How FPL Bonus Points Work: The Complete Guide to BPS
How FPL Bonus Points Work: The Complete Guide to BPS
Bonus points are one of the most misunderstood parts of Fantasy Premier League. Every match awards 3, 2, and 1 extra points to the three best performers — but most managers don't know how those performers are chosen.
This guide breaks down the Bonus Points System (BPS) in full, including every action that earns or loses BPS, how ties work, and how you can use bonus data to make better FPL decisions.
What Are FPL Bonus Points?
After every Premier League match, the three best-performing players receive bonus points:
- 1st place BPS → 3 bonus points
- 2nd place BPS → 2 bonus points
- 3rd place BPS → 1 bonus point
These bonus points are added directly to your FPL score. A defender who keeps a clean sheet and earns 3 bonus effectively scores 9 points (6 + 3) instead of 6 — a 50% boost from bonus alone.
Across a full season, the top bonus earners collect 25-35 extra points. That's the equivalent of 3-4 additional goals. If you're not factoring bonus into your FPL decisions, you're leaving points on the table.
How BPS (Bonus Points System) Works
BPS is the scoring engine behind bonus points. It tracks every action a player makes during a match and assigns a positive or negative score. The three players with the highest total BPS in each match receive the bonus points.
BPS is completely separate from FPL points. A player can score 0 FPL points but still have a high BPS — and vice versa. The system rewards overall match involvement, not just goals and assists.
BPS vs Bonus Points: What's the Difference?
Think of it this way:
- BPS is the detailed scorecard — a raw number that tracks every action (can range from -10 to over 100)
- Bonus points are the reward — the 3, 2, and 1 FPL points given to the top three BPS scorers
Our live bonus points tracker shows both: the real-time BPS scores during matches, and the projected bonus allocations.
Complete BPS Scoring Values
Here's every action that affects a player's BPS score, based on the official FPL algorithm.
Positive BPS Actions
| Action | BPS Value | Who Benefits Most |
|---|---|---|
| Goal scored (MID/FWD) | +24 | Midfielders, forwards |
| Goal scored (DEF/GK) | +12 | Defenders, goalkeepers |
| Assist | +9 | All positions |
| Clean sheet (DEF/GK) | +12 | Defenders, goalkeepers |
| Penalty save | +15 | Goalkeepers |
| Save (GK) | +6 | Goalkeepers |
| Successful tackle | +4 | Defenders, midfielders |
| Successful dribble | +4 | Midfielders, forwards |
| Key pass | +3 | Midfielders, forwards |
| Clearance, block, or interception | +2 | Defenders |
| Recovery | +2 | Defenders, midfielders |
| Shot on target | +2 | Midfielders, forwards |
| Pass completion 70-79% | +2 | All positions |
| Pass completion 80-89% | +4 | All positions |
| Pass completion 90%+ | +6 | All positions |
Negative BPS Actions
| Action | BPS Value | Who Loses Most |
|---|---|---|
| Big chance missed | -12 | Forwards |
| Error leading to goal | -6 | Defenders, goalkeepers |
| Own goal | -6 | Defenders |
| Penalty miss | -6 | Penalty takers |
| Penalty conceded | -6 | Defenders |
| Foul committed | -4 | All positions |
| Dribbled past (DEF/GK) | -4 | Defenders, goalkeepers |
| Yellow card | -3 | All positions |
| Caught offside | -3 | Forwards |
| Dispossessed | -2 | Midfielders, forwards |
| Red card | -9 | All positions |
| Pass completion below 70% | -2 to -6 | Deep midfielders |
Key Takeaways From the BPS Table
A few things stand out:
- Goals are weighted by position. Midfielders and forwards get +24 BPS per goal, while defenders and goalkeepers get +12. This means a midfielder scoring a goal gains a massive BPS advantage.
- Clean sheets are huge for defenders. The +12 BPS for a clean sheet equals a midfielder scoring a goal. This is why defenders who keep clean sheets dominate BPS rankings.
- Defensive actions add up. Each clearance, block, interception, or recovery is only +2 BPS, but a centre-back can rack up 10-15 of these per match for +20-30 total BPS — often enough to claim bonus without any attacking returns.
- Missed big chances are devastating. At -12 BPS, missing a clear-cut opportunity wipes out the equivalent of a goal for a defender. Wasteful forwards often miss out on bonus because of this penalty.
- Pass completion matters. Players with 90%+ pass completion earn +6 BPS — a meaningful boost. This favours ball-playing defenders and deep midfielders who complete lots of short passes.
How Bonus Point Ties Work
When two or more players finish with the same BPS score, they each receive the same bonus — and the next tier is skipped.
Tie Scenarios
| Scenario | Result |
|---|---|
| Two players tied for highest BPS | Both get 3 bonus. Next player gets 1 bonus. No 2-bonus awarded. |
| Three players tied for highest BPS | All three get 3 bonus. No 2 or 1 bonus awarded. |
| One player highest, two tied for second | 1st gets 3 bonus. Both tied players get 2 bonus. No 1-bonus awarded. |
| One player 1st, one 2nd, two tied for 3rd | 1st gets 3, 2nd gets 2, both tied players get 1 bonus. |
This means more than three players can earn bonus in a single match. In tight games where many players have similar involvement, you'll sometimes see four or five players with bonus.
When Are Bonus Points Confirmed?
Bonus points go through three stages:
- Live (during match): BPS updates in real-time based on Opta's live match data. You can track this on our live BPS tracker.
- Provisional (0-90 minutes after FT): BPS scores are provisional. Opta may review and adjust actions — an assist might be removed, or a key pass added. This can change who gets bonus.
- Confirmed (60-90 minutes after FT): Opta finalises the match stats and FPL locks in the bonus points. These are then added to player scores.
Occasionally, confirmed bonus differs from provisional. The most common change is an assist being reassigned after review, which shifts +9 BPS between players.
Which Players Earn the Most Bonus?
Certain player profiles consistently earn BPS. Understanding this helps you target bonus point magnets for your FPL team.
Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers earn bonus primarily through saves (+6 each) and clean sheets (+12). A goalkeeper who makes 5 saves in a clean sheet starts at +42 BPS before any other actions. Keepers facing lots of shots (but keeping them out) are BPS magnets.
Defenders
Centre-backs benefit from the BPS system more than any other position. They accumulate clearances, blocks, interceptions, and recoveries throughout the match — each worth +2 BPS. A typical centre-back in a clean sheet game can reach 40-50 BPS.
Full-backs who get forward provide a balance of defensive and attacking BPS. An assist (+9) plus standard defensive work can push them to bonus.
Midfielders
Midfielders get the highest BPS per goal (+24), making a goal-scoring midfielder the most likely bonus earner in any match. Key passes (+3) and successful dribbles (+4) also add up.
Deep midfielders who complete lots of passes benefit from the pass completion bonus (+2 to +6) but rarely earn enough to challenge goal-scorers.
Forwards
Forwards rely almost entirely on goals and assists for BPS. Their defensive contribution is minimal, and missed big chances (-12) can wipe out their positive BPS. A forward who scores but also misses two big chances nets only +0 BPS from those three events (24 - 12 - 12).
This is why you'll often see a midfielder claim 3 bonus over a forward who scored the same number of goals — the midfielder adds key passes, tackles, and pass completion that the forward doesn't.
How to Use Bonus Points Data in FPL
Captain Selection
When picking a captain, consider BPS likelihood alongside expected goals and assists. A midfielder who's likely to score AND earn 3 bonus effectively doubles 2-3 extra points as captain (4-6 extra after the captain multiplier).
Players in favourable fixtures against low-block teams tend to have higher BPS because they:
- Complete more passes (pass completion bonus)
- Attempt more key passes and dribbles
- Rarely need to make defensive recoveries (no negative BPS)
Transfer Targets
Look for players with high BPS per 90 minutes, not just high total bonus. A player averaging 25+ BPS per start is consistently in the bonus conversation, even if they don't always finish in the top three.
Defenders who play every minute, keep regular clean sheets, and rack up defensive actions are some of the most reliable bonus earners in FPL. They provide a steady floor of points that attacking players — who are more boom-or-bust — often can't match.
Differential Picks
In mini-leagues, targeting consistent bonus earners that your rivals don't own can create steady point advantages. A defender earning 1-2 bonus most weeks adds 38-76 extra points across a season that your rivals miss out on.
Track Bonus Points Live
Our live bonus points tracker calculates BPS in real-time during every Premier League match. You can:
- See projected 3, 2, and 1 bonus allocations as matches progress
- Watch BPS scores update every 60 seconds
- Spot overtake opportunities where players are close to moving up
- View historical bonus data for completed gameweeks
Combined with our live rank tracker, which factors provisional bonus into your estimated rank, you get the most accurate picture of your FPL gameweek performance while matches are being played.
Built by an FPL manager, for FPL managers. LiveFPL tracks live data during every Premier League match so you always know where you stand.