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

FPL 2026/27 key dates at a glance

The GW1 deadline is normally 90 minutes before the first kick-off of the gameweek. Exact times are confirmed when the game launches.

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.

When will the FPL game go live?

The Premier League hasn't announced the launch date yet. In recent seasons the game has opened roughly three to five weeks before GW1, which points to late July 2026. When it launches you'll get player prices, confirmed chip rules and any new features for 2026/27 — and squad-building season officially begins.

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 game launches

• 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 season review and captain history analysis show 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 when prices drop. Once the game launches, 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?

The official launch date hasn't been confirmed yet. FPL usually opens three to five weeks before Gameweek 1, which points to a launch in late July 2026. The exact date is typically announced on fantasy.premierleague.com about a week in advance — we'll update this page as soon as it's confirmed.

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

The GW1 deadline will fall on Friday 21 August 2026, 90 minutes before the opening kick-off between Arsenal and Coventry City. For a standard 20:00 BST Friday Night Football kick-off, that means a deadline around 18:30 BST — to be confirmed when the game launches.

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.