FPL could be the top employee engagement tool this season. Who’s with me?

The Premier League is back, and with it comes the annual ritual of assembling Fantasy Premier League (FPL) squads – choosing whether it’s a Haaland‑ or Salah‑centred team (because, realistically, who can afford both and get Cole Palmer in too?), hunting for the midfielders who will provide those new defensive contribution points, and the last-minute scramble to meet the transfer deadline (Heads-up: it’s 6.30pm today for GW1!). Across offices, mine included, fantasy football is already part of the culture – it fuels our connection and competitive spirit. It’s a ready-made platform for bringing people together and a damn good employee engagement tool.

Here’s how it plays out every season: colleagues swap tips on Monday mornings, cross-department rivalries heat up, and our international team members suddenly pick a team to be loyal to and find a voice in British culture, defending their selections with both knowledge and banter.

FPL breaks down silos in a way few ‘official’ employee engagement tools can, sparking authentic conversations and playful competition. Embracing FPL is not just about joining the fun – it’s embedded in culture and leans into what already unites people and amplifying it.

Businesses can make more of it, too. Set up Teams chats or channels dedicated to transfer news, manager tips, and everything in between; organise office snacks to watch midweek games. With millions of fans tuning in to each game, and online editions like the Fantasy Premier League Show now attracting 500,000 viewers each week, it’s likely your teams are already culturally engaged, which is fertile ground for building a solid community in the office.

FPL reminds us that sometimes the best way to build culture is not by reinventing, but by embracing what is already firing us up. This season, let fantasy football be the top employee engagement tactic on your list. And if you want to level up, you can add prizes, circulate leaderboards, and recognise a Manager of the Week.

I’m still in leagues with ex-colleagues – grounds managers, CEOs, comms professionals, people at national governing bodies – with whom we’ve connected over a drink or two, which eventually led to a ‘send us your league code’. When squads aren’t performing well, it gives me a reason to check in.

So, whether you’re a ‘Gloria Leicesterfan’, ‘Charlie Taylor Swift’ or ‘Livin’ Saliba Loca’, get sharing and playing, and build a culture rooted in… culture.

Any team thoughts or ideas to take FPL fever to the next level? Share in the comments.

Written by Miri Buač, an expert in corporate comms, employee engagement, executive visibility, global PR, and a Leicester City Football Club supporter.