25 Oct, 2024

How Does Fantasy Premier League Draft Work?

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Draft is a variation of the traditional FPL game that offers a unique and engaging way to compete with friends or other managers. Unlike the classic version where multiple players can own the same star players like Erling Haaland or Mohamed Salah, FPL Draft ensures each player is exclusive to one team per league, adding a layer of strategy and competition to the experience. Here’s a breakdown of how FPL Draft works and some tips to help you get started.

1. The Draft Process

The biggest difference between FPL Draft and the standard game is the way teams are assembled. Instead of a set budget to spend on players, teams are selected through a draft, similar to how professional sports leagues like the NFL operate. At the start of the season, each manager in the league participates in a live draft, where they take turns picking players in a pre-determined order.

The draft order is usually randomized at the beginning, with the first pick going to the manager assigned the first slot. In a “snake draft” format, the order reverses in every other round. For instance, if you have the first pick in round one, you’ll have the last pick in round two, then the first pick in round three, and so on. This adds balance, giving all managers an equal opportunity to build a competitive team, even if they don’t get a top pick initially.

2. Exclusive Player Ownership

One of the main appeals of FPL Draft is the exclusive ownership rule: once a player is drafted, no other team in the league can own that player. If someone drafts Haaland, for example, he’s off the board for everyone else. This means managers need to think creatively and build balanced squads rather than relying on a handful of popular players. It also adds a strategic element to the draft process, as managers need to anticipate which players their rivals might target and adapt accordingly.

3. Squad Management and Transfers

In FPL Draft, each team consists of 15 players: two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders, and three forwards. Once the season starts, squad management and transfers work a bit differently compared to the standard game. Instead of buying and selling players with a budget, you can swap players in your squad for any undrafted players available in the league’s “free agent” pool.

There are two main ways to make transfers in FPL Draft:

• Waivers: Managers can submit claims for undrafted players on “waiver” before each game week deadline. If multiple managers want the same player, priority goes to the manager with the lowest waiver rank (often based on league position).
• Free Agents: After the waiver period ends, any remaining undrafted players become free agents, available on a first-come, first-served basis. This is useful for picking up last-minute replacements if a player in your squad is injured or out of form.

4. Scoring and Strategy

The scoring system in FPL Draft is identical to the classic FPL game, with points awarded for goals, assists, clean sheets, and other metrics. However, the strategies for success in Draft can be quite different. Because each team is unique, managers need to focus on depth and versatility, especially when top players are already taken by rivals. Keeping an eye on form, fixture difficulty, and injuries is crucial for making smart transfers and managing your squad.

5. Head-to-Head Format

Most FPL Draft leagues use a head-to-head format, where each manager faces a different team in the league each week, with points tallied based on performance in that specific matchup. Wins, draws, and losses determine your position in the league table, which makes each game week feel like a one-on-one competition.

This format is hugely popular in the US and is a personal favourite for us here at Ingenuity :).