{"id":277,"date":"2026-03-06T16:07:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T16:07:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/blog\/?page_id=277"},"modified":"2026-04-29T15:05:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T15:05:20","slug":"read-this-so-your-season-runs-smoothly","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/blog\/read-this-so-your-season-runs-smoothly\/","title":{"rendered":"30 point Cheat Sheet for Customers of Masters Fantasy Football Leagues"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 data-path-to-node=\"2\"><b data-path-to-node=\"2\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Masters Fantasy Football 2026 League Rules<\/b><\/h1>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"3\">This post is not on your league site. After reading, hit the back button on your browser to return to your league\u2019s homepage.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"4\">Teams start playing during Week 1 of the NFL season. You play each team in your division twice and the eight non-divisional teams once. The regular season lasts for 14 weeks; the playoffs begin in Week 15, and the league Championship is in Week 17.<\/p>\n<ol start=\"1\" data-path-to-node=\"5\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Communication:<\/b> If you ever have any questions or concerns, email us. Do not post your question in the chat window. We run over 1,500 leagues and cannot follow the chat windows. Our email address is <b data-path-to-node=\"5,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"198\">masters@mastersfantasyleagues.com<\/b>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Dashboard Access:<\/b> To access your leagues, you must be logged into your dashboard on whatever device you are using. This means if you log into your dashboard on your home desktop and wish to access your teams from your cell phone, you must log into your dashboard from your phone: <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" href=\"https:\/\/www42.myfantasyleague.com\/2026\/dash\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjnnN2KnpOUAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQggE\">https:\/\/www42.myfantasyleague.com\/2026\/dash<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">General Rules:<\/b> Here is a link to the general rules for 2026: <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/rules_dynasty.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjnnN2KnpOUAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQgwE\">https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/rules_dynasty.php<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,3,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Roster Cut-Downs:<\/b> The cut-down date for rosters is the kickoff of the first game of the season. At that time, you are required to make roster cuts to a 21-player roster. You must have a kicker and a defense on your roster at all times. You must cut your roster back to the limit (21) prior to participating in blind bidding. If necessary, we will cut your roster for you (which is best avoided). You will not be able to set a starting lineup until cut-downs are complete.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,4,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,4,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Kicker\/Defense Requirement:<\/b> You are required to carry a kicker and defense at ALL times (including the offseason). If you drop your K\/D, you will be unable to make any roster moves until you have added replacements. You cannot pick up a player via blind bidding and drop your K\/D in the same move, even if you intend to pick up a new K\/D later that week.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,5,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,5,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Roster Locks:<\/b> Rosters lock at the kickoff of the first Sunday game of the week; this means you cannot add a player via FCFS after 1:00 pm ET Sunday. If you have a 4:00 pm or Monday player unexpectedly deactivated, you cannot make a roster change. Plan ahead.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,6,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,6,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Fair Play Policy:<\/b> Please abide by our Fair Play Policy. It is based on common sense and fair competition: <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/fairplay.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjnnN2KnpOUAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQhAE\">https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/fairplay.php<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,7,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,7,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Waiver Strategy:<\/b> Locking up players during the FCFS period of waivers is not an acceptable strategy. It will result in the removal of your waiver rights and the release of the locked players (e.g., locking all available TEs, Ks, or QBs).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,8,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,8,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Payouts:<\/b> Here is a link to the payout page: <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/payouts.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjnnN2KnpOUAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQhQE\">https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/payouts.php<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,9,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,9,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">&#8220;Can&#8217;t Cut&#8221; List:<\/b> We use a &#8220;Can&#8217;t Cut&#8221; list to prevent the accidental dropping of stud players. You can view this list under &#8220;Player Reports&#8221; on your league homepage. If you have a legitimate reason to drop a player on this list, email us and we will make the adjustment. There are generally 30 to 40 players on the list.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,10,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,10,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Accidental Drops:<\/b> If you accidentally drop a player, email us immediately to fix it. If you notice another owner has dropped a high-value player, please notify us so we can contact them before that player goes through blind bidding. Once a player is awarded via blind bidding, the transaction will not be reversed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,11,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,11,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Trade Balance:<\/b> All trades must be balanced and may be 1-for-1, 2-for-2, or 3-for-3. Any trades involving more than six total players will be automatically rejected. Draft picks do NOT count as players and can be included in any trade.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,12,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,12,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Trading &amp; Renewals:<\/b> To trade a future draft pick, your team must be renewed for the year that includes the pick. For example, to trade a 2027 2nd-round pick, you must be renewed for both 2026 and 2027.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,13,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,13,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Trade Processing:<\/b> If a trade is not processed within 24 hours of acceptance (or by 6:00 pm Thursday\/Saturday), please email us. There is no trading during the draft or between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm ET on Thursday nights.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,14,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,14,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Trade Deadlines:<\/b> Trades are permitted through Week 14. On the final day of trading, the window closes at 10:00 pm ET. For any trade starting in Week 10, both teams must be renewed. Trading reopens after Week 17 through the end of the NFL playoffs (renewal required).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,15,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,15,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Mobile Trading Warning:<\/b> Do not turn down or manage trades from your phone! This is where 95% of accidentally accepted trades occur. We process emails from oldest to newest, meaning a trade may be finalized before we see your email to cancel it. We do not unwind accepted trades.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,16,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,16,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Accuracy:<\/b> Always double-check your lineup, trades, and blind bidding claims before submitting.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,17,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,17,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Blind Bidding (BBid):<\/b> Waivers process Wednesdays between 10:00 pm and 11:00 pm ET. Teams start with $300 bidding dollars (non-cash). Unused dollars carry over to the next season. The tiebreaker for blind bidding is the &#8220;first entered bid.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,18,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,18,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">FCFS Waivers:<\/b> After blind bidding, first-come-first-served waivers start Wednesday at 11:00 pm ET and run through 1:00 pm ET Sunday. FCFS moves do not cost bidding dollars.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,19,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,19,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Thursday Night Games:<\/b> The NFL runs Thursday games all season. Ensure your lineup is set before kickoff. Players lock individually when their respective games begin.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,20,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,20,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Stat Finalization:<\/b> The NFL finalizes stats approximately one hour after the Monday night game. Masters will not change scores or stats based on NFL adjustments made after this final Monday night stat run.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,21,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,21,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Division Recasting:<\/b> After each season, divisions are recast randomly by the computer.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,22,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,22,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Rookie Draft Lottery:<\/b> The lottery takes place in February (viewable on our YouTube channel). The five non-playoff teams are randomly drawn for picks #1\u2013#5 to prevent &#8220;tanking.&#8221; Playoff teams draft #6\u2013#12 based on their finish (Champion drafts #12).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,23,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,23,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Draft Schedule:<\/b> Starting mid-May, we run drafts seven nights a week: <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/rules_livedraft.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjnnN2KnpOUAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQhgE\">https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/rules_livedraft.php<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,24,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,24,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Abandoned Teams:<\/b> If you suspect a team in your league has been abandoned, notify us immediately so we can contact the owner or manage the roster.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,25,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,25,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Contact Settings:<\/b> To allow leaguemates to email you for trades, go to <b data-path-to-node=\"5,25,0\" data-index-in-node=\"70\">Owner Setup &gt; Contact Info<\/b> and check &#8220;Yes&#8221; for &#8220;Allow my league mates to see my email address.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,26,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,26,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Third-Party Apps:<\/b> Any Android or Apple apps are third-party and not supported by Masters. We highly recommend using the mobile version of our website for full functionality.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,27,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,27,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Position Changes:<\/b> If a player&#8217;s official NFL position changes during the season, you may request a change on your roster. This is not automatic; you must email us to request the update.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,28,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,28,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Playoff Seeding:<\/b> Division winners are seeded #1\u2013#3 based on winning percentage and points. The next four best teams are wildcard seeds #4\u2013#7.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5,29,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"5,29,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Playoff Format:<\/b> In Week 15, the #1 seed gets a bye. In Week 16, the #1 seed plays the winner of the #4\/#5 game. The Championship is held in Week 17. Playoff ties are broken by the highest-scoring starting player (excluding D\/ST and Kickers).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"6\"><b data-path-to-node=\"6\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Reminder:<\/b> Divisional record is not a tiebreaker for the wildcard race. You may lead your division race but be behind in the wildcard standings.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7\"><b data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Questions?<\/b> Email us at <b data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"23\">masters@mastersfantasyleagues.com<\/b>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you ever have any questions or concerns, email us. Do not post your question in the chat window. We run over 1,500 leagues and cannot follow the chat windows. Our email address is masters@mastersfantasyleagues.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","slim_seo":{"title":"Please read This so your season runs smoothly","description":"30 point Cheat Sheet for Customers of Masters Fantasy Football Leagues"},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-277","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=277"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":492,"href":"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/277\/revisions\/492"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mastersfantasyfootballleagues.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}