How the FPL Bonus Points System Works (And How to Use It to Your Advantage)

Stop leaving fpl bonus points on the table. While most managers obsess over goals and assists, the smartest FPL players know that bonus points separate good teams from championship-winning squads. Master the Bonus Points System (BPS), and you'll unlock your unfair advantage over managers who still think fantasy football is just about picking goal scorers.

What Are FPL Bonus Points? Your Secret Weapon Explained

The FPL bonus points system rewards the three best-performing players in every Premier League match with extra fantasy points. Here's how the spoils get divided:

• 1st place: 3 bonus points
• 2nd place: 2 bonus points
• 3rd place: 1 bonus point

But here's what separates winners from losers: BPS isn't just about goals. The system tracks over 30 different statistics to identify the true match winners. While your rival managers chase last week's goal scorers, you'll be targeting players who consistently rack up BPS through multiple contributions.

How Players Actually Earn BPS Points (The Complete Breakdown)

Your edge comes from understanding exactly how players accumulate BPS. Stop guessing: start targeting these high-value actions:

⚽ Goal Scoring (Position Matters)

• Forwards: 24 points per goal
• Midfielders: 18 points per goal
• Defenders/Goalkeepers: 12 points per goal
• Penalties: 12 points (uniform across all positions in 2025/26)

🎯 Creative Contributions

• Assists: 9 points each
• Creating big chances: 3 points
• Key passes: 1 point each
• Successful crosses: 1 point each
• Winning goal bonus: 3 points

🛡️ Defensive Dominance

• Clean sheets (GK/DEF): 12 points
• Tackles won: 2 points each
• Penalty saves: 8 points
• Saves inside penalty area: 3 points
• Saves outside penalty area: 2 points
• Goalline clearances: 9 points (upgraded from 3 in 2025/26)
• Clearances/blocks/interceptions: 1 point per 2 actions

📊 Technical Excellence

• Playing 60+ minutes: 6 points
• Playing 1-60 minutes: 3 points
• Successful dribbles: 1 point each
• Pass completion bonuses (minimum 30 passes):
  • 70-79% completion: 2 points
  • 80-89% completion: 4 points
  • 90%+ completion: 6 points

⚠️ Point Deductions (Avoid These Players)

• Yellow cards: -3 points
• Red cards: -9 points
• Goals conceded (GK/DEF): -4 points
• Own goals: -6 points
• Missing big chances: -3 points
• Missing penalties: -6 points

When Players Tie for Bonus Points (Maximize Your Gains)

Smart managers know how ties work: and exploit them ruthlessly:

• Tied for 1st: Both players get 3 points, next best gets 1 point
• Tied for 2nd: Winner gets 3 points, both tied players get 2 points
• Tied for 3rd: Winner gets 3, runner-up gets 2, both tied get 1 point

Target players on teams where multiple assets can tie for bonus points. Double your gains when your defenders and midfielders both earn bonus points from the same match.

Game-Changing 2025/26 Updates You Must Know

The rules changed this season: and savvy managers are already capitalizing:

Goalkeeper Revolution: Saves now earn different points based on shot location. Penalty area saves (3 points) vs. long-range saves (2 points) means targeting goalkeepers facing high-quality chances, not just high shot volumes.

Goalline Clearances Jackpot: Upgraded from 3 to 9 points. Target defenders on teams that defend narrow leads: these clearances now rival assists for BPS value.

Penalty Equalization: All penalties now earn 12 points regardless of position. Stop overpaying for forward penalty takers when defender penalties offer the same BPS reward.

Tackle Metric Overhaul: "Tackles won" replaced net successful tackles. Target aggressive defenders who win tackles consistently rather than those who attempt many but lose several.

Your Strategic Blueprint for Bonus Point Domination

🎯 Target Creative Midfielders Over Pure Strikers

Playmakers accumulate bonus points through multiple channels: key passes, assists, dribbles, and pass completion bonuses. A midfielder creating 6+ key passes per match becomes a bonus point magnet, while strikers only earn big BPS through goals.

Your Move: Prioritize midfielders who consistently create chances over forwards who only contribute through goals.

🛡️ Exploit Clean Sheet Defenders

Defenders earning clean sheets start with 12 BPS points before adding tackles, pass completion, and other contributions. Target defenders on teams with strong defensive records: they're bonus point gold mines.

Your Edge: Rotate defenders based on fixture difficulty to maximize clean sheet probability.

⚡ Hunt Down Well-Rounded Players

Players earning points through multiple BPS categories consistently outperform one-dimensional assets. Target players who tackle, pass accurately, create chances, and contribute defensively.

Winning Strategy: Avoid pure goal scorers who disappear when they don't find the net. Choose players who accumulate BPS through varied contributions.

Advanced Fantasy Football Premier League Bonus Point Tactics

Form-Based Selection

Target players in good form who consistently play 60+ minutes (automatic 6 BPS points) while contributing across multiple categories. These players build BPS foundations that rivals miss.

Fixture Analysis

Identify matches likely to produce clean sheets, penalties, or high tackle counts. Your opponents see fixtures for goals: you see them for BPS opportunities.

Team Correlation Strategy

When possible, stack players from the same team who can both earn bonus points. Defender clean sheets + midfielder assists from the same match = doubled bonus point gains.

Stop Chasing Last Week's Goals: Start Dominating Bonus Points

While your rivals chase obvious goal scorers, you'll be accumulating bonus points through strategic player selection. The managers who understand BPS separate themselves from the pack because they're playing a deeper game.

Your competitive advantage: Target players who contribute across multiple BPS categories rather than one-dimensional assets. Choose creative midfielders over pure strikers. Prioritize defenders on teams with strong clean sheet records.

The fpl tips and tricks that actually matter aren't about predicting who scores next: they're about understanding how the best players accumulate points through varied contributions. Master the bonus point system, and you'll have your unfair advantage over managers who still think fantasy football is just about goals and assists.

Transform your FPL strategy today. Stop leaving bonus points on the table and start building teams that dominate through superior understanding of how points are really earned.