Last updated on November 18th, 2025
All football fans have an element of ‘armchair manager’ criticising team selections when things don’t go to plan. Of course, the opportunity to manage a football team where you have millions to spend on players is not something that most people will achieve, but fantasy football gets people pretty close and provides a competitive element.
Hundreds of thousands of football fans test their knowledge and skill by selecting a team within a set budget that they think will perform on a weekly basis, with players afforded points based on their performance. But interest can begin to fade after the excitement at the start of the season, so we have explored alternatives and ways to cure this boredom.
Fantasy Football Popularity in the UK
A reported 9 million players take part in the official Premier League fantasy football league, making it the most supported platform of its kind in the world. While it has continued to grow in popularity, operators are always looking at ways to improve the user experience.
This season, for example, the boost chips, including bench boost, triple captain, and wildcard, can be played before the New Year, and are reset after. This gives players an excellent opportunity to exceed previous records.
The challenge of trying to compete within budget is something that keeps players coming back.
Fantasy Football Alternatives
Despite the excellent details and statistics provided, it can be difficult for players to stay interested for the whole season, with some alternatives and ways to make it more exciting listed below.
Betting on Football
The additional statistical knowledge that fantasy football players gain by looking at players, their form, and who they are up against can help to give consumers an advantage when betting on football. While there is never any guarantee of an outcome, having as much knowledge as possible about a fixture can help to mitigate risk.
UK consumers have access to a variety of football markets when using the best betting sites online. They can then search for the best prices to ensure they would enjoy the highest return possible.
Fantasy Football players will benefit from knowing how players have performed, as well as having access to all the latest injury and suspension news. For example, a striker on a hot run of form coming up against a team that is struggling might seem like a good option, but it could be the case that a teammate with a lot of assists is injured or suspended.
Similarly, the return of an influential player could help a team whose form has slumped in their absence. Using the information gathered from playing fantasy football and putting it to use in a way that can win real money can make it more exciting for players.
Football Manager Simulation Games
Picking a fantasy team is limited by how real managers set their team out. Anyone who has captained a player only to find them rested for the game will understand how frustrating this can be.
Instead, players can explore manager simulation games like Football Manager, where they can pick teams and sign players. This helps to give fantasy players a better understanding of player abilities and positions, with scouting on simulation games typically at a high level.
Set Up Mini-Leagues and Competitions in the Fantasy Platform
Mini leagues and cup competitions among friend groups and work colleagues can make the game more competitive than just taking part in the default leagues. With so many players in the general leagues, it is difficult to make an impact, whereas smaller leagues can see a big point tally influence table position much more clearly.
Cup competitions are also fun, with anyone able to compete, no matter how bad a season they are having. Knockout cups see managers face each other on specific match weeks, with the person with the highest points progressing to the next stage.
This keeps interest alive for the full season, reducing the risk of players losing interest as they have nothing left to play for.
Set Yourself Limitations or Personal Challenges
Players are automatically limited by transfer fees, starting with £100 million to spend on a team of 11 first-team players and 4 subs. Player values will change throughout the season, and will start based on previous performances and how likely new signings are to make an impact.
Players like Erling Haaland and Mo Salah have massive values, so players have to consider whether they should invest in players like this who are almost guaranteed high point returns, or spread their money across other solid performers that are worth less.
Players can change their squads through the season, but setting additional limits can make this more challenging. For example, an all-English team, a team made up of players outside the ‘big 6’, and other limitations can all make it a more challenging experience.
Conclusion
Everyone falls in and out of love with different games, but there are ways to get back in your groove, especially with fantasy football. Putting your money where your mouth is and placing bets based on your team selections, using your knowledge to take the reins as a manager in video games, and setting yourself alternative challenges can all make a difference.
