There are a record-high eight chips to use in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) this season &#8211; but when should you use them?
Our 2025/25 Chip Strategy Guide talks you through major changes to the game to help you get ahead of your mini-league rivals.
Last updated: 31/12/25 (second-half introduction)

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<h2>FPL chips: What&#8217;s available this season?</h2>
The first half of this season had a very different look, with an extra <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/what-is-the-free-hit-chip-in-fpl-and-how-can-we-use-it">Free Hit</a>, <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/what-is-the-fpl-bench-boost-and-when-to-use-it">Bench Boost</a> and <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/what-is-the-fantasy-premier-league-triple-captain-and-when-to-use-it">Triple Captain</a> in play.
FPL also scrapped the Assistant Manager chip it trialled in 2024/25.
But the second half of 2025/26 will have a more traditional feel, with a single <a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/what-is-the-fantasy-premier-league-wildcard-and-when-to-use-it">Wildcard</a>, Free Hit, Bench Boost and Triple Captain available as usual.
<a href="https://www.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fpl-blank-double-gameweek-guide">Blank and double gameweeks</a> will now play a major part in shaping our strategies going forward, so now is the time to plan every move carefully.
<div id="attachment_73561" style="width: 730px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73561" class="size-full wp-image-73561" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FPL-chip-strategy.jpg" alt="" width="720" height="377" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FPL-chip-strategy.jpg 720w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FPL-chip-strategy-300x157.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" />FPL chip strategy</div>
<h2>When is the best time to play my Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain and Bench Boost?</h2>
It&#8217;s too early to tell precisely how the blank and double gameweeks will look, which makes it difficult to plan a firm strategy at this stage.
Here&#8217;s the key things to know as the second half of the season begins:
<h3>When are the blank and double gameweeks?</h3>
While single gameweeks could provide opportunities to use the second set of chips, experienced FPL managers will likely build everything around the blanks and doubles.
According to the Hub&#8217;s resident fixture scheduling expert Ben Crellin, we can reasonably expect the following milestones.
<ul>
<li>Blank Gameweek 31 </li>
<li>Double Gameweek 33</li>
<li>Blank Gameweek 34 </li>
<li>Double Gameweek 36</li>
</ul>
The above gameweeks are pencilled in due to league fixtures clashing with the latter stages of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
But there&#8217;s always the chance of a surprise addition &#8211; weather, the death of the Queen and a global pandemic have created blanks and doubles in recent years.
Double gameweeks could be the best bets for two of the Triple Captain, Free Hit and Bench Boost chips, while some teams could benefit from a Free Hit in a blank.
Wildcards just before a planned Bench Boost can help to maximise the chance of getting 15 starters for the latter.
<div id="attachment_73207" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73207" class="size-full wp-image-73207" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Blank-and-double-gameweek.jpg" alt="Crystal Palace won the FA Cup last season. Picture by Getty Images" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Blank-and-double-gameweek.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Blank-and-double-gameweek-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Blank-and-double-gameweek-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Cup competitions will shape the schedule. Picture by Getty Images</div>
&nbsp;
<h3>Which teams will have blanks and doubles?</h3>
The closest we are to discovering more is around Blank Gameweek 31, when we&#8217;re expecting two matches to be postponed.
An Arsenal v Manchester City final would arguably cause the most headaches for the majority of FPL managers, with teams well stocked with players from these teams.
But given we&#8217;ll know more around Gameweek 25, there should be plenty of time to prepare.
<div id="attachment_76679" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-76679" class="wp-image-76679 size-large" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Carabao-Cup-1024x254.png" alt="Blank Gameweek 31 permutations via Ben Crellin" width="1024" height="254" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Carabao-Cup-1024x254.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Carabao-Cup-300x74.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Carabao-Cup-768x191.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Carabao-Cup.png 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Blank Gameweek 31 permutations via Ben Crellin</div>
&nbsp;
<h3>Is there a case to use a chip early?</h3>
The Wildcard is the one which some could turn to in advance of the blanks and doubles.
The festive period has created numerous issues, with injuries to highly owned players disrupting transfer plans.
But while an early Wildcard may appeal right now, patience could pay off.
Navigating the blanks and doubles could be made easier with the Wildcard in hand.
For example, teams who have a double one week will have a blank around the same time &#8211; and hopping on and off players may be difficult with limited free transfers.
Carefully consider therefore whether moving early is likely to be the best idea.
<div id="attachment_74389" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-74389" class="size-full wp-image-74389" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bruno-Fernandes-action.jpg" alt="Bruno Fernandes. Picture by Getty Images" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bruno-Fernandes-action.jpg 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bruno-Fernandes-action-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bruno-Fernandes-action-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Bruno Fernandes was among the injured players over the festive period. Picture by Getty Images</div>
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FPL Chip Strategy Guide 2025/26: Second set of chips available

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