FPL Blank and Double Gameweeks 2025/26: The Complete Strategy Guide

Published on: 4. March 2026

A successful Fantasy Premier League season often comes down to how well you navigate the blank and double gameweeks - those tricky rounds when some teams don’t play at all while others play twice.

What Is a Blank and Double Gameweek?

In Fantasy Premier League, not every team plays in every gameweek. Cup competitions clash with the league schedule – and the result is two types of gameweeks that can either make or break your rank:

Blank Gameweek = one or more teams have no fixture. Their players return zero points.

Double Gameweek = one or more teams play twice. Their players get double the chance to score.

Experienced FPL managers don't just survive these weeks – they build their entire end-of-season strategy around them.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Imagine you have four Arsenal players. Blank Gameweek 31 arrives – Arsenal don't play. While everyone else racks up points, you're standing still.
Or flip it: you know City are playing twice in Double Gameweek 33. Moving Haaland into your starting XI at exactly the right moment? That's the difference between an average manager and a top one.
FPL isn't just about picking the best players. It's about timing.

Blank and Double Gameweeks in 2025/26: Full Overview

Blank Gameweek 31: What We Know

Arsenal and Wolves are confirmed blankers. Arsenal reached the Carabao Cup Final and their fixture against Wolves was moved forward, creating Double Gameweek 26.

Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace is more complicated. City also made the Carabao Cup Final. Their match against Palace is expected to be postponed – but Palace couldn't play earlier due to a Europa Conference League playoff clash.

Most likely outcome: City and Palace also blank in GW31. Their fixture shifts to Double Gameweek 33.

What does this mean for your team?

Arsenal, City, and potentially Palace assets in GW31 = zero return. If you're holding three or more of these players, that's your signal to act – or at least save your Free Hit for exactly this situation.

Blank Gameweek 34: The Big Unknown

This one's harder to call. GW34 clashes with the FA Cup Semi-Finals – and until the quarter-final round is complete, we won't know exactly who's involved.
Up to 8 teams could blank in GW34. That's a massive hole in the schedule – and a massive opportunity for managers holding players from teams that do have a fixture.
Postponed GW34 matches will most likely be rescheduled into Double Gameweek 33 or 36, with GW33 currently the more probable destination.

Why Are There Fewer Blanks This Season?

Good news: the FA Cup changed its format. Quarter-finals now have their own dedicated slot in the calendar, meaning they no longer clash with the league. Historically, this was one of the biggest sources of blank and double gameweeks.

There are fewer disruptions in 2025/26 – but the ones that exist carry significant weight.

Chip Strategy: The Optimal Plan for the Rest of the Season

FPL chips are like power plays. Used at the right moment, they define your season. Used wrong, they're gone – and you can't get them back.
The FPL community has converged on one sequence that maximises the structure of the remaining gameweeks.

Here it is:

Recommended Chip Sequence: GW31 → GW34

① GW31 – Survive the Blank Without Using a Chip

Arsenal, Wolves, Manchester City, and Crystal Palace don't play. Your goal isn't to win the gameweek – it's to minimise the damage.

Make sure your blanking players are on the bench. If you planned ahead, you've already got 11 active players with a fixture. If not, consider a targeted transfer – but don't waste a chip.

Chip: none. Save them for what's coming.

② GW32 – Wildcard

This is your rebuild moment. After GW31, you'll know exactly which teams are doubling in GW33. Play your Wildcard and load your squad with double gameweek assets.

Priorities when building:

Players from GW33 double teams with strong form
Forwards and midfielders with direct goal involvement
A solid bench – because Bench Boost is coming

Chip: Wildcard in GW32.

③ GW33 – Bench Boost

GW33 is likely the biggest double gameweek of the season. Up to 8 teams could play twice. If you've built your squad correctly after the GW32 Wildcard, all 15 players have the potential to play twice.

That's when you activate Bench Boost. Instead of your bench watching from the sidelines, all four substitutes suddenly return points across two matches. In a strong DGW, this can add 30–50+ extra points compared to a standard gameweek.

Chip: Bench Boost in GW33.

④ GW34 – Free Hit

After the big double comes the blank. GW34 is shaping up to be one of the emptiest gameweeks of the season – potentially 8 teams without a fixture.

The Free Hit chip lets you build a temporary squad entirely from players who do have a fixture in GW34. After the gameweek, you revert automatically to your original squad.

Chip: Free Hit in GW34.

The Sequence at a Glance

What If I've Already Used My Wildcard?

You're not alone – plenty of managers are in this position. The good news: the plan still works, just with less flexibility.

Focus on targeted transfers leading into GW33 – prioritise double fixture players
BB GW33 + FH GW34 is still a strong chip combination on its own
Hold free transfers where possible – injuries before GW33 will require reactive moves

As the community puts it: it's not easy with the injuries around at the moment – which is exactly why having transfers in the bank right now matters.

How to Think About This Like a Top FPL Manager

The most common mistake: panic transfers right before the deadline. The best managers don't operate gameweek to gameweek. They plan 3–5 weeks ahead. They track who has doubles, who has blanks, who's playing at home vs. away.
A few questions worth asking yourself right now:

How many of my players blank in GW31? If it's more than 3, it's time to act.
Do I still have my Free Hit chip? If yes, protect it – it's valuable for GW34.
Which players from top teams have double gameweeks? Those are your priority targets. Plan transfers ahead of time, not in reaction.

Last updated: March 2026. Data based on the current 2025/26 Premier League season.

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