Bench players are the substitutes in your fantasy football squad. While they do not normally score points unless they are brought into your team, a strong bench can provide valuable cover when injuries, suspensions or team rotation affect your starting XI.

Not every fantasy football game includes bench players. Some formats require you to select only a starting team, while others allow you to manage a full squad with substitutes available if needed.

How Bench Players Work

In season-long fantasy football games, bench players are primarily used through automatic substitutions. If one of your starting players does not play any minutes during a gameweek, an eligible substitute from your bench may automatically replace them, depending on the game’s substitution rules.

Some fantasy games also allow manual substitutions during live contests, adding another layer of strategy to squad management.

Choosing Your Bench

Many fantasy managers fill their bench with lower-priced players to maximise the budget available for their starting XI. While this approach can free up funds for premium players, it also means your substitutes may contribute very few points if they are called upon.

A more balanced strategy is to include at least one reliable starter on the bench who can provide cover when injuries, suspensions or unexpected team selections affect your first-choice players.

Live Substitutions

Some fantasy football platforms have experimented with live substitutions, allowing managers to replace players while matches are in progress. Under these rules, the substituted player stops scoring points from the moment they leave your fantasy team, while the incoming substitute begins earning points from that point onwards.

Although this feature is less common, it adds another tactical element by rewarding managers who can react to events during live matches.

Why Bench Players Matter

A well-planned bench can make the difference between a successful and disappointing gameweek. While your substitutes may not feature regularly, having dependable players available provides valuable insurance against unexpected absences and helps maintain consistent fantasy football scores throughout the season.