What is the FPL Bench Boost and how many do we get?
Unsure about the FPL Bench Boost and when you should use it? Read this guide to have all your questions answered.
What is the Bench Boost in Fantasy Premier League (FPL)?
We answer all the frequently asked questions below 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 the Bench Boost in FPL?
Playing the FPL Bench Boost means the points scored from your benched players are included in your total points score for that gameweek.
Bench Boost in Fantasy Premier League is a great opportunity to maximise your points on a given gameweek.
Like the other chips in FPL, the timing of the Bench Boost will determine how successful its deployment turns out to be.
How many times can we play the Bench Boost in a season?
Up until 2025/26, the Bench Boost was only available once per year – and often saved until a double gameweek later in the season as a result.
But FPL managers now get two – one for each half of the season.
With no blank or double gameweeks expected in the first part of the campaign, this opens up a whole host of different options.
Our Chip Strategy Guide will discuss these in depth.
Should I combine my FPL Bench Boost with my Wildcard?
A common tactic employed by FPL managers is to use their Wildcard in the gameweek immediately before they plan to use their Bench Boost.
The logic behind this strategy is clear. It gives managers the freedom to pick their optimal Bench Boost squad.
They can get rid of dead-weight that they don’t expect to play and instead prioritise players that meet the desired specification for bench boosting.
That means players who feature regularly for their club and have a good fixture or set of fixtures (if the Bench Boost is being played on a double gameweek).
If they’re likely to add attacking returns and clean sheets to the points tally, that’s a huge bonus.
Does it matter who I bench during an FPL Bench Boost?
No, it doesn’t matter who you bench when you play your Bench Boost in FPL.
That’s because all 15 members of your squad will be included in your points tally, regardless of whether they’re on your bench or not.
This is an important point to remember.
You may avoid a benching headache for a gameweek, but if one or more of your players fails to feature in their game(s), there’s no backup to fill their shoes.