Fantasy football enthusiasts, gather 'round! We've got some exciting updates to the Bonus Points System (BPS) for the upcoming 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League season. Personally, I think these changes are a breath of fresh air and will add an extra layer of strategy to the game.
The Evolution of Bonus Points
The BPS is a crucial element in Fantasy, determining who walks away with those extra points. Traditionally, it relied on a range of Opta stats to create a performance score for each player. The top three performers in a match would then receive bonus points - three for the best, two for the second, and one for the third.
However, last season saw the introduction of defensive contribution points (DC), which has led to some interesting tweaks for this season. The goal is to shift the focus back to attacking players and limit the overlap between DC and bonus points.
Removing the Tackle Penalty
One of the most notable changes is the removal of the BPS reduction for players who are tackled. In previous seasons, players would lose a point for every tackle they received. This often penalized flair players, particularly wingers and full-backs, who tend to take on opponents more frequently.
By removing this metric, we can expect to see these attacking players thrive and potentially earn more bonus points. For instance, Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa, who was tackled a whopping 156 times last season, could be a prime beneficiary of this change.
Adjusting Defensive Actions
Defensive actions like clearances, blocks, and interceptions (CBI) have also been adjusted. Previously, a player earned 1 BPS for every two CBI. This season, the ratio has been changed to 1 BPS for every three CBI.
What does this mean? Well, it's likely to reduce the bonus points earned by center-backs, who tend to make the most CBI. This shift aims to create a more balanced playing field between defenders and attackers.
Goalkeepers Get a Boost
Goalkeepers have also been given a little love. Previously, they earned 3 BPS for saving a shot from inside the box and 2 BPS for saving a shot from outside. However, this didn't account for saves made without a shot being taken, such as a deflected cross.
Now, goalkeepers will earn 2 BPS for any save, with an additional 1 BPS for saving a shot from inside the box. They'll also get an extra 1 BPS for saving a "big chance," which includes penalties. This means that penalty-saving heroes like Jordan Pickford and Caoimhin Kelleher could see an increase in their BPS scores.
A Strategic Shift
These changes to the BPS system are more than just tweaks; they represent a strategic shift in the game. By limiting the overlap between DC and bonus points, and by rewarding attacking players more, the game becomes more dynamic and exciting.
It will be interesting to see how managers adapt their strategies and which players emerge as the new bonus point kings.
So, Fantasy fans, are you ready to dive into the new season with these fresh rules? I, for one, can't wait to see the impact these changes will have on the game!
