The Mini-League Chairman’s Guide (2025/26 Season)

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Created by FPL Pro Leagues — built for chairmen, by chairmen

Why This Guide Exists

If you've ever run an FPL mini-league, you already know:

  • People stop paying attention by January.
  • You end up chasing entry fees for weeks.
  • No one remembers what the prize rules were.
  • And somehow you are left doing all the admin.

This guide is here to change that. Whether you're running a mates league, a workplace competition, or a community setup — we'll help you keep things fun, fair, and competitive all season long.

This isn't about turning your league into a spreadsheet. It's about giving you tools, ideas, and structure to make your life easier — and your league better.

Pre-Season Checklist

Set yourself up for a smoother season by ticking off these essentials before the game even reopens:

Admin & Setup
Rules and Expectations
Tools & Extras
Entry Fee Options & Prize Ideas

A strong prize setup gets people invested — emotionally and financially. Here are a few structures that work:

Basic Prize Formats

£10 Entry League (10+ players):

  • 🥇 Winner: 50%
  • 🥈 Runner-up: 30%
  • 🥉 Third place: 20%

£5 Entry League (20+ players):

  • Monthly Top Scorer Prizes (£5 each month)
  • Remaining pot to Top 3 overall

Workplace League (No cash):

  • Trophy, team meal, or bragging rights prize
  • “Fantasy Footballer of the Month” mug or desk award

Creative Prize Add-Ons

  • “Last Man Standing” — lowest scorer each week is eliminated (winner takes side pot)
  • Cup Competition — separate prize for knockout winner (even mid-table teams stay interested)
  • “Biggest Bottler” or “Worst Captain Pick” award voted by league
  • Prize for best team name, decided in a poll

Entry Collection Tips

  • Use PayPal pools, Monzo pots, or Revolut links
  • Log who's paid in a Google Sheet or automate with FPLPL
  • Set a payment deadline before GW1

League Formats & Side Competitions

Don't just run the default table — keep it spicy all season with side games.

Popular Formats

Knockout Cup (16–32 players)

  • Start around GW10
  • Single elimination or two-leg ties

Monthly High Score Prize

  • Top GW scorer each month gets a bonus
  • Great for mid-table managers to stay engaged

Mini-League Within a League

  • Break your league into sub-groups (offices, friend circles)
  • Track which group performs best each month

Last Man Standing

  • Eliminate lowest score each week
  • Winner gets bragging rights + side pot

Seasonal Structure Example

Gameweek RangeCompetitionNotes
GW1–GW10Standard LeagueSet tone + early lead drama
GW11–GW18Knockout CupMid-season tension builder
GW19–GW30Monthly PrizesKeeps focus through the dip
GW31–GW38Final Push Awards“Most Improved” or “Wildcard King”

FPL Pro Leagues will help automate much of this — but even manually, it's doable with some planning.

Weekly Engagement Playbook

Want people talking in the group chat all season? Here's what works:

Monday Report Template

Send this every week:

  • Top 3 GW scorers
  • Overall league standings
  • Chip usage updates (who dropped a Triple Captain in GW4?!)
  • Funny fails or unlucky moments

Bonus Content Ideas:

  • “Captain Chaos” (worst captain pick each week)
  • Chip leaderboard
  • Best transfer of the week
  • “Smuggest Bench” (highest points left unused)

You can automate this with FPL Pro Leagues or build it manually using FPL API tools.

Handy Tools & Templates

Here's everything you need to get up and running:

Final Word

FPL is supposed to be fun — for you too. With a little structure and the right tools, you can run a league that's genuinely exciting all year… and doesn't make you want to quit in February.

This guide is yours to share. Got feedback? Better ideas? Drop a comment on Reddit or DM @fplproguy.

Now go be the chairman your league actually thanks in May.

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