The Fantasy Premier League bonus points system, usually shortened to BPS, decides which players collect the extra 3, 2 and 1 bonus points at the end of each match. It is one of the most important tie-breakers in FPL because those extra points often separate good gameweeks from great ones.
At a basic level, every player builds up a hidden in-match score based on a wide range of actions. When the final whistle goes, the three players with the highest BPS totals are awarded bonus points. The top scorer gets 3 bonus, the second gets 2, and the third gets 1. If players are tied, FPL applies its tie rules and the bonus is shared accordingly.
Understanding how BPS works helps FPL managers spot players who can outperform their base points. Some footballers regularly collect bonus after scoring, assisting or keeping a clean sheet. Others can deliver attacking returns but still miss out because their all-round BPS profile is weaker.
How bonus points are awarded in FPL
At the end of every Premier League match, FPL ranks all players by their BPS score. Bonus points are then awarded like this:
- Highest BPS score: 3 bonus points
- Second-highest BPS score: 2 bonus points
- Third-highest BPS score: 1 bonus point
If there is a tie, the bonus points are shared. For example, if two players tie for the highest BPS total, they both receive 3 bonus points and the next player gets 1. If three players tie for first, they all receive 3 bonus points and no other bonus is awarded.
This matters because bonus is added after the match and can significantly change a player’s final FPL score. A defender with a clean sheet and strong BPS actions can outscore an attacker who grabbed a single return but did little else.
What counts toward BPS?
BPS is built from positive and negative match actions. FPL does not display it as part of the normal points tally during the match, but the game tracks it throughout. The exact scoring matrix includes many small details, but the core drivers are the ones most FPL managers need to know.
Key positive actions
- Minutes played: Players earn BPS for appearing, with a larger reward for playing 60 minutes or more. A player who reaches 60+ minutes gets 3 BPS.
- Goals scored: Goals are heavily rewarded, with the BPS value varying by position. Defenders and goalkeepers gain more than midfielders, and midfielders gain more than forwards.
- Assists: Assists are worth 9 BPS, making creators strong bonus contenders.
- Clean sheets: Goalkeepers and defenders gain 12 BPS for a clean sheet, which is why low-scoring wins often produce bonus for the back line.
- Tackles: Successful tackling contributes to BPS, commonly tracked in chunks such as 2 or 4 depending on volume.
- Recoveries: Ball recoveries can add to BPS, usually in thresholds such as 1 or 3.
- Passing and distribution: Accurate passing, especially at high completion and volume, can help technical midfielders and defenders build bonus.
These actions explain why some players are bonus magnets. Centre-backs who complete lots of passes, full-backs who assist, and midfielders who contribute in multiple phases of play often perform very well in the system.
Key negative actions
- Errors leading to a goal: Minus 3 BPS
- Yellow card: Minus 3 BPS
- Red card: Minus 9 BPS
Negative actions can quickly wipe out a strong BPS performance. A defender who keeps a clean sheet but gets booked may lose bonus to a team-mate with a cleaner all-round display. Likewise, attackers who miss chances, give the ball away often, or contribute little outside a goal can be vulnerable in the bonus race.
Why position matters in BPS
One of the most useful things to know is that BPS is not position-neutral. FPL rewards certain actions differently depending on whether a player is a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder or forward.
Goals are the best example. Because goals are rarer and more valuable for defenders and goalkeepers, the BPS system gives them a larger reward for scoring than it gives to midfielders or forwards. Clean sheets also strongly boost goalkeepers and defenders, which is why a 1-0 win often produces bonus for the player at the back who scored or for the goalkeeper who made key saves.
This is also why forwards can sometimes feel disadvantaged in BPS. A striker may score the winning goal but do little else, while a midfielder or defender racks up passing, recoveries, tackles and clean-sheet value on top of an attacking return.
Which players tend to do well in the bonus system?
Some player profiles are naturally well suited to BPS:
- Ball-playing centre-backs who complete a high volume of passes and keep clean sheets
- Attacking full-backs who combine defensive points with assists and chance creation
- Creative midfielders who get assists, complete lots of passes and contribute recoveries
- Goalkeepers in low-scoring wins, especially if they add save points and distribution value
By contrast, explosive but low-involvement forwards can be less reliable for bonus unless they score multiple goals. A single goal does not always guarantee 3 bonus if another player posts a stronger all-round BPS line.
How to use BPS in FPL strategy
BPS should not be the only factor in your transfer decisions, but it is a powerful secondary edge. When comparing similarly priced players, bonus potential can help break the tie.
For example, two defenders may have similar clean-sheet odds, but the one with better passing numbers, more attacking involvement and fewer bookings may be much more likely to collect bonus. Likewise, among midfielders, players who create chances and stay heavily involved in possession often have a stronger BPS floor than those who rely only on finishing.
Bonus points are especially useful over a full season because they accumulate steadily. A player who repeatedly adds 2 or 3 bonus after returns can end up significantly ahead of a similar asset who rarely does.
Common misconceptions about BPS
A goal does not guarantee 3 bonus
Many managers assume the goalscorer will always top the bonus rankings, but that is not true. A defender with a clean sheet, lots of completed passes and a goal may dominate BPS. A midfielder with an assist and strong all-round numbers can also outscore a forward who simply converted one chance.
Bonus is not purely based on headline stats
BPS includes more than goals and assists. Passing, recoveries, minutes and defensive actions all matter. That is why watching only the scoreline can be misleading when predicting post-match bonus.
Discipline matters
Yellow and red cards directly damage BPS. Players with a habit of getting booked can lose out on bonus even in otherwise strong performances.
Final thoughts
The FPL bonus points system rewards complete performances, not just flashy moments. The top 3 BPS scorers in each match earn 3, 2 and 1 bonus points, and those points often have a major impact on rankings over the season.
If you understand the main BPS drivers, minutes, goals, assists, clean sheets, tackles, recoveries, passing and negative actions such as cards or errors, you can make better decisions about which players are most likely to turn returns into bigger hauls. In a game where margins are small, mastering bonus can give you a real edge.