When to use this template
Write your fantasy league rules before the draft, and share them with every manager. A written rulebook, often called a league constitution, settles arguments before they start. That covers vetoed trades, inactive teams, tiebreakers and who gets paid.
It works for fantasy football, basketball, baseball, hockey or any other sport. Fill in the blanks to match your app’s settings.
How to fill it out
| Section | What to decide |
|---|---|
| League basics | Name, season, commissioner, app and number of teams. |
| Draft | Date, snake or auction format, how draft order is set, and autodraft rules. |
| Rosters and lineups | Starting positions, bench size, injured reserve and when lineups lock. |
| Scoring | Standard, half-PPR, PPR, or custom settings. |
| Waivers and free agents | Rolling order or a free-agent budget, and when claims process. |
| Trades | Deadline, review period, and how vetoes work. |
| Playoffs | How many teams, which weeks, seeding and tiebreakers. |
| Dues and prizes | The amount, due date and payout split, or “just for bragging rights.” |
| Last place | The punishment, if your league has one. |
| Conduct and disputes | Inactive teams, collusion, and how the commissioner settles disputes. |
| Changing the rules | For example, a two-thirds vote, only before the draft. |
Filled-in example
Trades: Trades process after a 24-hour review period. A trade is vetoed only if 6 of 10 managers vote against it, and only for collusion, not because it looks lopsided. Trade deadline: Week 11.
Playoffs: Top 6 teams make the playoffs in Weeks 15 to 17. Seeds 1 and 2 get a first-round bye. Ties in record are broken by total points scored.
Last place: Spends draft day next year wearing a jersey chosen by the champion.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Vague veto rules. “Unfair trades get vetoed” causes fights. Define exactly when and how.
- No inactive-team policy. Decide what happens when a manager stops setting lineups.
- Changing rules midseason. Make changes only in the offseason unless everyone agrees.
- Collecting dues late. Collect before the draft, and keep a record of who paid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fantasy league constitution?
A written set of rules every manager agrees to before the season. It covers anything the app’s settings don’t, like vetoes, dues and disputes.
Is a paid fantasy league legal?
Private leagues among friends are common, but gambling laws vary by state. Check your state’s rules before collecting money.
How should trade vetoes work?
Many leagues limit vetoes to clear collusion, because “lopsided” is subjective. Some let only the commissioner veto.
What if the commissioner is also a manager?
That’s normal. Agree on a backup decision-maker, such as a vote, for disputes involving the commissioner’s own team.