Fantasy Dugout: Complete Game Guide

Fantasy Dugout is a season-long fantasy football league where managers draft a squad of real players at the start of the season, then score points based on those players' real-world performances each gameweek. Leagues can use an auction or snake draft to build squads, and can score on a classic (total points) or head-to-head basis — chosen when the league is created and fixed for the season.

Each league follows a fixed lifecycle:

Any user can create a league from the dashboard. Once created, the creator becomes the league chairman. The chairman can promote other members to admin — giving them access to the admin panel — and can transfer the chairman role itself. Only the chairman can manage roles; regular admins cannot.

League settings

The admin configures the following before the draft begins — most settings are locked once the draft is confirmed:

• League name — the name displayed across the app.
• Draft format — auction or snake draft (see the Draft section). Auction leagues also set an auction budget (e.g. £50M) that every manager receives equally; snake draft leagues have no budget.
• Transfer budget — a separate budget (e.g. £30M) each manager has to spend on players throughout the season via transfer windows.
• Transfer window tie-break — how tied transfer bids are settled: Random or Rotation (see the Transfers section).
• Squad size — the total number of players each manager must own at any time (default: 15).

Position rules

The admin sets minimum (and optionally maximum) position requirements for the Starting XI. Two configuration options shape which positions exist in your league:

• Defender split — defenders can be tracked as a single DEF position (min. 4 in the XI), or split into Full Backs (FB) and Centre Backs (CB) separately (min. 2 each). The split option lets scoring rules differ between the two — for example, giving clean sheet bonuses only to CBs.
• Defensive midfielder — leagues can optionally introduce a DM position alongside the standard MID. When enabled, DMs are treated like defenders for scoring purposes (they qualify for the appearance, clean sheet, and goals conceded bonuses).

Scoring rules

The admin can customise how many points each in-game event is worth, including which positions it applies to and any conditions that must be met. The default scoring setup is shown in  05 below.

Inviting managers

The admin can share an invite link at any point — settings do not need to be finalised first. Invited managers create an account (or log in), join the league, and set their team name.

The draft is how managers build their squads at the start of each season. The league admin chooses the draft format when creating the league — either an auction or a snake draft. Both formats can be run online (live on this platform) or offline (however the league likes, with results uploaded afterwards). The format is fixed for the season.

Auction draft

In an auction, every manager is given the same budget (e.g. £50M) and bids against each other for players. The highest bidder wins the player at the price they bid.

Snake draft

In a snake draft, there is no budget — managers simply take turns picking one player each. The pick order reverses every round, so the manager who picks last in round one picks first in round two, and so on.

Snake drafts can be run live on the platform (online) or offline and uploaded. Draft order for the first season is randomised; in subsequent seasons, the manager with the lowest points from the previous season picks first.

Your squad

Each manager owns a squad of players (default 15). You can view your squad at any time on the My Squad page, which shows each player's position, club, purchase price, acquisition method (auction or transfer window), and their total points for the season.

The Starting XI

For each fixture kickoff slot you select 11 players from your squad to score points — your Starting XI. The XI must meet your league's position rules (e.g. at least 1 GK, 2 CBs, etc.).

• Selections are locked at the kickoff time of each fixture slot.
• If you haven't selected by kickoff, an auto-pick fills your XI based on position requirements.
• Only the 11 players in your Starting XI score points for that fixture — players on your bench do not.

Most leagues collect an entry fee from every manager to form the prize pot, paid out to the season's winners at the admin's discretion. The fee amount and who the pot is paid to are set when the league is created (see the Setup section).

The Payments page shows every team's status — paid, unpaid, or overdue — with the deadline set to the kickoff of Gameweek 1. Managers pay by card directly on the page; unpaid managers receive reminders as the deadline approaches.

Points are awarded based on real player performances. Stats are pulled in automatically — starting lineups shortly before kickoff, then live scoring throughout each match. After a match ends, stats stay open for correction for a couple of hours before that gameweek's points are finalised (any post-match corrections are visible on the Live Scores "Changes" tab). Manual stat entry by the admin is only used as a fallback if a fixture isn't covered automatically. Your Starting XI players' points are added to your weekly and season totals.

Classic scoring

In a classic league, managers are ranked by their total accumulated fantasy points across the season. The manager with the most points at the end of the season wins.

Head-to-head scoring

In a head-to-head (H2H) league, each manager is paired against a different opponent every gameweek. The manager who scores more fantasy points that week wins the matchup. Results are awarded as follows:

• Win — score more fantasy points than your opponent → 3 H2H points
• Draw — equal fantasy points → 1 H2H point each
• Loss — score fewer fantasy points → 0 H2H points

The league table in H2H mode is ranked by H2H points (not total fantasy points). Fixtures are generated automatically when the league is created and cover the full season.

Default scoring rules

Manual assists

General rule

An assist is awarded to the attacking player who makes the final touch directly before the goal.

This can be:

• A pass
• A touch, including an inadvertent touch.
• A shot

Assists can also be awarded for own goals, where the goalscoring action is made by a defending player.

Assists from passes

When an assist is awarded for a pass

An assist is awarded for a pass when:

• The pass goes directly to the goalscorer.
• The pass is received by the goalscorer inside the penalty area after no more than one defensive touch. The intended recipient of the pass does not matter.
• The pass is received by the goalscorer outside the penalty area after no more than one defensive touch, and the pass is deemed to have been intended for the goalscorer.

When no assist is awarded for a pass

No assist is awarded for a pass when:

• The pass takes two or more defensive touches before reaching the goalscorer.
• The goalscorer receives the ball outside the penalty area after a single defensive touch, but the original pass was not intended for them.
• The defensive touch is classified as a pass.
• The goalscorer loses and then regains possession before scoring.

Tackles and interceptions as passes

A tackle or interception can also be classified as a form of pass when the touch is deemed to have been made with the intention to find a teammate.

Woodwork touches

A touch off the woodwork does not count as a defensive touch.

Inadvertent touches

An attacking touch that is not deemed to be a pass or goal attempt only earns an assist if it goes directly to the goalscorer.

Assists from shots and rebounds

When an assist is awarded for a shot rebound

An assist is awarded for a shot or cross-shot when a goal directly follows:

• A save
• A block
• A rebound off the woodwork

The action must not be an obvious cross or pass attempt. A shot does not have to be on target to result in an assist.

Deflected shots

Deflections on a shot before the save, block or rebound do not cancel out the assist if the shot was and remains on target.

Multiple-touch saves

A single save event can on occasion include multiple touches from the goalkeeper.

When no assist is awarded for a shot rebound

No assist is awarded for a shot or cross-shot when:

• A defensive touch follows the save, block or rebound before the ball reaches the goalscorer.
• The goalscorer converts their own rebound after their initial attempt is saved, blocked or rebounds off the woodwork.

Assists from own goals

Own goals follow the assist rules above, with the own-goal scorer treated as the goalscorer. The touch from the own-goal scorer does not count as a defensive touch.

Passes before own goals

When a pass leads to an own goal, no assist is awarded if:

• The pass takes two or more defensive touches before the own-goal scoring action.
• The own goal scoring action is classified as a pass.
• A defensive touch before the own goal is classified as a pass.

Shot rebounds before own goals

When a shot rebound leads to an own goal, an assist can be awarded if the own goal directly follows:

• A save
• A block
• A rebound off the woodwork

No assist is awarded when a defensive touch follows the save, block or rebound before the own goal.

Assists from penalties and direct free-kicks

When an assist is awarded

An assist is awarded to the player who wins a penalty or a free-kick that is then scored directly, either by:

• Being fouled
• Having the final touch before a handball offence

Handball offences

The attacking player's pass or touch must directly lead to the handball offence.

For a shot, a deflection before the handball does not cancel out an assist, provided the shot was and remains on target after the deflection.

When no assist is awarded from penalties and direct free-kicks

No assist is awarded when:

• The player who won the penalty or free-kick scores the goal themselves.
• The pass or touch does not directly lead to the handball offence.
• A shot receives a deflection that takes the ball off target before drawing a handball offence.

Throw-ins and corners

No assists are awarded to players who win corners or throw-ins which then result in a goal being scored directly.

During the season, managers can improve their squads by bidding on free agents — players not owned by anyone in the league. Transfers use a private bid system: all bids are hidden until the window closes.

Transfer budget

Each manager starts with a separate transfer budget (e.g. £30M), distinct from any draft budget. This is the only money you can use for in-season transfers. Winning bids are deducted from this budget; losing bids cost nothing.

Transfer windows

The admin opens transfer windows at their discretion — typically once a month. Each window has an opening and closing time. Here's the process:

Releasing players

Players can only leave your squad by being nominated as part of a transfer bid. When you bid on a free agent and your squad is at capacity, you select one of your existing players to release in their place. That player is only released if your bid wins — so you never lose a player unless the replacement comes in. Released players immediately become free agents, available for any manager to bid on in any future transfer window.

Bid rules

• You can only bid up to your remaining transfer budget.
• You can update or cancel a bid at any time while the window is open.
• If you need to make room in your squad, you must nominate a player to release as part of your bid.
• Losing bids are free — your budget is only spent when you win.

Transfer history

The Transfers page shows a full history of all completed windows, including every bid placed, who won each player, and the winning price paid.

Trades

Outside of transfer windows, managers can trade directly with each other. Propose a swap of players (and optionally add a budget "sweetener" from either side) to another manager on the Trades tab — they can accept, reject, or send back a counter-offer. Once both managers agree, the trade still needs the league admin's approval before it goes through. Approved trades update both squads and budgets immediately; each manager can only have one outgoing proposal pending at a time.

Admin Picks

The admin can also hand a manager a free agent directly, outside the bidding process — useful for one-off signings, waiver-style picks, or fixing a squad issue. The admin assigns the pick to a team at an agreed price (deducted from that team's budget straight away); the pick then shows as pending on the Picks tab until the admin (or manager) completes it by choosing which squad player makes way. Pending picks can also be offered up as part of a trade.

Alongside the main league table, most leagues also run two knockout-style cup competitions during the season. Winning one is a genuine trophy in its own right — see the Trophies section.

Champions League

Kicks off around Gameweek 7. Larger leagues are split into groups that play a mini round-robin over six gameweeks; smaller leagues instead play a single round-robin table. The top finishers from each group (or the table) qualify for a knockout bracket — quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final — which starts around Gameweek 21, each round decided by that gameweek's fantasy points head-to-head.

FA Cup

A single-elimination knockout bracket that starts later in the season, around Gameweek 30. The top 4 finishers from the previous season are seeded with a bye into the second round. Each tie is decided by fantasy points scored that gameweek; ties are broken by goals, then assists, then clean sheets, then goals conceded, then (in early rounds) at random — a drawn final is replayed the following gameweek instead.

The Standings page is the main scoreboard for your league. How managers are ranked depends on the scoring format — classic leagues rank by total fantasy points, H2H leagues rank by H2H points accumulated through weekly matchups.

Season tab — Classic leagues

The Season tab shows the full league table: team name, manager name, this week's points, total season points, and a form indicator (based on the last 5 gameweeks). Your row is highlighted so you can find yourself instantly.

Season tab — H2H leagues

In a head-to-head league, the Season tab shows each manager's win/draw/loss record and their total H2H points. Managers are ranked by H2H points rather than fantasy points. Individual gameweek fixtures — showing which teams were paired and the fantasy point scores — are available alongside the table.

Analytics tab

The Analytics tab displays a cumulative points chart showing how every manager's season has progressed gameweek by gameweek. You can filter by specific teams and restrict the gameweek range to zoom into key periods of the season.

Historical seasons

Use the season selector to view standings from previous seasons. All history is preserved when the admin starts a new season.

The Stats page shows a league-wide leaderboard of all player performances across the season. You can filter by position and club to scout free agents or track your own players.

Stats shown include total points, goals, assists, clean sheets, and more — helping you decide who to target in the next transfer window.

At the end of each season, three trophies are awarded. These are displayed on the Trophies page and preserved permanently in the league's history.

Trophies from all seasons are shown together on one page, building up a permanent hall of fame as your league continues year after year.