Premier League rules: squad, subs, European spots explained
By Arasi Rex · Updated 14 August 2026 · 7 min read
The Premier League is a 20-club competition where each team plays 38 matches (home and away) for a total of 380 games per season. Three points for a win, one for a draw, and the bottom three are relegated to the Championship. The league also has strict squad rules, substitution limits, and a clear pathway to European competitions. Here is how everything fits together, from the basic structure to the Fantasy Premier League scoring system that millions of fans use.
The mechanism
League structure and points
Twenty clubs contest the title, European places, and survival. Points are the primary measure: 3 for a win, 1 for a draw. If two or more teams finish level on points, the tiebreakers are applied in a strict order:
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
- Head-to-head record (points, then goal difference, then goals scored)
If the tie still cannot be broken and the position decides the title, relegation, or European qualification, a single play-off match at a neutral venue is used. This has happened only once in the Premier League era (1999 for a European place).
Relegation and promotion
Three clubs drop to the Championship at the end of each season. They are replaced by two automatic promotion spots (the Championship winners and runners-up) and one play-off winner (the team that wins the four-team knockout tournament).
Squad rules
Each club must submit a squad list of up to 25 players who are 21 or older on 1 January of the season. Of those 25, at least eight must be homegrown , meaning they have been trained in England or Wales for three years before turning 21. Players under 21 do not count against the 25-player limit. This rule is meant to encourage youth development, but in practice the requirement is low enough that many clubs fill it with reserve players they rarely use.
Substitutions
Five substitutes are allowed per match, but they can only be made in a maximum of three windows (plus half-time). This change was introduced permanently in 2022/23 after a temporary trial during the pandemic. It has made squad depth more valuable than ever, though some argue it benefits the richest clubs most.
European qualification
The top four teams qualify for the Champions League league phase. The fifth-placed team and the FA Cup winner enter the Europa League. The League Cup winner goes to the Conference League play-off. Additional Champions League spots can be earned through the UEFA coefficient system, which rewards the leagues with the best collective performance in Europe. If a cup winner has already qualified via the league, their European place passes down to the next highest league position not already in Europe.
History/evolution
The Premier League was founded on 20 February 1992 as the FA Premier League. The First Division clubs broke away from the Football League to negotiate their own broadcast deals, which transformed English football's finances. The first season (1992/93) had 22 clubs, but the league reduced to 20 in 1995/96, a number that has remained stable ever since.
Squad rules have tightened over time. The homegrown rule was introduced in 2010/11, initially requiring a minimum of eight homegrown players in a 25-man squad. Substitutions started at one substitute, then two, then three, and finally five in 2022/23. The move to five subs was controversial , some managers felt it favoured teams with deeper benches , but the data shows it has increased minutes for younger players without dramatically altering outcomes.
European qualification has also evolved. The Premier League originally had only one Champions League place; now it has four, sometimes five. The UEFA coefficient system has added an extra layer of complexity, and the introduction of the Conference League gave the League Cup winner a path to Europe that did not exist before 2021.
Edge cases
Tiebreaker play-offs
If two teams are level on all tiebreaker criteria and the position is for the title, relegation, or a European spot, a play-off is held at a neutral venue. The most famous example was in 1999 when Manchester United and Arsenal finished level on points and goal difference, but United won the title on goals scored. No play-off was needed. The only actual play-off in Premier League history was for a UEFA Cup place in 1999, when Tottenham beat Leicester 2-1.
European qualification when cup winners already qualified
If the FA Cup winner has already qualified for the Champions League via their league position, the Europa League place goes to the next highest league finisher not already in Europe. Similarly, if the League Cup winner is already in Europe, their Conference League spot passes down. This means a club finishing sixth could get Europa League football if the FA Cup winner is in the top five.
Fantasy Premier League scoring
FPL is a game where fans build a 15-player squad with a budget of 100.0m, max three players from any club. Points are awarded for match actions:
| Action | Goalkeeper/Defender | Midfielder | Forward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| Assist | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Clean sheet | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Appearance (0-59 min) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Appearance (60+ min) | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Bonus points | 3/2/1 | 3/2/1 | 3/2/1 |
| Yellow card | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Red card | -3 | -3 | -3 |
| Own goal | -2 | -2 | -2 |
| Penalty miss | -2 | -2 | -2 |
| Saves (per 3) | +1 | - | - |
| Penalty save | +5 | - | - |
| Goals conceded (per 2) | -1 | - | - |
Goalkeepers and defenders lose 1 point for every two goals conceded. Midfielders and forwards do not lose points for conceding. The captain scores double points. One free transfer per gameweek; each additional transfer costs -4 points.
Under-21 players
A player under 21 on 1 January does not need to be registered in the 25-man squad. This allows clubs to field young players freely without counting against the limit. It also means a club can have more than 25 players if they are all under 21, though in practice most clubs have a mix.
Homegrown loophole
The requirement of eight homegrown players is often met by including academy graduates who rarely play. Some argue the rule does little to force genuine development and instead encourages clubs to hoard young players they have trained. Critics point to Chelsea's loan army as an example of the rule being gamed.
Key takeaways
- The Premier League uses 20 clubs, 38 matches, three points for a win, and relegation of the bottom three.
- Squad rules limit senior players to 25, with at least eight homegrown; under-21s are exempt.
- Five substitutions are allowed per match, but only in three windows plus half-time.
- European qualification: top four to Champions League, fifth and FA Cup winner to Europa League, League Cup winner to Conference League.
- FPL scoring rewards defenders and goalkeepers more for goals (6 points) and clean sheets (4 points) than midfielders and forwards.
FAQ
How many matches does each Premier League team play in a season?
Each team plays 38 matches, 19 at home and 19 away, for a total of 380 games in the league.
What happens if two teams finish level on points and goal difference?
If points and goal difference are tied, goals scored is the next tiebreaker. If still level, head-to-head record is used. If the tie is for the title, relegation, or European qualification, a play-off match may be held.
Can a team use more than 25 players in a season?
Yes, but only if they are under 21. The 25-player limit applies only to players born on or before 1 January of the season. Under-21s can be added freely.
How does the Fantasy Premier League bonus points system work?
Bonus points are awarded to the three players with the highest BPS (Bonus Points System) score in each match, with 3-2-1 points. BPS is calculated from a range of stats including passes, tackles, saves, and more.
Internal links: Manchester United (/clubs/manchester-united), Arsenal (/clubs/arsenal), Chelsea (/clubs/chelsea).