How UK Companies Use Fantasy Football for Engagement

How UK Companies Use Fantasy Football for Engagement

In the UK workplace, employee engagement is no longer a “nice-to-have” — it’s essential. With remote work, hybrid teams, and constant change, businesses are looking for ways to bring people together in meaningful (and fun) ways. One surprisingly effective strategy? Fantasy football — more specifically, a prediction game tailored for companies.

From startups to corporates, UK organisations are embracing fantasy football as an engagement tool that aligns fun, team-building, and internal branding.

What makes fantasy football effective in business?

It taps into a national passion — football — while delivering measurable outcomes:

• ✅ Higher participation in internal initiatives
• ✅ Better cross-departmental communication
• ✅ Increased morale and motivation
• ✅ Scalable campaigns across locations and teams

But this isn’t just about football fans. With the prediction game format, anyone can join — no deep football knowledge required.

Real-world use cases from UK companies

Let’s look at how different companies across the UK are using fantasy football to build stronger, more engaged teams.

🏢 1. Corporate engagement campaigns

Company: Large UK retailer with 10,000+ staff
Use case: Branded fantasy football league during World Cup 2022
Result:

• 3,000+ active players
• Weekly leaderboard emails sent to all locations
• Engagement rate on internal comms increased by 47% during campaign

The company used football as a unifier across warehouses, offices, and retail sites. Prediction rounds were adapted weekly, and prizes were awarded to individuals and top-performing stores.

💼 2. HR activation & onboarding

Company: Tech consultancy (250 employees)
Use case: Fantasy football prediction game for new starters during induction
Result:

• Boosted social interaction among new hires
• Increased retention in first 90 days
• Created informal “buddies” across departments

Fantasy football served as a low-pressure way to connect new team members during their first week — particularly effective in remote and hybrid setups.

📣 3. Marketing-led internal campaigns

Company: Fintech startup
Use case: Internal branding and culture campaign using custom fantasy software
Result:

• Branded game interface (logo, tone of voice, custom questions)
• 85% participation from staff
• Slack leaderboard updates generated daily banter and visibility

Fantasy football was used not only for fun — but as part of a wider campaign around “playing to win,” tying into business messaging and culture values.

Why prediction games work better than traditional fantasy football

Many people associate fantasy football with complex systems: transfers, budgets, and points. But a prediction-based format (guessing scores and results) is simpler — and more inclusive.

Here’s why it works better in companies:

Customisation: the key to UK business adoption

UK companies don’t just want a fantasy league — they want one that feels like their own.

With the right software (like OfficeFantasy.co.uk), businesses can:

• Brand the interface with their colours & logo
• Create department-based leaderboards
• Add custom bonus questions (e.g. “Will your department beat Finance?”)
• Set up weekly prizes, badges or fun awards

This customisation turns fantasy football into a tailored team-building campaign — rather than a one-size-fits-all game.

Integration with internal systems

Smart companies integrate their fantasy football league into existing comms and culture tools:

• 📨 Email newsletters for round reminders
• 💬 Slack or Teams channels for leaderboards
• 📊 HR dashboards to track participation and morale

It becomes more than a game — it becomes a shared rhythm in the company calendar.

From SMEs to enterprise: scalable for any team size

Whether you’re a 10-person agency or a national chain, fantasy football works:

• Small teams enjoy the closeness and banter
• Larger teams get gamified competition across departments and locations
• Remote teams use it to break silos and build trust

And because the game is mobile-friendly and browser-based, everyone can join — no matter their tech setup.

Timeline example: World Cup 2026

If you’re planning ahead, here’s a proven schedule for a business fantasy league:

This timeline creates sustained interest and momentum.

Ready to try it?

If you’re looking for a fun, low-effort way to engage your UK team during the World Cup 2026 (or any time of year), fantasy football might just be your winning move.

👉 Request a demo
👉 View pricing
👉 Contact us for a tailored setup

Join the UK companies already turning football fever into workplace fun.