What Is a Free Hit in Fantasy Premier League?
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The free hit is one of the most powerful chips in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), and knowing when to pull the trigger can be the difference between a green arrow and a red one.
TL;DR: A free hit lets you make unlimited transfers for a single gameweek, then your squad reverts to exactly how it was — no points hit.
What the Free Hit Chip Actually Does
A free hit is an FPL chip that gives you unlimited free transfers for one gameweek. You pick a completely new starting XI and bench, then once the gameweek ends your team snaps back to the squad you had before. Think of it as borrowing a team for 90 minutes of matchdays.
The key difference from the wildcard is permanence. A wildcard permanently changes your squad; a free hit is a one-week loan. That's why most managers save it for a specific problem.
When Should You Use a Free Hit?
The classic free hit scenario is a blank gameweek, when several clubs have no fixture. Managers often enter such weeks with half a squad doing nothing. A free hit lets you load up on teams that actually play.
The other big use is a blank or severely congested fixture list combined with injuries and suspensions. You can field eleven players who are guaranteed to feature, then hand the keys back.
- Blank gameweeks — fixtures wiped out by cup ties
- Mass injuries or suspensions — avoid fielding non-starters
- A brutal run of fixtures — target a one-off set of kind matchups
Free Hit vs Wildcard: Key Differences
Understanding the distinction matters. Per the official FPL rules, the wildcard is a permanent rebuild, while the free hit is temporary. You typically get one free hit per season, so timing beats impulse.
A common mistake is using a free hit too early on a whim. Managers who save it for a blank gameweek or a double gameweek plan usually gain far more. Remember: any transfers made with a free hit are undone, so you never lose your original team shape.
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