I got the email from Yahoo this week. It’s time to renew my fantasy football league. NFL training camp doesn’t start until late July, but fantasy football is already live for 2025. Millions of people already participate in fantasy football, but thousands of new players sign up yearly. There’s a lot to know before you start playing, and we’ve got you covered.
What Is Fantasy Football?
Using real-world football results, fantasy football is a way to compete against your friends (or total strangers). You draft a team and choose who is in your active roster each week. Then, when the real NFL games happen, you’ll accumulate points based on what the players on your team do in their real-life games. Get more points than your opponents, and you’ll stand victorious at the end of the season.
Points are generally awarded for the following things: touchdowns, passing yards, receptions, rushing yards, receiving yards, field goals, and extra points. Defensive accomplishments like points allowed, sacks, and interceptions will also get you points.
How Does It Work?
Most leagues are head-to-head leagues. That means you’ll be matched up against another player’s team every week. Defeat them, and it’s a win in the standings. If you have a good enough record, you’ll qualify for the playoffs, which take place in the final weeks of the season.
The most popular places to play are on ESPN or Yahoo, but there is a wealth of sites and apps that host fantasy football leagues.
The playoffs are typically a straight bracket format, with four, six, or eight teams battling to make it to the championship game. Championship games usually occur in the second-to-last week of the NFL season, as Week 18 sees too many star players being rested before the playoffs.
What To Know Before Signing Up
First, these leagues can get a little intense, especially among friends. There are often punishments for finishing last. Also, there might be a signup fee that can get expensive for competitive leagues. I recommend starting with a free league if you’re new to fantasy football. Beyond that, there are a few other things you should know.
Rosters
Rosters can vary by league, but a standard league will have you playing one quarterback, two running backs, 2-3 wide receivers, and a tight end. There will also be slots for a flex position, kicker, and a team defense. You will draft enough players to have bench players to swap in and out at each position.
You must set your starting lineup each week by the time the games begin. If you have players playing on a Thursday night, you’ll need to set your lineup extra early that week. Some leagues allow you to change lineups for players whose game hasn’t started yet.
Trades
Trades are a big part of the fun in fantasy football. You can trade with other players in the league to address holes on your team. But, a warning: if you’re new to fantasy football, the sharks will be in the water. Be sure that you’re not getting taken advantage of in a trade. Ask a friend who has played before. There is a trade deadline, which is typically about two-thirds of the way through the season.
PPR Leagues
If you hear the phrase “PPR League,” it’s referring to a league in which players earn a point for each reception. When that is the case, running backs and wide receivers will be more impactful players than any but the most elite quarterbacks. That will be true for pass-catching tight ends, too. Know if your league is a PPR league—it will alter how you should approach your draft.
Draft Date and Time
This all comes down to personal taste. Some players are itching for anything football and will hold their draft early. I recommend waiting until as close to the start of the season as possible, though. That minimizes the risk that a season-ending injury in the NFL preseason will ruin someone’s team.
As the season approaches, watch for our draft guides and fantasy football strategy guides to help you win bragging rights in your league!
