What Is Bench Boost in Fantasy Premier League?

Fantasy Premier League hands out a handful of powerful chips each season, and Bench Boost is the one that sneaks extra points past your rivals. So what is Bench Boost in Fantasy Premier League? It is a chip that adds the points scored by all four of your substitutes to your gameweek total.

TL;DR: Bench Boost lets all four of your bench players score points for one gameweek instead of only your starting XI.

How Bench Boost Works

Normally, substitutes only enter your score if a starter fails to play, and the bench is essentially cover. Play the Bench Boost chip and that changes completely: every point your four bench players earn is added to your total, giving you a 15-man scoring squad for one gameweek.

According to the official FPL rules, chips must be activated before the gameweek deadline. Since 2015, managers have received each chip once in the first half of the season and again in the second half. Chips do not carry over, so an unused Bench Boost is lost forever.

Timing Is Everything

The chip's value depends entirely on your bench. The classic strategy is to play it during a Double Gameweek, when several clubs play twice and your bench players can bank points from multiple fixtures. Blank Gameweeks, where teams have no match, are the worst time to use it.

How to Get the Most From Your Bench

Before pulling the trigger, set up your squad accordingly:

• Bring in cheap, in-form starters from teams with a favourable fixture, ideally a double.
• Ensure all 15 players are fit and likely to start — a bench of non-playing defenders destroys the chip.
• Check press conferences for rotation risk before the deadline.

A well-timed Bench Boost can add 20 to 30 points, often the difference in a tight mini-league.

Why Managers Love the Chip

Bench Boost rewards squad depth, not just your star names, and Wikipedia notes it remains one of the game's core chips alongside the Wildcard, Triple Captain, and Free Hit.

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