How to play
Rules
With its brand new and improved look, this year's installment of the ultimate fantasy football game also comes with a few new rules and scoring opportunities - so make sure you familiarise yourself with all the details before selecting your team.
The competition and prizes are open to players worldwide.
Squad Selection
Please note: you may only select one squad per season - multiple squads will be deleted.
Your squad must consist of:
- Two Goalkeepers
- Five Defenders
- Five Midfielders
- Three Forwards
The number of players you can select from a single team depends on the stage of the competition.
| Stage | Players from a single team | Group stage | 2 | Round of 32 | 3 | Round of 16 | 4 | Quarter-finals | 5 | Semi-finals | 6 | Final | 12 |
|---|
Budget
Just as real managers have to, you too must manage your budget and work within your means.
Your initial squad value must not exceed €100m
Once the group stage is complete, each team will be given an additional €5m
Scoring
Based on their performance, players will be allocated a point score after each game. Points are awarded as indicated below:
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Playing in a game | 1 |
| Playing at least 60 minutes in a game (includes points mentioned above) | 2 |
| Goal scored by a goalkeeper or defender | 6 |
| Goal scored by a midfielder | 5 |
| Goal scored by a forward | 4 |
| For each assist* | 3 |
| Goalkeeper not conceding while on pitch (must play at least 60 minutes) | 4 |
| Defender not conceding while on pitch (must play at least 60 minutes) | 4 |
| Midfielder not conceding while on pitch (must play at least 60 minutes) | 1 |
| Earning a penalty | 1 |
| Conceding a penalty | -1 |
| Penalty miss | -2 |
| Penalty save | 5 |
| For every two goals conceded by a goalkeeper or defender | -1 |
| Yellow card | -1 |
| Red card (includes yellow card deduction) | -3 |
The Points will be calculated using data provided on behalf of UEFA. Neither we nor UEFA will enter into any correspondence relating to the allocation of points to players. We accept no responsibility for the accuracy of this data.
Assists
A player will be credited with a 'goal assist' when he delivers/plays the final pass, cross, header or shot, which leads to the goal being scored. This will also apply to set plays (i.e. corner, free kick, throw-in etc.). In addition, An attempt, which rebounds from the goal frame, the goalkeeper or a defender, can be considered as an assist, if it leads directly to a goal. When a pass, shot or cross by an attacker contributes to an own goal, an assist can be awarded to the attacker. Only one player can be credited with an assist per goal scored. No assist is awarded to a player winning a penalty or a free kick. No assist is given to a player who creates his own goalscoring opportunity (i.e. solo run/dribble).
Deadlines
Your team must be entered by the matchday deadline to score points for that matchday. You may make manager substitutions and captain changes during a matchday. Any transfers made after the deadline will become active at the next deadline.
Each deadline is listed below:
| Matchday | Deadline |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20 Sep 19.00 |
| 2 | 04 Oct 18.00 |
| 3 | 25 Oct 18.00 |
| 4 | 08 Nov 18.00 |
| 5 | 22 Nov 18.00 |
| 6 | 06 Dec 19.00 |
| Round of 32 first leg | 14 Feb 17.45 |
| Round of 32 second leg | 21 Feb 17.45 |
| Round of 16 first leg | 07 Mar 17.45 |
| Round of 16 second leg | 14 Mar 17.45 |
| Quarter-final first leg | 04 Apr 20.50 |
| Quarter-final second leg | 11 Apr 17.45 |
| Semi-final first leg | 24 Apr 20.50 |
| Semi-final second leg | 02 May 20.50 |
| Final | 15 May 20.30 |
* All times are CET
Substitutions
Use the 'My Team' page to select eleven players to form your team for the next matchday. Your formation will automatically change based on the players you have chosen.
Your substitutes do not score points. However, they may be brought into your team at the end of the Matchday as a result of automatic substitutions.
Automatic substitutions
If your goalkeeper plays no part in the matchday, then the computer will substitute the player for your replacement goalkeeper, if they played in the matchday.
If any of your outfield players play no part in the matchday, then the computer will try to substitute the inactive player for one of your replacements. This is done by replacing them with your highest priority substitute who actually played in the matchday. You can change your substitution priorities on the 'My Team' page.
Captains
You must nominate a member of your team to be captain. This player will score double the number of points they would usually have been awarded that matchday.
If your captain does not play then the bonus will be lost. Another player will not take over the captaincy in their place.
Transfers
Use the transfers page to change your squad for the next matchday. The number of free transfers which can be made are as follows:
| Matchday | Free transfers |
|---|---|
| 1 | Unlimited |
| 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 1 |
| 4 | 1 |
| 5 | 1 |
| 6 | 1 |
| Round of 32 first leg | Unlimited |
| Round of 32 second leg | 1 |
| Round of 16 first leg | 6 |
| Round of 16 second leg | 1 |
| Quarter-final first leg | 6 |
| Quarter-final second leg | 1 |
| Semi-final first leg | 6 |
| Semi-final second leg | 1 |
| Final | 6 |
Any additional transfers made in the same period will deduct 2 points from your total.
Transfer wildcard
You can play 1 transfer wildcard a season. All transfers made in the matchday your wildcard is played will be without points deduction.
Leagues
Each player competes and is automatically entered in a number of leagues. These are:
The overall league involving all registered players
A league for fellow players from your country
A league for supporters of your favourite team (optional)
Private leagues with your friends and colleagues (optional)
Teams are ranked based on the total points in the game. In the event of a tie between teams, the team which has registered the most goals during the competition will be positioned higher.
If a tie remains, the team which has registered the most assists during the competition will be positioned higher, followed my most clean sheets registered. In the unlikely event that teams remain tied at this stage, the team that was entered in the competition first will be named the winner.
For information on any prizes available to the highest overall scorers, please see the prizes page.
