How FPL Bonus Points Work: A Simple Guide
Updated 8 July 2026
Bonus points are one of the most misunderstood parts of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) scoring — and one of the easiest ways to gain (or lose) ground on your mini-league rivals. After every match, up to six extra points are shared between the standout performers, decided behind the scenes by the Bonus Points System (BPS): a running score built from Opta match statistics. The three players with the highest BPS in each game take home bonus, and over a season those points add up fast.
You can watch bonus being provisionally awarded in real time on our live FPL bonus points page, and check any player's season output in the player statistics table.
How Bonus Points Are Awarded
The Bonus Points System (BPS) allocates extra points to the top three performers in each Premier League match. Here's how the standard split works:
- 3 Bonus Points are awarded to the highest BPS scorer.
- 2 Bonus Points go to the second-highest.
- 1 Bonus Point is given to the third-highest scorer.
In the case of ties, bonus points are shared as follows:
- Tie for first place: Players 1 and 2 receive 3 points each, Player 3 receives 1 point.
- Tie for second place: Player 1 gets 3 points, Players 2 and 3 get 2 points each.
- Tie for third place: Player 1 gets 3 points, Player 2 gets 2 points, and Players 3 and 4 get 1 point each.
During a match the bonus you see is provisional — it can shift as more stats come in and is only confirmed once the BPS data is finalised (usually an hour or two after full-time). Our live bonus points page tracks these provisional standings gameweek by gameweek so you know where things stand before the points lock in.
The Bonus Points System (BPS) Breakdown
Players earn BPS based on their actions during the game. Here's a breakdown of the actions that add to a player's BPS score and their respective values:
| Action | BPS Points |
|---|---|
| Playing 1 to 60 minutes | 3 |
| Playing over 60 minutes | 6 |
| Goalkeepers and defenders scoring a goal | 12 |
| Midfielders scoring a goal | 18 |
| Forwards scoring a goal | 24 |
| Assists | 9 |
| Goalkeepers and defenders keeping a clean sheet | 12 |
| Saving a penalty | 9 |
| Each save | 2 |
| Successful open play cross | 1 |
| Creating a big chance | 3 |
| For every 2 clearances, blocks, and interceptions | 1 |
| For every 3 recoveries | 1 |
| Key pass | 1 |
| Successful tackle (net*) | 2 |
| Successful dribble | 1 |
| Scoring the goal that wins the match | 3 |
| Goalline clearance | 3 |
| Foul won | 1 |
| Shot on target | 2 |
| 70-79% pass completion (min 30 passes attempted) | 2 |
| 80-89% pass completion (min 30 passes attempted) | 4 |
| 90%+ pass completion (min 30 passes attempted) | 6 |
* A successful tackle (net) refers to the number of successful tackles after subtracting any unsuccessful attempts.
Negative BPS Actions
Players can also lose BPS for poor performances or mistakes during the match. Here's how points get docked:
| Action | BPS Points |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper/defender conceding a goal | -4 |
| Conceding a penalty | -3 |
| Missing a penalty | -6 |
| Yellow card | -3 |
| Red card | -9 |
| Own goal | -6 |
| Missing a big chance | -3 |
| Making an error which leads to a goal | -3 |
| Making an error which leads to an attempt at goal | -1 |
| Being tackled | -1 |
| Conceding a foul | -1 |
| Being caught offside | -1 |
| Shot off target | -1 |
Using Bonus Points to Your Advantage
1. Target players with high BPS potential
Look for players who consistently contribute in key areas — goals, assists, clean sheets, and successful tackles. Attacking players, playmakers, and ball-playing defenders tend to top the BPS charts. Sort the player statistics table by total points and form to find the season's most reliable scorers, then cross-reference their recent bonus hauls on the live bonus points page.
2. Monitor fixtures and form
Players in good form or with favourable upcoming fixtures are more likely to accumulate bonus. Focus on those heavily involved in their team's attacking and defensive play — you can filter the players table by team and position to zero in on them, and check upcoming matchups on the fixture difficulty planner. High-BPS players also make excellent captaincy picks, since their bonus points get doubled too.
3. Defensive gems
Goalkeepers and defenders who keep clean sheets, rack up saves, or pile up clearances, blocks and interceptions are often BPS magnets — especially in low-scoring games where a 1-0 win hands the back line big BPS with little competition up front.
4. Look for key contributors
Pay attention to players who create big chances, complete key passes, or win fouls. They may not always score or assist, but their playmaking and defensive work can quietly build a match-winning BPS total.
Conclusion
Bonus points are a critical, and often decisive, component of Fantasy Premier League. Understanding how BPS is calculated lets you target players who contribute across the pitch, not just on the scoresheet — and turn those extra one, two and three-point swings into a real mini-league edge. Keep an eye on form and fixtures in the player stats table, follow the action live on the bonus points page, and you'll always know where the bonus is heading before it's confirmed.