The long-awaited โFantasy EFLโ has officially launched, marking the English Football League’s (EFL) first-ever fantasy football game.
Developed in partnership with Genius Sports, Fantasy EFL allows fans to manage virtual teams composed of players from all three EFL divisions: the Championship, League One, and League Two.
Fantasy EFL offers nearly 2,000 players from the 72 EFL Clubs, giving users a broad pool to create their teams for the 2024/25 season.
Adebayo Akinfenwa, a well-known EFL figure with over two decades of experience and more than 200 goals, is among the many enthusiasts eager to delve into team selections ahead of Gameweek 1.
Akinfenwa expressed his excitement: โThere have been a lot of fans calling for a fantasy football game in the EFL and, now, here it is.
Itโs going to be a challenge picking a team from players across the Championship through to League One and League Two, but Iโm up for it!
As weโve seen with other games, fantasy football gets more people even more interested, excited, and knowledgeable about what happens on the pitch over the course of a season.
The great thing about Fantasy EFL is that thereโs something for everyone, whether youโre a casual or a die-hard fan.โ
Game Format
The hybrid game format requires users to select seven players from across the three divisions and two clubs for extra points each gameweek.
Various formations are available for managers, such as 1-2-2-2, 1-2-3-1, and 1-3-2-1. Gameweeks run from Thursday to Wednesday.
Player & Team Selection
Managers can refresh their squads every gameweek, with unlimited transfers allowed. Player selections can be adjusted up until their match kickoff.
Each gameweek, a captain can be designated to score double points, along with a vice-captain.
Additionally, a ‘Max Captain’ chip can be used twice per season to double the points of the highest-scoring player in the squad.
Managers can select the same player multiple times throughout the season but are limited to choosing the same EFL Club only five times in a season.
Scoring
Scoring aligns with traditional fantasy football mechanisms, similar to Fantasy Premier League, but with a unique twist.
Extra points are awarded for EFL Clubs chosen by managers each gameweek, creating more scoring opportunities and enhancing the competition in public rankings.
Leagues
Participants can join private leagues with friends or compete in public leagues within the Fantasy EFL community.
Each of the 72 EFL Clubs will have its own Club League, alongside a Global League for all users. Prizes include EFL Club Season tickets, Fantasy EFL merchandise, and partner prizes, with monthly rewards for top performers in the main public league.
Winners of individual club leagues at the seasonโs end will receive a 2025/26 Season Ticket to their nominated Club.
Steven Burton, Genius Sports Chief Partnerships Officer, stated: โFantasy EFL is unique, interactive, and fun and Genius Sports is delighted to deliver this exciting new game for the EFL and its Member Clubs.
This new game will test fansโ knowledge of both teams and individual players while providing them with a platform to compete with their friends and family every week.โ
Stay Connected
Participants can keep up with the latest updates on X (@FEFLOfficial).
Available on both web and as a new app for iOS and Android, Fantasy EFL is live and free to play now. Sign up at fantasy.efl.com.