The Wildcard is the most powerful chip in Fantasy Premier League because it lets you reshape your entire squad in one move. Used well, it can fix structural issues, jump on fixture swings, and set up your team for long stretches without hits. Used badly, it can waste a huge edge and leave you chasing transfers for weeks.
This guide covers what the Wildcard does, when to use your first and second Wildcard, how to build a strong Wildcard squad, and the mistakes to avoid.
What the FPL Wildcard chip does
The Wildcard allows unlimited transfers in a single Gameweek without any points deductions. Unlike normal transfers, every change you make during that Gameweek is free once the chip is active.
There are usually two Wildcards each season:
- Wildcard 1 (WC1) for the first half of the season
- Wildcard 2 (WC2) for the second half of the season
Once activated, the Wildcard stays active until that Gameweek deadline. You can make as many changes as you want before the deadline and keep adjusting your draft. After the deadline passes, your new squad is locked in.
The key point is that a Wildcard is not just about replacing injured players. It is about resetting your squad structure. That includes captaincy options, premium balance, bench value, and the number of players you want from teams with strong fixtures.
When to use WC1
There is no perfect week that applies to every season, but the first Wildcard is often strongest after the opening few Gameweeks, commonly around Gameweeks 7 to 9. That period tends to work well because several things become clearer:
- New signings have settled
- Minutes and roles are easier to trust
- Early season bandwagons have been tested
- Fixture swings begin to appear
- You have enough information to spot weak spots in your original draft
Another popular time to play WC1 is during an international break. That gives you extra days to monitor injuries, press conferences, and price changes. It also gives you more time to compare drafts without rushing a deadline decision.
Why post-GW7 to GW9 is a common Wildcard window
By this point, your opening squad has usually done its job. Cheap enablers may have lost their place, breakout picks have emerged, and fixture runs start to change. Wildcarding here lets you move from pre-season guesses to evidence-based picks.
If several top teams are about to start a long run of good fixtures, WC1 can help you attack that swing quickly. It also lets you ditch players from teams whose schedules are about to worsen.
When to delay WC1
If your squad is healthy, your core picks are performing, and you can solve problems with free transfers, there is no need to force it. A Wildcard is most valuable when it improves multiple positions at once. If you only want two or three changes, saving the chip is often better.
When to use WC2
The second Wildcard is usually more strategic. In many seasons, it is best used after Gameweek 20 or later, often as part of a plan for Blank Gameweeks and Double Gameweeks.
WC2 is often used to:
- Build towards a Double Gameweek squad
- Prepare for other chips such as Bench Boost
- Navigate blank fixtures caused by cup rescheduling
- Shift funds based on late-season form and motivation
Why WC2 is often linked to Double Gameweeks
Later in the season, fixture rearrangements create weeks where some teams play twice. A Wildcard lets you stack players with two fixtures, set up your bench, and align your squad with the teams most likely to have extra matches.
This is especially useful if you want to Bench Boost soon after. In that case, WC2 is not just about your starting XI. It is about building a 15-man squad with strong minutes and playable fixtures.
Post-GW20 as a useful benchmark
After Gameweek 20, the season is more settled. Rotation patterns, injury records, and team quality are clearer. You can also start planning with more confidence around blanks and doubles, rather than reacting week to week.
How to plan your Wildcard squad
A strong Wildcard draft should balance upside with stability. Do not think only about the next Gameweek. Think about the next four to eight.
Start with the template players
Every period of the season has a core group of highly owned, high-performing players. You do not need to copy the crowd blindly, but you should understand why certain picks are popular. On Wildcard, the template matters because it protects you from rank damage while allowing you to choose your differentials carefully.
Start by identifying:
- Reliable captaincy options
- Best-value defenders and midfielders
- Cheap enablers who actually play
- Attackers with strong underlying numbers and fixtures
Include set-and-forget picks
The best Wildcards are not full of short-term punts. They include a spine of players you are happy to hold through good and average weeks alike. These are your set-and-forget picks.
Look for players with:
- Secure minutes
- Strong role in attack or set pieces
- Long-term fixture appeal
- Good value for price
If too many Wildcard picks need immediate monitoring, your squad can fall apart quickly and force early transfers.
Target fixture swings
Fixture swings are one of the biggest reasons to Wildcard. If a team is about to start a run of favourable matches, a Wildcard can help you buy two or three of their best assets at once. The reverse is also true. It can be the cleanest way to sell players from teams entering a poor schedule.
Try to map the next six Gameweeks rather than chasing one easy fixture. A good Wildcard attacks clusters of good matches.
Protect your squad structure
Think about how money is distributed. Can you move between popular premiums with one transfer? Do you have enough flexibility to respond if a mid-priced striker explodes? Can your bench cover surprise rotation?
Good squad structure matters as much as the individual names. A balanced Wildcard gives you options without needing hits every week.
Common Wildcard mistakes
Wildcarding too early
The biggest mistake is using the chip out of frustration. One bad Gameweek, a benching, or a small red arrow is not enough reason. Early in the season especially, information is noisy. If you Wildcard before roles and minutes are clear, you may just be trading one set of guesses for another.
Ignoring price ceiling
It is easy to build a Wildcard squad that looks perfect for this week but leaves no route to expensive players later. This is the price ceiling problem. If your structure blocks access to key premiums without multiple transfers, you may regret it quickly.
Leave yourself pathways. You do not need every premium at once, but you should be able to move to the important ones.
Chasing last week’s points
A Wildcard should focus on sustainable picks, not whoever hauled most recently. Look at minutes, role, expected involvement, and fixtures. Short-term form matters, but it should not override longer-term process.
Forgetting the bench
Even if you are not planning a Bench Boost, your bench still matters. Budget players who never play can become a problem during busy schedules, injuries, and rotation periods. Make sure at least one or two bench spots are usable.
When NOT to wildcard
You should not use the Wildcard if:
- You can fix your squad with one or two free transfers
- Your problems are mostly short-term injuries with players due back soon
- You are reacting emotionally to one poor Gameweek
- You do not yet know which players you actually want
- A better fixture swing or chip strategy point is close
If your team is broadly functional, patience is often the edge. The Wildcard is strongest when it solves multiple issues at once and sets up several Gameweeks of strong decision-making. Save it for the moment when a full reset gives you clear, lasting gains.
Use WC1 when the early chaos settles and fixture swings appear. Use WC2 when the second half of the season starts to take shape, especially around blanks and doubles. Above all, build with structure, minutes, and flexibility in mind. A good Wildcard should not only improve your squad today. It should make future transfers easier too.