Fantasy Premier League has just levelled up. For the first time ever, managers have access to eight chips—two of each: Wildcard, Free Hit, Bench Boost, and Triple Captain. This change transforms chip strategy from a one-off boost into a season-long tactical weapon. Whether you’re chasing mini-league glory or aiming for a top 10k finish, understanding how and when to deploy these chips is now more important than ever.
Let’s break down each chip, explore optimal timing, and uncover how to stack them for maximum impact.
🧩 The 8 Chips Explained
| Chip Name | Quantity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Wildcard | 2 | Unlimited permanent transfers without points hit |
| Free Hit | 2 | Unlimited transfers for one Gameweek; squad reverts after |
| Bench Boost | 2 | Points from bench players count toward your total |
| Triple Captain | 2 | Captain’s points are tripled instead of doubled |
Each chip is available once per half-season. That means:
- First set must be used by Gameweek 19
- Second set is available from Gameweek 20 onward
- Only one chip can be played per Gameweek
🧠 Strategic Chip Planning
🔁 Wildcard: The Reset Button
The Wildcard is your most powerful tool for long-term squad restructuring. Use it when:
- Injuries or suspensions pile up
- Fixture swings favor new assets
- You want to prep for a Double Gameweek
First Wildcard Tip: Deploy between GW4–GW8 once early-season trends emerge Second Wildcard Tip: Use before a major Double Gameweek, then follow with Bench Boost
🎭 Free Hit: Tactical Flexibility
Free Hit is perfect for navigating chaos:
- Blank Gameweeks (e.g. FA Cup clashes)
- Fixture clashes between premium assets
- One-week punts on differentials
First Free Hit Tip: Use when your squad faces multiple tough fixtures (e.g. GW11: Salah vs Haaland) Second Free Hit Tip: Save for Blank Gameweeks in the second half (GW28–GW32 range)
🪑 Bench Boost: All-In Squad Play
Bench Boost lets you capitalize on your full 15-man squad. Ideal when:
- All players have favorable fixtures
- You’ve just Wildcarded into a strong bench
- Double Gameweeks offer 30+ match opportunities
First Bench Boost Tip: Consider GW1 if your entire squad has good fixtures Second Bench Boost Tip: Pair with Wildcard before a Double Gameweek (GW26–GW30)
👑 Triple Captain: The Big Bang
Triple Captain is all about timing:
- Star player with a plum fixture
- Double Gameweek with two easy matches
- High form + nailed minutes
First Triple Captain Tip: Target promoted teams early (e.g. Haaland vs Burnley GW6) Second Triple Captain Tip: Use in a Double Gameweek when your captain has two home games
📅 Sample Chip Timeline
| Gameweek Range | Suggested Chip Use |
|---|---|
| GW1 | Bench Boost (if squad depth is strong) |
| GW6–GW8 | Triple Captain (vs promoted sides) |
| GW10–GW12 | First Wildcard (fixture swing) |
| GW11 | Free Hit (fixture clash: Salah vs Haaland) |
| GW18–GW19 | Final chip window for first set |
| GW20–GW24 | Second Wildcard (prep for DGWs) |
| GW26–GW30 | Bench Boost + Triple Captain (DGW stack) |
| GW28–GW32 | Free Hit (Blank Gameweek navigation) |
🔍 Advanced Tips
- Don’t hoard chips: Unused chips from the first half do not carry over
- Stack chips wisely: Wildcard ➝ Bench Boost is a proven combo
- Avoid overlap: You can’t play Free Hit in both GW19 and GW20
- Monitor form and fixtures: Use tools like fixture tickers and expected stats (xG, xA) to guide timing
🧪 Chip Strategy in Practice
Let’s say you Wildcard in GW10 to bring in form players with great fixtures. You then Bench Boost in GW11, when all 15 have favorable matchups. Later, in GW15, Haaland faces Sunderland at home—perfect for Triple Captain. In GW28, a Blank Gameweek hits—Free Hit lets you field a full XI.
This kind of sequencing can yield 50–100 extra points across the season.
🏆 Final Thoughts
The 2025/26 FPL season is a chip strategist’s dream. With eight chips, you have double the opportunity to recover from mistakes, attack fixture swings, and outmaneuver rivals. But with great power comes great planning.
Use your chips early enough to benefit, but smartly enough to maximize impact. And remember: the best managers don’t just play chips—they play the game around them.
Ready to build chip logic into your squad builder, Jamie? I can help wireframe the UI, simulate chip impact, or even create a visual timeline overlay. Let’s make strategy beautiful.
Another blog from Copilot and JAM-IE
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