Fantasy EFL 25/26 Changes Explained – Key Differences from 24/25
Fantasy EFL 25/26 Changes Explained – Key Differences from 24/25 is your complete guide to what’s new this season.
Whether you’re a returning manager or just curious about what’s different, this article breaks down all the updates – from new chips and features to format tweaks and gameplay improvements. Here’s everything you need to know before building your team for the 2025/26 campaign.
Own Goals Now Punished
At last! Players will now be deducted three points for scoring an own goal. This change brings Fantasy EFL in line with other major formats and reflects those costly mistakes more realistically. A welcome fix many managers were hoping for last season.
Goals Conceded: Defenders and GKs Penalised
From this season, defenders and goalkeepers will lose one point for every two goals conceded. This makes clean sheets even more valuable and helps reduce the reward for defenders on leaky teams – even if they rack up clearances.
Clearances Adjusted
In 24/25, it took three clearances to earn a point. Now, it takes four clearances per point. This subtle nerf brings more balance to the game while still rewarding solid defensive efforts without overinflating their value.
Penalty Saves Get a Boost
Goalkeepers will now earn +5 points for saving a penalty, up from +3. This adds extra incentive to back keepers with strong penalty-stopping records.
Shots on Target Now Rewarded
A great addition to boost attacking value: midfielders and forwards now earn one point for every shot on target. This gives attacking assets a much-needed edge and opens the door to more flexible formations like 2-2-2 or 2-3-1.
Key passes remain as a scoring metric too, so creators and shooters alike are better rewarded.
Team Goals Scored Bonus Expanded
Teams will now earn +2 points for scoring two goals, and an additional +2 points for reaching four goals in a game. This update encourages managers to target high-scoring fixtures and stack attackers against weak defences.
You should also check out our How to Play Fantasy EFL Guide!
Goalkeeper Goals? Yes, Really
A rare but entertaining twist — if your goalkeeper scores, you’ll bag 10 points. It’s an edge case, but if it happens (especially on Max Captain), expect scenes. Just fair play if you pull it off!
One Club Chip – New for 25/26
One of the most exciting additions this season is the One Club chip. It allows you to stack your team with seven players from the same club in any gameweek, overriding the standard two-player rule. Perfect for double or triple Gameweeks and adds a whole new strategic layer.
Max Captain Chip Returns
The popular Max Captain chip remains in play for 25/26, automatically assigning captaincy to your highest-scoring player in a gameweek. It’s a powerful fallback option when you’re unsure who to captain – or just want to avoid bad luck.
Plan Ahead with Next Gameweek Feature
You can now set your team for the next gameweek as soon as the current one begins. So once GW1 kicks off on Friday, you’ll be able to start preparing your GW2 squad. This feature is perfect for tight turnarounds and weekend planners.
New Division-Based Leaderboards
Fantasy EFL now includes automatic division leaderboards for the Championship, League One, and League Two. You’ll be grouped based on the club you support and its division — adding a new layer of competition among fans of similar teams.
