The free hit chip has the potential to make or break your FPL season. Alongside the triple captain and bench boost chips, you only get one per season, so it’s important to plan when you’re going to use them so you can make the most out of them.

What is the free hit chip?

The Free Hit chip in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) allows managers to create a completely new squad for a single gameweek using unlimited free transfers. This lets you target specific fixtures without taking any points deductions. However, once the gameweek ends, your team automatically reverts to its original 15 players from the previous week.

Using the Free Hit is particularly effective during blank or double gameweeks. It allows you to temporarily replace players who don’t have a fixture or capitalise on those with multiple matches. This can maximise your points potential without permanently altering your squad.

It’s important to note that once you confirm the Free Hit, it cannot be cancelled. Any transfers made during the Free Hit week will not carry over, and your original team will be restored once the gameweek ends. However, any free transfers you had before activating the Free Hit will be saved for the following week.

Strategically, the Free Hit is best used during fixture disruptions or when you want to take advantage of favourable matchups. Timing it wisely can give you a strong edge over rivals, making it a powerful tool for climbing the FPL rankings.

When is the best time to use free hit?

Blank gameweeks

A blank gameweek occurs when certain teams don’t have a fixture, often due to cup competitions or fixture rescheduling. During these weeks, many FPL managers struggle to field a full squad, making the Free Hit chip highly valuable. By activating it, you can temporarily bring in players from teams that do have a match, ensuring you maximise your points potential. This is particularly effective when multiple key players are missing. Once the gameweek ends, your original team is restored, allowing you to navigate the blank without sacrificing long-term squad value or wasting transfers.

Double gameweeks

Double gameweeks happen when certain teams play twice within the same gameweek. Using the Free Hit in these weeks allows you to load up on players with two fixtures, significantly increasing your chances of a high-scoring week. It’s a prime opportunity to target big hitters or form-heavy players with favourable matchups. Since your team reverts back the following week, you can focus entirely on short-term gains without worrying about future fixtures. Pairing the Free Hit with players likely to get maximum minutes across both games can give you a huge edge over managers relying on single-game players.

A week with more than 5 unavailable players

When your FPL squad is heavily depleted due to injuries, suspensions, or fixture cancellations, the Free Hit chip can be a game-changer. If you have more than five players unavailable, you’ll likely struggle to field a competitive XI. Instead of taking multiple points hits, activating the Free Hit lets you create a full-strength squad for that week. This ensures you remain competitive without damaging your long-term strategy. It’s particularly useful if the unavailability is temporary, as you won’t need to make permanent changes to your squad, preserving your original team for future gameweeks.

Conclusion

The Free Hit chip is one of the most powerful tools in FPL, offering short-term flexibility without affecting your long-term squad. It’s best used during blank gameweeks to cover missing players, double gameweeks to capitalise on extra fixtures, or when your team is heavily depleted due to injuries or suspensions. By activating it strategically, you can maximise your points potential without sacrificing future transfers or making permanent changes. Timing the Free Hit correctly can give you a significant edge over your rivals, helping you climb the rankings and gain valuable ground in your mini-leagues.