaign.
To succeed, it is crucial to understand what each chip does and, more importantly, how to use them effectively with a new tactical approach.
The Wildcard
The Wildcard is arguably the most powerful chip in the game.
When activated, it allows you to make unlimited free transfers for a single gameweek.
With two Wildcards now available, a popular strategy is to use the first one early in the season to fix any mistakes made in your initial Gameweek 1 squad, or to jump on a new bandwagon of in-form players.
You can then save the second one for the second half of the season to navigate difficult double or blank gameweeks.
Remember, the first Wildcard must be played before the Gameweek 19 deadline.
The Free Hit
The Free Hit chip allows you to make unlimited transfers for a single gameweek.
However, unlike the Wildcard, your team reverts to its original state at the start of the next gameweek.
The Free Hit chip is most effective when your team faces a "Blank Gameweek" or when you want to exploit a one-off run of easy fixtures.
With two available, you can be more aggressive.
For example, some managers are planning to use a Free Hit in Gameweek 2 to avoid the tough fixtures between Liverpool and Newcastle, and Tottenham and Manchester City, allowing them to field a team of players with more favourable matchups.
The Triple Captain
The Triple Captain chip triples the points scored by your chosen captain for a single gameweek.
A normal captain's points are doubled, so this chip provides an additional boost.
With two chips now available, you no longer have to save it for a major double gameweek in the second half of the season.
You can be more flexible, targeting a premium player, such as Erling Haaland or Mohamed Salah, when they have a highly favourable fixture, ideally at home against a newly promoted side.
The Bench Boost
The Bench Boost chip allows your bench players to contribute to your total gameweek score.
All 15 players in your squad, including the four on your bench, will have their points counted
The Bench Boost can then be saved for a major "Double Gameweek" later in the season, when your entire squad could play twice.
It is best to make sure that everyone on your bench is going to play that weekend.
Fantasy news and related links
The FPL conundrum: Salah or Haaland, which star is the better choice?
Is Manchester United's new striker the shocking FPL trap you've already fallen for?