For Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, the summer isn’t measured in weeks or transfer rumors—it’s counted in days until the game goes live. The moment FPL opens its digital doors, the scramble begins: draft tinkering, price hunting, and endless debates over captaincy picks. So, when exactly will FPL 2025/26 launch?
Let’s dig into the data and make an informed prediction.
📅 Historical Launch Trends
Over the past decade, FPL has consistently launched 30–40 days before Gameweek 1, with a few exceptions. Here’s a quick snapshot:
- 2024/25: Launched on 17 July, 30 days before GW1
- 2023/24 & 2022/23: Both launched on 5 July, 37 and 31 days before GW1 respectively
- 2021/22: Exceptionally early on 23 June, 51 days before GW1
- 2020/21: Delayed to 15 August due to COVID-19
The average launch date—excluding pandemic disruptions—is around 35 days before the season starts. That gives managers a solid month to prepare.
🔮 Predicting the 2025/26 Launch
The Premier League kicks off on Friday, 15 August 2025, with Liverpool hosting Bournemouth. Working backwards, and factoring in the Club World Cup final on 13 July, the most likely FPL launch window is Monday 14 July to Wednesday 16 July.
This timing avoids clashing with major events and aligns with FPL’s preference for midweek launches—often on a Wednesday. It also gives managers a full month to build squads, analyze fixtures, and dive into preseason content.
📈 Why Launch Timing Matters
For casual players, the launch date is just the start of the fun. But for serious managers, content creators, and data analysts, it’s a strategic milestone. Knowing when FPL goes live allows you to:
- Plan content drops: From price predictions to fixture analysis
- Automate squad simulations: Using historical data and expected points
- Track template formations: As ownership trends emerge
If you’re building tools in Power BI or syncing your optimizer with Git workflows (👀 Jamie), this launch window is your cue to start deploying.
🧠 What Happens Next?
Once FPL launches, expect a flurry of activity:
- Price reveals: Usually teased on social media 2–3 days before launch
- Rule updates: Minor tweaks to chips or squad structure
- Fixture analysis: Early-season runs become hot topics
And of course, the inevitable overthinking begins. Should you triple up on Chelsea’s kind opening fixtures? Is Haaland worth the price again? Will promoted teams offer budget gems?
✍️ Final Thought
FPL 2025/26 is just around the corner, and while the exact launch date isn’t confirmed, history gives us a reliable blueprint. Mark your calendar for mid-July, and start sketching those drafts. The countdown is on—and the game within the game is about to begin.
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