When Does FPL 2026/27 Start? Launch Date, GW1 Deadline & Key Dates

FPL 2026/27 key dates at a glance

The GW1 deadline is 90 minutes before the first kick-off of the gameweek — 18:30 BST on Friday 21 August 2026.

Why is the season starting later than usual?

The 2026/27 campaign starts a week later than a typical Premier League season to give players extra recovery time after the 2026 World Cup, which runs deep into July. That squeezes the calendar at the other end too: the season is built from 33 weekends and five midweek rounds, finishing on 30 May 2027.

For FPL managers, the World Cup matters beyond the calendar. Players who go deep in the tournament — especially those who play into the final weekend on 19 July — will have had barely a month off before GW1. Expect managed minutes and early-season rotation for World Cup finalists, and factor that into your GW1 squad.

Is the FPL game live yet?

Yes — the 2026/27 game opened on Thursday 23 July 2026. Player prices, chip rules and the new 2026/27 features are all confirmed, registration is open, and squad-building season has officially begun. You've got until the GW1 deadline on 21 August to finalise your team.

Not sure how chips work or expecting rule changes? Our FPL chips guide is kept up to date for the new season.

What to do before the GW1 deadline

• Study the fixtures. The full 2026/27 fixture list is already out. Look for teams with kind opening runs — they're where your GW1 core should come from. Our fixture difficulty tool rates every match for attack and defence.
• Review last season honestly. Where did your rank rise and fall? Our captain history analysis shows how many points your armband left on the table.
• Line up your mini-leagues. Leagues reset each season. Get codes out to rivals early, and read our data-driven guide to winning your mini-league before they do.
• Watch pre-season minutes, not pre-season goals. Friendly goals are noise; who starts and who plays 60+ minutes is signal — especially for World Cup returners.
• Draft squads now. Prices are out — build drafts in the wildcard planner and stress-test them with the AI assistant.

FAQs

When does the 2026/27 Premier League season start?

The 2026/27 Premier League season starts on Friday 21 August 2026, with champions Arsenal hosting newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates. The start is a week later than usual to give players extra recovery time after the 2026 World Cup, which finishes on 19 July.

When does the FPL 2026/27 game launch?

It's already live. The FPL 2026/27 game opened on Thursday 23 July 2026 — you can register, pick your squad and see every player's price now. Squad-building season is officially open.

When is the FPL Gameweek 1 deadline for 2026/27?

The GW1 deadline is Friday 21 August 2026 at 18:30 BST (17:30 UTC), 90 minutes before Arsenal v Coventry City kicks off the season at 20:00 BST. Lock in your squad, captain and transfers before then.

When does the 2026/27 season finish?

The final round of the 2026/27 Premier League season is on Sunday 30 May 2027, when all 10 fixtures kick off simultaneously. The season is made up of 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds.

Have the 2026/27 fixtures been released?

Yes — the full 2026/27 Premier League fixture list is already out, so you can start planning your GW1 squad around early fixture runs before the FPL game even opens.

Does my FPL team carry over from last season?

No. Everyone starts fresh each season with a new £100m budget, and mini-leagues need to be created or renewed. Your team name and account carry over, but squads, points and league standings reset.