FPL Alternatives
The best fantasy football platforms beyond FPL
Contents
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Why look beyond FPL
Fantasy Premier League is brilliant — over 11 million players worldwide prove that. But it has real limitations. It covers a single league in a single format with a full annual reset. There are no cash prizes, no draft modes (beyond the separate Draft game), no European competitions, and very little room to customise how your league works.
If you've been playing FPL for years, you might find yourself wanting midweek fantasy action during Champions League nights, a draft league with mates, the chance to win actual money, or simply a different scoring system that rewards a different kind of football knowledge.
The good news: the fantasy football landscape in 2026 is broader than ever. From blockchain-based card games to official European league fantasy platforms, there's a format for every type of player. Here's what's out there.
Types of fantasy football
Not all fantasy football games work the same way. Understanding the different formats helps you find the right fit:
Traditional season-long
Pick a squad within a budget, earn points across the full season. FPL is the archetype.
Daily fantasy
Build a new lineup for a single matchday or gameweek. Often involves cash entry fees and prizes.
Blockchain / NFT
Collect digital player cards (NFTs) and enter them into tournaments. Cards have real tradeable value.
European league officials
Official fantasy games run by UEFA, La Liga, Bundesliga, and Serie A for their respective competitions.
Draft format
Each player can only be owned by one manager. Snake drafts, waiver wires, and trades — US-style fantasy.
A note on gambling
Several platforms in this guide involve real money — daily fantasy contests, cash prize tournaments, and NFT card trading with fluctuating values. We want to be upfront about the risks.
Research published in the Journal of Gambling Studies found that 81% of fantasy sports players also bet on sports, and over half had gambled on fantasy football specifically. The fast turnaround of daily fantasy — pick a lineup, find out if you've won within hours — creates the same anticipation-and-reward loop as traditional betting. NFT platforms involve spending real money on digital assets whose value fluctuates, which is speculative by nature regardless of how it is classified.
We list these platforms because they exist and people use them. But we do not encourage gambling, and we think it is worth being honest about the risks before you sign up. The regulatory picture and available support varies by where you live.
United Kingdom
Daily fantasy platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings are regulated as gambling by the Gambling Commission. The Commission's 2024/25 survey found that 2.7% of UK adults are problem gamblers (PGSI 8+), rising to around 10% among 18–24 year olds. Among 11–17 year olds, 30% had spent their own money on gambling in the past year. Young men are disproportionately affected.
- GambleAware — free, confidential advice and support. Call 0808 8020 133.
- GamCare — counselling, live chat, and a national helpline.
- GAMSTOP — free self-exclusion from all UK-licensed gambling sites.
United States
Daily fantasy sports regulation varies by state. FanDuel and DraftKings are legal in most states but banned or restricted in several — check your state's rules before depositing money. The American Gaming Association estimates that around 1% of US adults meet the criteria for severe gambling problems, with an additional 2–3% experiencing moderate harm. Sports bettors aged 18–34 are the fastest-growing risk group.
- National Council on Problem Gambling — call or text 1-800-522-4700 (24/7).
- 1-800-GAMBLER — confidential referral service available nationwide.
International
Daily fantasy and real-money contest legality varies widely. Some countries ban it outright, others regulate it as gambling, and some have no specific legislation at all. If a platform asks for a deposit, check whether it is licensed in your jurisdiction before signing up.
- Gambling Therapy — free, multilingual support available worldwide via live chat and forums.
- Gordon Moody — residential and online treatment for gambling addiction (international referrals accepted).
Platform comparison
Every FPL alternative compared side by side — filter by type to narrow down
| Platform | Type | Price | Platforms | App | Free | Coverage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FPL | Traditional | Free | Web, iOS, Android | Premier League | The baseline — the game everyone knows | ||
| Sky Sports Fantasy Football | Traditional | Free | Web, iOS, Android | Premier League | FPL players who want a different scoring challenge | ||
| Fantrax | Traditional | Freemium ($7.99/mo for commissioner features) | Web, iOS, Android | Multi-sport, global football leagues | Hardcore players who want total control over league settings | ||
| FanTeam | Traditional | Free entry + paid contests | Web, iOS, Android | Premier League, Champions League, top European leagues | Competitive players who want to win real money | ||
| FanDuel | Daily | Freemium | Web, iOS, Android | Multiple sports (US-focused), Premier League, Champions League | Players who want quick, high-stakes single-matchday contests | ||
| DraftKings | Daily | Freemium | Web, iOS, Android | Multiple sports (US-focused), Premier League, Champions League | Daily fantasy players who want an alternative to FanDuel | ||
| Sorare | Blockchain | Free to play (NFT cards cost real money) | Web, iOS, Android | 500+ licensed clubs globally | Collectors and traders who enjoy the NFT marketplace element | ||
| RealFevr | Blockchain | Free to play | Web | Selected leagues (video moment focus) | Early adopters interested in video NFT collectables | ||
| UCL Fantasy | European | Free | Web, iOS, Android | Champions League | FPL players who want midweek fantasy action in Europe | ||
| La Liga Fantasy | European | Free | Web, iOS, Android | La Liga | La Liga fans who want official fantasy coverage of Spanish football | ||
| Bundesliga Fantasy Manager | European | Free | Web, iOS, Android | Bundesliga | Bundesliga fans wanting official fantasy gameplay | ||
| Fantacalcio | European | Free | Web, iOS, Android | Serie A | Serie A fans who enjoy auction-draft fantasy formats | ||
| FPL Draft Mode | Draft | Free | Web, iOS, Android | Premier League | Friend groups who want a US-style fantasy draft for the Premier League | ||
| Draft Fantasy Football | Draft | Free | Web, iOS, Android | Premier League and select European leagues | Groups who want a dedicated US-style draft fantasy experience |
The baseline — the game everyone knows
FPL players who want a different scoring challenge
Hardcore players who want total control over league settings
Competitive players who want to win real money
Players who want quick, high-stakes single-matchday contests
Daily fantasy players who want an alternative to FanDuel
Collectors and traders who enjoy the NFT marketplace element
Early adopters interested in video NFT collectables
FPL players who want midweek fantasy action in Europe
La Liga fans who want official fantasy coverage of Spanish football
Bundesliga fans wanting official fantasy gameplay
Serie A fans who enjoy auction-draft fantasy formats
Friend groups who want a US-style fantasy draft for the Premier League
Groups who want a dedicated US-style draft fantasy experience
Traditional season-long
These platforms follow the classic fantasy football model: pick a squad within a budget, manage transfers across the season, and compete in leagues. If you enjoy FPL's format but want more depth, different scoring, or cash prizes, these are your options.
The baseline — the game everyone knows
- Largest fantasy football community worldwide
- Completely free with no pay-to-win elements
- Deep official stats integration
- Massive mini-league culture
- Premier League only — no European or other league coverage
- Rigid format with limited customisation
- No cash prizes
- Season-long commitment with full reset each year
FPL players who want a different scoring challenge
- More nuanced scoring rewards tactical play
- Monthly prizes add extra motivation
- Completely free to play
- Good alternative scoring perspective
- Smaller community than FPL
- Premier League only
- Less third-party tool support
- App can feel dated compared to FPL
Hardcore players who want total control over league settings
- Deepest customisation of any fantasy platform
- Supports dynasty and keeper leagues across seasons
- Covers multiple football leagues globally
- Excellent for serious, long-running private leagues
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Commissioner features require paid subscription
- Interface can feel overwhelming
- Smaller football community (bigger in US sports)
Competitive players who want to win real money
- Real cash prizes for top performers
- FPL-style format feels familiar
- Covers multiple European competitions
- Free entry options available alongside paid
- Gambling element may not suit everyone
- Smaller player pool than FPL
- Not available in all countries due to gambling regulations
- Paid contests can be dominated by experienced players
Daily fantasy
Daily fantasy strips away the season-long commitment. Build a new salary-cap lineup for a single matchday, compete against others, and win cash prizes. It's faster-paced and higher-stakes than traditional fantasy — every matchday is a fresh start.
Be aware: daily fantasy platforms involve real money stakes and are regulated as gambling in many jurisdictions. The rapid contest cycle — pick a lineup, find out within hours — can create habitual patterns. If you would not walk into a betting shop, think carefully before entering paid daily fantasy contests. See our note on gambling above.
Players who want quick, high-stakes single-matchday contests
- No season-long commitment — play any matchday
- Huge contest variety with different entry fees
- Well-designed mobile app
- Large player base ensures big prize pools
- US-focused — limited availability in Europe
- Football coverage secondary to American sports
- Gambling regulation restrictions by jurisdiction
- Can be expensive if entering paid contests regularly
Daily fantasy players who want an alternative to FanDuel
- Slightly different scoring to FanDuel gives variety
- Beginner contests protect new players
- Massive guaranteed prize pools
- Strong mobile experience
- US-focused with limited European availability
- Football is a secondary sport on the platform
- Gambling regulation restrictions
- Experienced players dominate open contests
Blockchain and NFT
Blockchain fantasy platforms blend collecting with competition. You acquire digital player cards — often as NFTs — and enter them into tournaments. The cards themselves have real monetary value and can be traded on marketplaces. It's fantasy football meets trading cards.
Be aware: NFT card platforms involve spending real money on digital assets whose value can drop as well as rise. Competitive play typically requires rare cards that cost hundreds or thousands of pounds. Whether or not this is formally classified as gambling, the financial risk is real. See our note on gambling above.
Collectors and traders who enjoy the NFT marketplace element
- Cards retain and can gain real monetary value
- Officially licensed by major clubs and leagues
- Blend of collecting, trading, and fantasy gameplay
- Global coverage with 500+ clubs
- NFT cards cost real money for competitive play
- Blockchain complexity can deter newcomers
- Card values fluctuate — financial risk involved
- Free (common) cards are far less competitive
Early adopters interested in video NFT collectables
- Unique video moment NFT concept
- Free to start playing
- Novel approach to football collectables
- Smaller community than Sorare
- Experimental platform — still maturing
- Web only, no mobile app
- Limited fantasy gameplay compared to competitors
European league officials
Most major European leagues and competitions now run their own official fantasy games. They're all free, well-maintained, and a natural complement to FPL if you follow football beyond the Premier League.
FPL players who want midweek fantasy action in Europe
- Official UEFA product with reliable data
- Matchday format suits midweek European football
- Great complement to FPL during the week
- Completely free to play
- Champions League only — limited fixture calendar
- Season ends in May with the final
- Smaller player base than FPL
- Less third-party analytics tool support
La Liga fans who want official fantasy coverage of Spanish football
- Official La Liga product with accurate data
- Player market adds a trading dimension
- Hugely popular in Spain
- Completely free to play
- La Liga only — no cross-league coverage
- Interface primarily designed for Spanish-speaking users
- Less international community engagement
- Fewer English-language resources and guides
Bundesliga fans wanting official fantasy gameplay
- Official Bundesliga product
- Clean interface with good matchday experience
- Free to play with no paywalled features
- Strong integration with Bundesliga broadcast coverage
- Bundesliga only
- Smaller international player base
- Saturday 3pm kick-offs mean compressed matchdays
- Fewer third-party tools and community resources
Serie A fans who enjoy auction-draft fantasy formats
- Hugely popular in Italy — a cultural institution
- Auction draft format adds strategic depth
- Decades of history and community knowledge
- Free to play with comprehensive features
- Serie A only
- Primarily Italian-language interface and community
- Auction format has a steeper learning curve than budget-based
- Less accessible for non-Italian speakers
Draft format
Draft fantasy removes the budget entirely. Instead, managers take turns picking players in a snake draft — once a player is taken, nobody else can have them. It adds waiver wires, trades, and a head-to-head format that feels closer to American fantasy sports. It's the best format for close-knit friend groups.
Friend groups who want a US-style fantasy draft for the Premier League
- Official FPL product — reliable and well-maintained
- No budget management — pure player evaluation
- Head-to-head format adds weekly drama
- Free and integrated with the FPL ecosystem
- Requires a group of friends to draft with
- Less engaging as a solo experience
- Premier League only
- Smaller feature set compared to dedicated draft platforms
Groups who want a dedicated US-style draft fantasy experience
- Dedicated draft-format platform with deep features
- Waiver wire adds mid-season strategy
- Head-to-head format every gameweek
- Active community of draft-format enthusiasts
- Smaller player base than FPL
- Requires committed league members for best experience
- Less mainstream — fewer online resources
- Rebranded multiple times (Togga, then Draft)
Recommendations
What to play, based on what you're after
FPL player wanting a fresh challenge
You've played FPL for years and fancy something different without abandoning the format you know. Try a new league or a deeper customisation layer.
Start with UCL Fantasy for midweek Champions League action alongside your FPL team. Add La Liga Fantasy for weekend variety. Move to Fantrax if you want fully customisable scoring and dynasty leagues.
Competitive player wanting cash prizes
You're good at fantasy football and want to put your skills to the test for real money. Daily fantasy and tournament platforms offer cash contests.
FanTeam is the best option for European-based players — it runs FPL-style salary-cap tournaments with cash prizes. FanDuel and DraftKings are stronger in the US market with larger prize pools across multiple sports.
Group of mates wanting a private draft league
You want a private league with your friends where each player is owned by one manager, with drafts, trades, and waiver wires.
FPL Draft Mode is the simplest starting point — it's built into the official FPL platform. Fantrax gives you the deepest customisation if your group wants control over every setting. Draft Fantasy Football offers a solid middle ground with US-style features.
Collector and trader type
You enjoy the collecting and marketplace side of things as much as the fantasy gameplay. NFT-based platforms let you build a card collection with real value.
Sorare is the clear leader here with 500+ licensed clubs and an active marketplace. Start with free common cards to learn the game, then invest in rarer cards if you enjoy the trading element. Be aware that card values fluctuate.
European football fan
You follow leagues beyond the Premier League and want fantasy games that cover La Liga, Bundesliga, or Serie A.
Each major European league has its own official fantasy game. La Liga Fantasy is Marca-powered with a player market system. Bundesliga Fantasy Manager offers clean matchday scoring. Fantacalcio is a cultural institution in Italy with a unique auction-draft format.
Key takeaway
FPL is the biggest fantasy football game in the world, but it's far from the only one. Whether you want cash prizes, draft leagues with mates, Champions League fantasy, or NFT card collecting, there's a platform built for exactly that.
For most FPL players, the best starting point is adding UCL Fantasy for midweek European action — it's free, official, and scratches a different itch. If you want deeper customisation, Fantrax is the power-user platform. And if you've got a competitive group of friends, FPL Draft Mode is the easiest way to try the draft format without leaving the FPL ecosystem.
You don't have to choose one or the other — many of these platforms are free and work alongside FPL rather than replacing it.
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