GAFFERGuides & articles
Longer reads on getting better at Gaffer XI and on football itself — drafting and tactics, the greatest teams in history, and a primer on the draft-game genre. Everything here is written by the team behind the game.
Strategy & how to win
How to draft a balanced XIWhy a high floor beats a high ceiling, and the order to fill your positions.
Choosing the right formation4-3-3, 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 — how your shape should drive your draft.
How ratings & team OVR workWhat the numbers mean and how they feed the match engine.
Chemistry explainedStacking clubs, countries and eras for escalating bonuses.
Winning Money Mode on a budgetWhere to spend, where to bargain-hunt, and how to beat the rivals.
Topping the underdog boardsHow to win the Hall of Fame with the lowest-rated or cheapest team.
Football knowledge
The greatest club teams of all timeReal Madrid, Ajax, Milan, Barcelona — and what made them special.
The best World Cup squads everBrazil '70, West Germany '74, France '98, Spain's three-in-a-row.
A short history of formationsFrom the pyramid and the WM to 4-2-3-1 and the false nine.
Football tactics explainedPressing, possession, counters and the low block — in plain English.
The anatomy of a great teamWhat every position actually contributes to winning.
A Premier League all-time XIOne balanced 4-3-3 and the case for every pick.
A Serie A all-time XIBuilt, of course, on the art of defending.
Get started & reference
What is a football draft game?A beginner's guide to the genre and where Gaffer XI fits in.
Which mode should you play?League, Cup, World Cup, Money Mode or the Climb roguelike.
Football & Gaffer XI glossaryKey terms — formations, OVR, chemistry, relics — explained.
New to the game? Start with the how-to-play guide, or just jump into a draft.