What is a double gameweek in FPL?

What is a double gameweek in Fantasy Premier League (FPL)?

We answer this question below, featuring explanation from Hub fixture expert Ben Crellin, as part of our FPL Training Academy series, covering all the basics of the game.

Our How to Play FPLpage covers everything you need to know, with guides for complete beginners and managers who want to gain an edge over the competition and win their mini-leagues.

For everything else, including our tips on best players and expert team reveals, see our Ultimate Guide to FPL – there’s plenty of free information but for access to our best stuff and incredible toolbox, you’ll have to become a Hub member.

What is a double gameweek in FPL?

A double gameweek in FPL occurs when a team has two matches within a gameweek.

They are usually caused by Premier League fixtures being rearranged. Double gameweeks often occur towards the end of the season.

The Hub’s own fixture expert Ben Crellin – whose fixture planner is available exclusively to Hub members – explained more.

He said: “Double gameweeks happen when fixtures are postponed, normally due to clashes with cup competitions, and they need to be moved to midweeks left towards the end of the season where there are no Champions League fixtures or FA Cup games.

“Sometimes not all the fixtures fit into those midweeks and we will get smaller double gameweeks.”

Ben quickly has an idea of where the season’s double gameweeks will fit in and responds swiftly to make updates.

Explaining the initial process, he said: “Before the start of each season, I look up the dates for the Premier League gameweeks and cup competitions and then enter them onto a spreadsheet and see the gaps in the schedule.”

What is a blank gameweek in FPL?

A blank gameweek is usually caused by the rearrangement of fixtures due to other cup competitions.

For more information, see our guide on blank gameweeks.

Please note that from 2024/25, a new FA Cup schedule will likely lead to fewer blanks and doubles than we have previously seen.

Using chips to navigate double gameweeks in FPL

A popular chip strategy is to use the Bench Boost in a double gameweek. This chip includes the score of your bench players on top of your starting 11.

The second Wildcard can be used to load up on 15 of these double gameweek players a week or two prior to the double.

A Wildcard allows you to make unlimited transfers to your team and, unlike the Free Hit, the changes are permanent.

You could also activate the Triple Captain chip on a double gameweek player, especially during one of the smaller doubles.

When are the blank and double gameweeks in FPL 2023/24?

The latest blank and double gameweek details can be found in our Blank and Double Gameweek Guide, updated regularly throughout the season.

Check out our fantasy football ultimate guides

Our Ultimate Guide to FPL has everything you could ever need to guide you through each gameweek. Regularly updated, it includes all our FPL content in one handy place – from team reveals from some of the best FPL managers in the game to tips on the best players and much more.

We also have ultimate guides for Dream Team and Telegraph Fantasy Football, which are also home to tips and regular articles from experts in these formats.