Prediction game vs fantasy game: which one fits your audience?
By Dirk Menkveld on Thursday, January 8, 2026
Prediction game vs fantasy game: what’s the real difference? People often say “fantasy football”, but they can mean different things. On GoKoppa, Fantasy Football (is Prediction Game in English) means you predict match results. You do not pick players. You do not build a squad. So this is really a choice between two simple formats: - Prediction game: you guess scores or outcomes for real matches.
- Fantasy game (player-pick style): you choose players and earn points from what they do on the pitch. Both can be fun. But they fit different groups. ## Why this choice matters for your audience If you pick the wrong format, people drop out fast. If you pick the right one, they keep playing all season. Think about:
- How much time your group has
- How well they know players and teams
- How big your group is (5 friends or 500 people)
- How often people want to check in (daily vs matchday only) This is the core of choosing a game. ## Format 1: The prediction game (easy to join, fast to play) A prediction game is simple. You look at fixtures. You predict results. You score points. ### Best for
- Friends who want quick fun
- Mixed groups (hardcore fans + casual viewers)
- People who follow big tournaments like the Football tournament or Euros
- Anyone who wants “set it and forget it” play ### Why it works
- It needs low effort
- It feels social fast (banter starts right away)
- It works in any country and time zone
- It fits matchday habits (weekends, evenings) ### Common ways to score
- Correct outcome (home win / draw / away win)
- Correct score (like 2–1)
- Bonus for exact scorelines This format suits Fantasy Football (is Prediction Game in English) very well, because it keeps the focus on match predictions. ## Format 2: The fantasy game (player-pick style, more depth) This is the style many leagues use. You pick players. You manage a squad. Players earn points for goals, assists, clean sheets, and more. ### Best for
- People who love stats and tactics
- Groups that enjoy weekly planning
- Fans who watch many leagues and know more players ### Why it works
- It rewards deep knowledge
- It stays exciting between matchdays
- It gives you more choices (captains, transfers, budgets) ### The trade-off It takes more time. It can also feel hard for new players. If your group has many beginners, they may stop early. For a simple overview of the player-pick format, see the official Fantasy Premier League rules on the Premier League site: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/help/rules ## Product comparison: which game format fits your group? Use this quick checklist. ### Choose a prediction game if your group says:
- “I just want to have fun with mates.”
- “I don’t have time to manage a team.”
- “I only watch big matches.”
- “I’m new to this.” ### Choose a player-pick fantasy game if your group says:
- “I love tracking players each week.”
- “I want more control and strategy.”
- “I enjoy transfers and budgets.”
- “I watch loads of football.” ## A simple way to decide in 3 steps 1. Ask how often people will play - Once per matchday? Pick prediction. - All week? Player-pick may fit. 2. Check how mixed the group is - Very mixed knowledge? Pick prediction. - Mostly serious fans? Either can work. 3. Pick the format with the lowest barrier - If you want high join rate, keep it simple. - A simple game grows faster. ## Final tip for GoKoppa readers If your goal is to get more friends involved, start with Fantasy Football (is Prediction Game in English). It feels fair. It feels fast. And everyone can play, even if they only know a few teams. Then, if your group asks for more complexity later, you can try a player-pick fantasy game next season.