FPL Introduce New ‘Defensive Contributions’ Rule For 2025/26 Season

A new rule change has been introduced in FPL ahead of the 2025/26 season, with players now able to accumulate points through ‘defensive contributions’.

FPL Introduce Defensive Contributions for 2025/26: How Does It Work?

As we approach the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season, FPL have announced the introduction of a brand new ‘defensive contributions’ rule in their long-standing game.

This means that players will now be able to earn points by making defensive actions.

These are blocks, tackles, interceptions, clearances and recoveries, and no single player can earn more than two points per game for making defensive contributions.

A statement from FPL reads: “This season, any defender who reaches a combined total of 10 clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles (CBIT) in a single match will score two FPL points.

“It’s similar to the fact that when a goalkeeper makes three saves, they earn an extra one point in Fantasy.

“But unlike save points, defensive contribution points will be capped at two points per match, so if a defender makes 20 CBIT in a match, they would still collect just two points, not four – although they might get further rewards through the Bonus Points System.”

The statement continued, explaining why midfielders and forwards have an additional defensive action (ball recoveries) that helps them reach their defensive contribution quota.

“To recognise the defensive work done by midfielders and forwards, including pressing and transitioning defence into attack, they get extra rewards that defenders don’t.

“In addition to their clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles, their “ball recoveries” will also count towards their total of defensive contributions (CBIRT).

“These recoveries include a range of actions that defensive midfielders in particular are good at, like being first to a loose ball.

“Notably, what they do with the ball after securing it is taken into account when awarding a recovery. The player will often be rewarded for starting a counter-attack, or for securing stable possession for their team by making the first controlled pass after a moment where the two sides have fought for the ball.

“Because midfielders and forwards can benefit from these extra recovery actions, they have to get MORE defensive contributions in total to earn their two FPL points. They have to get 12 defensive contributions, whereas defenders only need 10.”

Defensive actions for defensive contribution points:

–    Blocks
–    Tackles
–    Interceptions
–    Clearances
–    Recoveries (midfielders and forwards only)

10 defensive contributions = 2 points for defenders

12 defensive contributions = 2 points for midfielders and forwards

Defensive contribution points are capped at 2 points per match for all players.

Top Players For Defensive Contributions in 2024/25

According to the FPL website, based on projected points, here are the players that would’ve accumulated the most points via defensive contributions last season.

When Does FPL 2025/26 Come Out?

As revealed in our FPL 2025/26 preview, the official launch date hasn’t yet been confirmed.

Last year, the game was released on 17 July, 30 days before the start of Gameweek 1. In the two years prior, it was launched on 5 July, 37 and 31 days before the campaign got underway.

Based on the above, it is expected that FPL will come out in the coming days.

The official FPL account on X (formerly Twitter) has already been teasing player prices, which also suggests that launch day is near.

After breaking the record for the most points in a single season, 2024/25 top FPL points scorer Mohamed Salah has been tipped to start the campaign as the most expensive player.

Additionally, the best cash out betting sites have him as the second favourite to finish as the division’s top goalscorer. Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is ahead of him in the market.