The 50+ Best Fantasy Football Punishments, Ranked

The 50+ Best Fantasy Football Punishments, Ranked

Aaron Hager
Updated February 15, 2025 30.1K views 52 items
Ranked By
1.1K votes
373 voters
Voting Rules
Vote up the best fantasy football punishments every league should employ.

Take your league to another level with the best fantasy football punishments for the last place team. This stimulating list was born from an undying appetite for that comical edge in fantasy football where camaraderie combines with competitive spirit to produce unforgettable fun. The list stages the inventive, the hysterically funny, and, of course, the humiliating penalties as per the hilarious anecdotes from the players and their spectators. The ranking here primarily reflects the voice of passionate fantasy football fans like you, factoring in the elements of originality, creativity, and the humor quotient.

When it comes to the the best (or worst) fantasy football punishments, Creating A DIY Combine takes the cake. Not only do you and your league members get to be creative, you also get to watch your friends fail at all the athletic rigors you put them through. Another fun fantasy football punishment is to send your league loser back to school by making them take an SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, what have you, as long as it's in public and they have to down a beer every 25 questions or so. If they don't pass in the end, you can even lobby further woe their way. 

The 'Tattoo Punishment', where the losing manager must ink a temporary tattoo chosen by the winner, certainly brings out the gasps and giggles. ‘Stand-up Comedy Punishment’ deserves a mention; losing managers perform a live stand-up routine at a local comedy club! Then we have the 'Roadside Humiliation', featuring the loser holding up a sign of their fantasy football disgrace on a busy street. The 'Fantasy Calendar' punishment, where the loser must post a calendar filled with embarrassing photos, incites endless laughter. Furthermore, 'The Diet Punishment' requires the loser to devour a combination of foods all the other players hate, while the 'Costume Punishment' entails donning a ridiculous outfit in a public place.

This list presents a treasure trove of not just good punishment ideas but also the ingenuity and humor unique to the world of fantasy football. Now, we invite you to have your say. Scan the list thoroughly, soak in the merriment, and genuinely evaluate the punishments based on how much they made you laugh. Vote for your favorites and move them up the leaderboard. Remember, your vote influences the ranking. Together, let's determine the best and the funniest fantasy football punishments. Enjoy the laughter riot and keep the spirit of fantasy football alive!

Most divisive: The Little Person
Over 300 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Fantasy Football Punishments
  • 1
    118 votes

    24 Hours At A Restaurant

    This punishment is brutal, as it requires spending 24 straight hours at a restaurant - typically a diner like a Waffle House or somewhere open 24 hours. However, each entree you eat takes an hour off your time. Could you probably scarf down 10 entrees within the 24-hour span? Of course. That still leaves 14 more hours to spend in an uncomfortable booth while feeling like an idiot.

  • 2
    62 votes

    Public Announcement

    The public announcement is a punishment as old as they come. Stand on a street corner with a sign. Make a post on social media (LinkedIn is the funniest option here). Take out a full page ad in the Sunday Times. No matter how you do it, this one gets the job done.

  • 3
    104 votes

    Blow Up Doll Dinner Date

    If you're ready to Lars and The Real Girl your league loser, the first step is finding a tasteful but truly shocking to look at blow-up doll. Name her Nikki, Tracie, or something related to an inside joke for your league. After every season, the loser must take Nikki on a date to restaurant chosen by the league winner. Nikki must be treated like a real person the whole time, so you better not hurt her feelings. Order her a drink and an entree. The rest of the league is encouraged to attend and sit at a different table to watch. This allows for photos and social media embarrassment.

  • 4
    55 votes

    Santa's Lap

    Since the season ends around Christmas every year, this can be a fun one. The last place loser has to sit on Santa's lap at the mall, or loudly complain when security tells them that they're not allowed because they're an adult. If you want to make them wear an elf costume, all the better. Make sure someone films the inevitable arrest that should follow.

  • 5
    60 votes

    Calendar Photoshoot

    For the truly creative, all the league winners get to pick outfits for each month and the league loser must do a full calendar photoshoot. How about Cupid for February? The Easter Bunny for April? What about a Stars and Stripes speedo for July? This one can get really gnarly.

  • 6
    51 votes

    The Long Train To Nowhere

    In this excruciating punishment, the loser of your league must take a day-long, non-stop train or bus ride to and from the league's destination of choice. In a twist, the loser doesn't get to bring a phone or tablet. All they get is a disposable camera that they must use like a tourist.

  • 7
    62 votes

    Stand Up And Take It Like A Man

    Whether it's a barrage of tomatoes, or a volley of paintballs, one of the most physically painful punishments is to simply stand up and take it. Set strict parameters so your leaguemates don't go overboard - 2 tomatoes a piece, two minutes of paintball fire - but have fun with it and be a good sport.

  • 8
    70 votes

    Beer Mile

    A lot of people love beer, but nobody likes running. In this punishment, the loser must drink a full beer, run a quarter mile, drink another beer, run another quarter mile, and so on until they've run a full beer mile. While you might catch a buzz, you'll also catch a bad cramp if you're out of shape.

  • 9
    92 votes

    Stand Up At An Open Mic

    There are few experiences more humiliating than completely bombing at an open mic night. So for your league loser, it will be a nightmare to have to go up and deliver material to make the room laugh. Pack the room with all the friends you can, so when their jokes don't land, it hurts extra. But it's not just crickets that work in this setting. Often times a pity clap here or there can go a long way towards breaking a performer's psyche.

  • 10
    54 votes

    Wheel Of Misfortune

    The loser spins a wheel full of random punishments submitted by other league members at the beginning of the season. Keep in mind, you could get your own punishment, so you might want to take it easy just in case.

  • 11
    66 votes

    Busk On The Street For The Night

    We've all seen a Goldman or Silverman tap dancing around whatever famous street (Bourbon, Hollywood Blvd, Times Square, etc) there is in your city. Take this idea and run with it any way you wish by making the loser of your league busk on the street for a night. Dress them up as whatever you like and force them to panhandle while they perform. By the end of the night, you may even have some extra beer money.   

  • 12
    47 votes

    Full Body Wax

    In this punishment, the last place finisher must go to a local esthetician and have their whole body waxed.  They also must invite everyone to attend, so  every member of the league gets to enjoy the losers’ pain, while the loser gets silky smooth body.

  • 13
    13 votes

    Make A Music Video

    The winner of the league gets to select any music video, while the loser must do their best to recreate the video. It doesn’t end there. The loser must then post whatever video they make to every social media platform they have without comment. The loser is further forbidden from responding to comments. 

  • 14
    24 votes

    Eyebrows Of Shame

    Impractical Jokers did it first, but the loser of your fantasy league must shave their eyebrows. After the eyebrows are gone, the loser must take a picture and set it as their profile picture until the next season's draft. This way, it’s the punishment that can always be remembered.

  • 15
    77 votes

    Create A DIY Combine

    Nothing's funnier than making the losers of you league do a forty yard dash, three cone drill, and bench press 225. The best part about this option is it's completely customizable with drills.

  • 16
    21 votes

    Social Media Takeover

    In this brutal punishment, the loser must give their fantasy league members the login credentials to their Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms of choice. They then get a full twenty-four hours to post whatever statuses, photos, memes, and links they choose. Again, it’s a good idea to set sensible limits here about the type of content that is acceptable.  No one should be in danger of losing their jobs, just the respect of their friends and family.

  • 17
    39 votes

    Enter A US Open Qualifier

    If your group is comprised of a bunch of golfers, this could be actually be a fun punishment. Until the league loser has to hit the links. If they're awful at golf, this will be a seriously trying experience, as the shoot +10 every hole. 

  • 18
    71 votes

    Back To School

    Another great punishment which has grown in popularity in recent years is forcing the loser of your league to take the LSAT, MCAT, SAT, ACT, and GRE, you name it. Ideally in public, at a tailgate or the like, while everyone's getting drunk. Meanwhile, if your friend doesn't pass with a certain score, you can lobby additional punishments on top of this one.

  • 19
    49 votes

    Attend a Kidz Bop Concert

    Want to truly waste your league loser's time? Make them attend a Kidz Bop Concert. The ultimate pop concert for kids! To make sure they go, require vids every 30 minutes and maybe even a merchandise purchase.

  • 20
    32 votes

    The Plunge

    A symbolic and cold-hearted custom, to be sure, this punishment goes best when the loser is forced to dress in a tuxedo or their best suit before plunging into a freezing body of water.

  • 21
    22 votes

    The Sexy Fireman

    Every year you see dedicated firefighters near a busy stoplight asking for donations. In this punishment, the owner must buy a very revealing fire person costume and wear it by the most active stoplight in the town/city. They hold up a large sign asking for donations.  While the money they raise cab be donated to the league’s choosing. Or go into a beer fund.

     

  • 22
    31 votes

    Loser Tattoo

    It's a time honored punishment, having your loser get a tattoo upon finishing in last place. While this punishment lasts forever, it could be a fun way for leagues who love the ink.

  • 23
    42 votes

    Custom License Plate

    Nothing says "Fantasy Loser" like a vanity license plate that reads “FNTSYLSR." Maybe that's too many letters, who knows. Custom license plate letterage varies from state. It's still a fun idea. Even look into getting one of those license plate frames, where you can really go wild with the details. 

  • 24
    30 votes

    Mystery Bag

    Each owner writes a punishment on a piece of paper. The punishments can be as cruel as you want but remember you may finish last too. Each owner reaches in the bag and whatever he or she pulls out is the punishment they get to do to the owner who finished last.

  • 25
    39 votes

    Lemonade Stand

    The last place owner must operate a fully functional lemonade stand in a busy part of town for a full day, with the profits being split among the other members of the league. Most important -- the lemonade has to actually be good, as a local chef will be invited out to test the beverage's quality.

  • 26
    29 votes

    Car Wash

    It's practical and can be economically completed. Basically, everyone in the league gets a shiny new car wash courtesy of the last-place loser - bikini optional.

  • 27
    28 votes

    Fluff N Fold

    The loser must do a full load of laundry for every member of the league. It's embarrassing, time consuming, and potentially kind of nasty. You just know someone is putting dirty underwear in there.

  • 28
    41 votes

    Picking Up the Tab

    For those who want last place to pay, but aren't into sadistic games (a.k.a. not sociopaths), the loser should simply pick up the tab for the next league gathering. Be it an end of season shin dig or next year's draft. It's painless enough, but if your loser is a cheapskate too, it might be the worst punishment of all.

  • 29
    41 votes

    Bedroom Poster

    Another simple yet effective punishment. The loser of the league must buy a large poster of the player they selected in the first round and keep it in their room for the whole year. All in all it's harmless, but a constant reminder of their failure, plus a surefire way to annoy a significant other.

  • 30
    12 votes

    The Embarrassing Convenience Store Run

    For consecutive weeks, a predetermined period of time, the loser of your league must go to the grocery store during the busiest time of the day and purchase a Cucumber, Vaseline, and Condoms. Props to you if you chose the checkout line with the most customers.

     

  • 31
    27 votes

    Meow

    In honor of Super Troopers, each time the loser has a conversation, he must work the word “Meow” into the conversation.  Or another word. Make it an inside joke between your friends. This is a relatively easy punishment, but it is still funny, and in no way will it ever get old.

  • 32
    29 votes

    New Year, New You

    This one requires an honor system, but basically it involves forcing your league's worst performer to use a wallet or phone case of your league's choosing until the start of next season. Think pink, velcro, hello kitty. Imagine the looks when you pull those out in public. You could also force the loser to have an embarrassing charm on their keychain. Or a cringeworthy ringtone. 

  • 33
    33 votes

    Milk Chug

    If you and your leaguemates are truly psychos, then the milk chug is a great choice. Stock up on a few gallons of milk, and at the next gathering, the loser must chug milk until they throw up.

  • 34
    50 votes

    Rival's Jersey

    It's honestly one of the more tame punishments, but in this scenario, the loser must wear a rival NFL team's jersey to the next fantasy draft or their favorite team's next game. They also have to take photos of it to put on social media. For those who aren't die-hard NFL fans, this might sound easy, but it's a tough pill to swallow for maybe a Giants fan forced to wear that Eagles green. 

  • 35
    28 votes

    A Night In Her Shoes

    The loser of your fantasy league will be required to shave their legs, don a dress and heels for the next season's fantasy football draft.

     

  • 36
    33 votes

    Loss Of Team Naming Rights

    This punishment is a classic. The champ gets to name the loser’s team the following season. Anything they want. Maybe you’re in a work league, and forcing your manager to dress up like a ballerina and covering him in chocolate syrup for a photo shoot isn’t an option.  So this punishment allows you to keep the humiliation in-house while avoiding lawsuits.

  • 37
    26 votes

    Beer Boy

    In the beer boy, your league loser is to be dressed in an outfit that the champion finds pleasing during the draft the following season. The beer boy is responsible for buying and serving all drinks to other owners while sticking names on the draft board for the entire draft.

  • 38
    26 votes

    Child's Chair

    The loser must sit in a child-sized plastic chair for the duration of the next year's fantasy draft. Not only will they be sitting lower than everyone else, which is fitting, but they will also be so uncomfortable and look like a complete idiot.

  • 39
    21 votes

    Unfortunate Piercing

    We use shiny objects such as medals and trophies to reward the champions of fantasy football.  So why not punish the owner who finished in last with the same idea. In this one, the loser must get a piercing. Where to pierce? That's up to the loser to decide.

  • 40
    14 votes

    The Sanchez

    The league loser's social media profile names must now include “The Sanchez." Further, at all times, the loser must carry a card identifying them simply as "The Sanchez".

  • 41
    14 votes

    Order a Fathead

    The winner of your league will take a picture of himself holding the championship trophy. This picture will be blown up into a FatHead which will be placed in the basement, game-room, or man-cave of the losers house.

  • 42
    30 votes

    The Little Person

    This one could get a bit hairy, but the punishment forces the loser to be handcuffed to a little person for the entirety of the draft the following season.  Not only is this hilarious but it is nothing but weird for the loser.  It limits their mobility and if you have the right little person for the job, they will make the experience that much worse for the last-place finisher.

  • 43
    17 votes

    Fear Factor

    For this punishment idea, you’ll pick some extraordinarily disgusting and disturbing, but preferably non-toxic for the loser to consume. Roaches, crickets, worms are all on the table. Make sure to get a cameraman to capture the punishment in cinematic form.

  • 44
    17 votes

    r/roastme

    This punishment involves forcing the fantasy league loser to post a photo of themselves on Reddit’s r/roastme. ICYDK, r/roastme is a subreddit dedicated to tearing down its subjects with cruel and mostly accurate attacks on their person based on the photo. While this punishment is free, it is particularly vicious and ideal for leagues that want to destroy their members’ psyche in place of their finances.

  • 45
    15 votes

    Odd Man Out

    Bill Simmons, a.k.a The Sports Guy, sports journalist and founder of The Ringer, is famously in a fantasy football league with actor Jon Hamm and Fox Sports' gambling expert Cousin Sal. The thing about their league is they have an odd number of teams. Thus, every year the winner from the prior season gets the pleasure of kicking one team out of the league for the entire next year. Nothing says shame, like making the loser of your league have to sit out an entire season.

  • 46
    13 votes

    Plenty of Fish

    In a punishment that could actually work out for the best, make the loser of your league sign-up and go on a date set up on Christian Mingle or Farmers Only or a similar site. If you really work it out for someone who is not compatible with your pal, they could be in for a tough night. Or maybe they are secretly super compatible and they fall in love.

  • 47
    16 votes

    This Is Going To Hurt

    This one is going to hurt. The commissioner buys the shittiest fifth of tequila he can find. Everyone in the league then takes a shot, while loser finishes the bottle.

  • 48
    14 votes

    Christmas Cards

    In this seasonal punishment, last place must create a solo Christmas card with 1 detail of each league member's choosing and send it to every league member's family.

  • 49
    11 votes

    Spend A Night At The Office

    Specifically for work leagues, spending a night at the office is a positively creepy way to set your coworkers up for the weirdest night of their lives. Tbh the bigger your company the funnier this is as it might include run-ins with cleaning staff, vending machine malaise, and the impossible dilemma of where to sleep?

  • 50
    10 votes

    Puka Shell Hell

    Last place of the league must wear a puka shell necklace for a month to all social engagements especially, no matter the occasion.

  • 51
    16 votes

    Wear Pajamas For a Whole Day

    If you've got to run errands, you do so in pajamas. If you've got to work a job, you do so in pajamas. It's the breaks of the game, people!

  • 52
    14 votes

    Fan Fiction

    At the end of the season, the loser of the league must write an erotic "fan fiction" story based on the players they have on their team.