Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about ScoreBadger - the free football score prediction game.
Getting Started
What is ScoreBadger?
ScoreBadger is a free football score prediction game where you predict Premier League match scores, earn points based on accuracy, and compete on leaderboards against friends and other players. It is not gambling - there are no entry fees or real-money prizes.
How do I start playing?
Sign up for a free account, head to the Play page, and enter your predicted scores for upcoming Premier League fixtures. That is it. You can start predicting straight away.
Is ScoreBadger free to play?
Yes, ScoreBadger is completely free to play. You can predict matches, join leagues, and compete on leaderboards without paying anything. An optional premium tier is available with extra features, but is not required to play.
Do I need to download an app?
No. ScoreBadger runs in your browser on any device - phone, tablet, or desktop. There is nothing to download or install. Just visit scorebadger.com and sign in.
What football leagues does ScoreBadger cover?
ScoreBadger currently covers the English Premier League for the 2025-26 season. Additional football leagues and competitions are planned for future updates.
Scoring and Points
How does the scoring system work?
You earn 3 points for predicting the exact score of a match (for example, predicting 2-1 when the result is 2-1). You earn 1 point for predicting the correct match result - home win, draw, or away win - without the exact score (for example, predicting 2-1 when the result is 3-0, as both are home wins). An incorrect prediction scores 0 points. Points do not stack - an exact score always awards exactly 3 points.
What is the difference between an exact score and a correct result?
An exact score means you predicted the precise final score (e.g. 2-1 and it finished 2-1). A correct result means you got the right outcome (home win, draw, or away win) but not the exact score (e.g. you predicted 2-1 but it finished 3-0 - both are home wins). Exact scores earn 3 points, correct results earn 1 point.
Do points stack? Does an exact score also count as a correct result?
No. Points do not stack. An exact score prediction awards exactly 3 points, not 3 plus an additional 1 for the correct result. This keeps the scoring system simple and transparent.
How many points does a typical good player score per gameweek?
In a typical gameweek of 10 matches, scoring between 5 and 10 points is considered good. Getting one or two exact scores plus a handful of correct results is a strong week. Even experienced predictors rarely get more than two exact scores in a single gameweek.
How can I improve my prediction accuracy?
Start by factoring in home advantage, checking recent form tables, and sticking to realistic scorelines. Most Premier League matches finish with three goals or fewer, so predictions like 2-1 and 1-0 tend to earn more points over time than ambitious 4-3 scorelines.
Predictions and Deadlines
When do I need to submit my predictions?
Predictions must be submitted before each match kicks off. Every fixture card shows a countdown timer with the exact deadline. Once a match kicks off, predictions for that fixture are locked and cannot be changed.
Can I change my prediction after submitting it?
Yes, you can edit your prediction as many times as you like right up until the match kicks off. Once kickoff happens, the prediction is locked. So if new team news comes out on match day, you can still update your score.
Do I need to predict every match?
No. You can predict as many or as few matches as you like each gameweek. However, making more predictions gives you more opportunities to earn points and climb the leaderboard.
What happens if a match is postponed?
If a match is postponed before kickoff, your prediction is kept and will be applied when the match is rescheduled. No points are awarded or deducted for postponed fixtures until they are played.
Do extra time and penalties count?
No. Only the score at full time (90 minutes plus stoppage time) counts for Premier League matches. Extra time and penalty shootouts do not apply in standard league fixtures.
Leagues and Competition
Can I create a private league with friends?
Yes. You can create a private mini-league from the Leagues page. When you create a league, you receive a unique invite code. Share this code with friends and they can join your league. Each league has its own separate leaderboard.
How many leagues can I join?
There is no limit. You can be in as many leagues as you like - office league, family league, uni league - each with its own leaderboard and members.
How do leaderboards work?
Your total points accumulate across the entire Premier League season. The global leaderboard ranks all ScoreBadger players by total points. Each mini-league also has its own leaderboard that only ranks members of that league. Leaderboards update automatically after match results are confirmed.
Can I leave a league?
Yes. You can leave any league at any time from the Leagues page. Your predictions and global leaderboard position are not affected when you leave a private league.
What is the ideal league size?
Leagues work best with 4 to 20 people. Small enough that everyone knows each other, big enough that the leaderboard stays competitive. Larger leagues work too, but the social element tends to fade above 30 or so members.
About ScoreBadger
How is ScoreBadger different from betting or gambling?
ScoreBadger is a prediction game, not a betting platform. There are no entry fees, no wagers, and no real-money prizes. You are simply predicting scores for fun and bragging rights. It is a game of knowledge and skill, not chance.
How is ScoreBadger different from Fantasy Football?
Fantasy Football requires you to build and manage a squad, handle transfers, and follow individual player performance. ScoreBadger is much simpler - you just predict match scores. No squad selection, no captain picks, no transfer budgets. Both are free, but prediction games take far less weekly time.
Where does ScoreBadger get its match data?
Match fixtures, kickoff times, and results are sourced from the football-data.org API, which pulls data from official Premier League sources. Results are updated automatically after each match finishes.
Is my data safe?
Yes. ScoreBadger uses Supabase for authentication and data storage with row-level security. Your predictions are private to you unless shared through a league. We do not sell your data to third parties.
Still have questions?
The best way to understand ScoreBadger is to try it. Sign up is free and takes 30 seconds.