Fantasy Non-League 2026-27 Competition Details

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, August 30, 2026

The 2026/27 Fantasy Non-League competition has opened for entries, featuring new rules such as the removal of substitutions and the introduction of Joker multipliers across 30 teams from ten leagues. These changes aim to deepen strategic play as participants compete for cash prizes, monthly awards, and a unique £350 reward for finishing last, with early entry bonuses encouraging timely sign-ups before the August 31 deadline.

The 2026/27 Fantasy Non-League (FNL) competition is now open for entries, marking the game’s 30th anniversary since its original launch in the 1996/97 season. The contest continues to offer participants the chance to manage a portfolio of teams from non-league football, with a £5 entry fee and a deadline set for midnight on Monday, August 31.

This season introduces significant changes to the rules and format, aimed at increasing strategic engagement among players. Notably, the substitution rule has been removed, meaning that once teams are selected in August, no changes can be made throughout the season except in cases where a club folds. Additionally, the leagues have been subdivided into three sections each, requiring competitors to choose one team from each section, totaling 30 teams across the ten leagues involved.

Participants must designate five of their chosen teams as FNL Jokers, doubling any points earned by these teams during the season, including bonus points. One of these Joker teams is then selected as the Super Joker, which awards treble points. These multipliers apply to all points gathered, encompassing league results, cup performances, and end-of-season bonuses.

The competition covers a wide range of leagues and cup tournaments, including the National League, National League North and South, Northern Premier, Isthmian Premier, Southern Premier Central and South, and The Mixture leagues. Points are awarded based on match outcomes, goals scored and conceded, clean sheets, and performance in cup competitions such as the FA Cup and FA Trophy. New this season, the team progressing furthest in the FA Cup will receive 100 points, with awards given if multiple teams reach the same stage.

Monthly performance bonuses will be given to the top three and bottom three teams in each league, alongside Manager of the Month awards determined by monthly points tallies. Play-off matches are treated as regular league games, with winners of play-off finals gaining 150 points and runners-up receiving 50.

End-of-season bonuses include 250 points for league champions, additional points for play-off success, and penalties for teams finishing in the bottom three of their leagues. Unique to the competition are rewards and penalties for the lowest finishers overall, with a £350 prize offered for the team finishing last, inviting some participants to compete for that position as well.

Early entry incentives remain in place, with an additional 1,000 points awarded to teams entered before 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 8. Second and third-place early entries receive 125 and 60 points respectively. While entries are accepted up to the final August deadline, the bonus encourages early participation.

Cash prizes are allocated for the top three finishers, with £700 awarded to the overall winner, £350 to second place, and £125 for third. Manager of the Month awards include cash payouts for the highest and lowest performers. Entry forms are available in The Non-League Paper, and postal entries must be dated by August 31 to be accepted.

For further information, participants can contact the FNL helpdesk via email or phone. The 2026/27 Fantasy Non-League season promises to be a competitive and engaging contest, reflecting three decades of celebrating non-league football through fantasy management.

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