Should You Bench Boost in Gameweek 1? The Pros, Cons and What History Suggests

What does Bench Boost do?

Bench Boost allows the points scored by all four players on your bench to count towards your Gameweek total.

Normally, only your starting XI scores points unless a substitute comes on automatically. With Bench Boost, every player in your 15-man squad can contribute.

That sounds simple, but the value of the chip depends on the quality of those four extra players. A bench full of budget options who play 60 minutes between them is a very different opportunity from four reliable starters with strong fixtures.

Why some managers use it in Gameweek 1

There are a few good arguments in favour of using Bench Boost immediately.

Your squad is usually at its strongest

Before the season starts, most managers have carefully built a balanced squad. In theory, all 15 players have a chance of playing, and you have not yet suffered the injuries, suspensions and rotation problems that weaken benches later in the season.

No injuries have built up yet

Later in the season, injuries and rotation can leave your bench looking much weaker. Gameweek 1 is often one of the few weeks where almost every player you selected is available and competing for minutes.

You can forget about it

Using the chip early means you do not have to spend months trying to engineer the perfect Bench Boost later. You can focus on normal transfers rather than saving money and transfers for a specific chip week.

The downsides of using Bench Boost early

There are also important drawbacks to consider.

Your bench is usually cheap

Most FPL managers invest heavily in their starting XI. That means the bench often consists of budget players who may only score a handful of points. If your bench totals just 6–10 points, you probably have not maximised the value of the chip.

We do not know who the bargains are yet

Before a ball has been kicked, nobody knows which budget players will become season-long bargains. Waiting a few gameweeks gives you much more information about who is nailed, who has an attacking role and which cheap players are genuinely worth owning.

Double Gameweeks can offer a higher ceiling

Later in the season, some teams play twice in the same Gameweek. Those weeks can dramatically increase the number of points your bench scores, making Bench Boost potentially far more valuable.

That does not automatically make a Double Gameweek the correct choice. A poor bench with two difficult fixtures can still disappoint. But the possibility of extra fixtures gives the chip a higher points ceiling than a normal Gameweek 1 bench.

When Bench Boost in Gameweek 1 can make sense

You should at least consider it if:

• All 15 players are expected to start.
• You have a strong bench rather than the cheapest possible options.
• Your four substitutes have favourable opening fixtures.
• You do not want to spend transfers later building a Bench Boost squad.
• You are comfortable taking a slightly different approach from most managers.

A strong Gameweek 1 Bench Boost squad does not need 15 premium players. It needs 15 players who are likely to play, have reasonable fixtures and are not simply occupying the cheapest available slots.

Review your full squad rather than just your starting XI. Our Rate My FPL Team guide explains how to check structure, minutes security, fixtures and value across the whole team.

When you should probably wait

For many managers, holding the chip is still the safer option. It allows you to:

• Learn which players are genuinely nailed on.
• Spot emerging budget stars.
• Take advantage of a Double Gameweek later in the season.
• Use real information rather than relying mainly on pre-season predictions.

Waiting also keeps your options open. You may discover that your initial squad needs several changes, that a Wildcard is more useful first, or that another chip fits a particular fixture period better. Read our FPL beginner guide if you want a quick refresher on how the chips work before deciding.

A simple Gameweek 1 Bench Boost checklist

Before activating the chip, ask these five questions:

1. Will all four bench players start? A predicted 20-minute cameo is not the same as a reliable appearance.
2. Are their fixtures good enough? Four players facing difficult opponents may not justify the chip.
3. Would I pick these players without the chip? Do not talk yourself into weak squad players just because you want to activate Bench Boost.
4. Can I improve my bench without damaging my starting XI? If strengthening the bench costs you points every week, the setup may not be worth it.
5. Am I using it because the squad is strong or because I feel I should? A chip is a tool, not a deadline.

Also check the latest team news before confirming. The same rule that applies to Gameweek 1 transfers applies here: information close to the deadline can change whether a bench player is actually safe to use.

Our verdict

There is not a single correct answer.

If you have genuinely built a squad where all 15 players are likely to start and contribute, Bench Boost in Gameweek 1 can be a perfectly reasonable strategy. It may be especially attractive if your bench has good fixtures and you do not want to spend future transfers engineering a chip squad.

However, for most managers, patience usually provides more flexibility and a higher potential points ceiling later in the season. The key is not choosing the popular option — it is making sure your bench is actually strong enough to justify using one of your most valuable chips.

Do not Bench Boost simply because your squad is fresh. Use it when the four players on your bench give you a genuine points opportunity.