Commissioner Pre-Season Checklist: Everything to Do Before the Draft
A draft that runs smoothly is not an accident. It is the product of preparation done in advance. Use this checklist as your season-start protocol.
Pre-Season Checklist Quick Reference
| Timeframe | Priority tasks | What happens if you skip |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks before draft | Confirm draft date; open dues collection; confirm returning managers; find replacements for open spots | Rush to fill spots the week before the draft; payment disputes on draft day |
| 4 weeks before draft | Verify all platform settings; announce rule changes; set draft order announcement date | Wrong scoring settings all season; managers unprepared for rule changes |
| 1 week before draft | Payment audit; dry run the draft room; send pre-draft reminder with all details | Platform error discovered on draft day; non-payers in the draft |
| Draft day (30 min before) | Open the lobby; confirm all managers online; set the 5-minute late policy | Draft delayed waiting for a missing manager; no late-arrival protocol |
| After the draft | Send recap within 24 hours; open waiver wire; confirm FAAB budgets; post updated rules | Managers forget what they drafted; waiver wire opens with wrong settings |
8 Weeks Before Draft
Confirm draft date and time: Send a group message or poll to all managers. Lock in a date with at least 80% confirmation before announcing the final date. Set the draft with at least 4 weeks notice.
Collect dues: Open dues collection immediately. Use LeagueSafe for automatic prize distribution. Set deadline: all dues paid 1 week before draft. Policy: no payment, no draft pick — announce this clearly upfront.
Confirm the roster: Identify any managers who did not re-confirm. If a spot is open, begin outreach to replacement candidates now. Do not try to fill open spots the week before the draft.
4 Weeks Before Draft
Verify all platform settings. Log in and confirm each of the following:
- Scoring: PPR value, QB TD value, bonus settings
- Roster slots: QB/RB/WR/TE/FLEX counts
- Bench size and IR slots
- Waiver system: FAAB budget, rolling waiver, or commissioner-managed
- Trade review period: 24-hour, 48-hour, or league-vote
- Playoff teams count and weeks
- Draft type: snake or auction
These settings carry over from last year on most platforms — last year’s settings may not match what the league agreed to this year.
Announce any rule changes. Share the list of approved changes with the league. Give managers at least 3 weeks to review before draft.
Set draft order. Choose method: random, last-place-first, vote, or commissioner-assigned. Announce the draft order 48 hours before draft day.
1 Week Before Draft
Payment audit. Check LeagueSafe or your payment tracker. Send individual messages to anyone who has not paid. Confirm 100% of managers have paid or have confirmed payment commitments.
Dry run the draft room. Log in to the platform. Verify the draft lobby opens without errors. Set autopick queues to a reasonable default. Know how to pause and resume the draft. Know how to handle a manager who goes offline mid-draft.
Send the pre-draft reminder including: date and time (include time zone); draft room link or platform name; draft order; dues deadline reminder (last call); rules summary of any changes from last year.
Draft Day
30 minutes before: Open the draft lobby; confirm all managers are logged in; set a 5-minute late policy — if a manager is not in the room by Pick 3, set them to autopick for the remainder.
| Problem | Response |
|---|---|
| Manager not online by Pick 3 | Set to autopick immediately |
| Platform will not load | Screenshot picks made, pause draft, contact support |
| Manager wants to reverse a pick | Reverse within 30 seconds if clear platform error; do not reverse poor decisions |
| Trade offer during draft | Announce pre-draft that trades open after the draft ends |
After the Draft
Send draft recap within 24 hours: Full draft results — who picked in each round, every team’s full roster. Add a commissioner message with personality.
Open waiver wire. Confirm FAAB budgets are set correctly. Announce that the waiver wire and free agent pool are open.
Post the league rules. Updated rules reflecting any rule changes voted in this year. Let the league know how to reach you for disputes and questions during the season.
For the full new league setup process, see: Commissioner Guide: How to Set Up a New Fantasy Football League. For the offseason version of this checklist, see: Commissioner Guide: How to Run the Offseason and Keep Your League Together. For waiver strategy once the season starts, see: Dynasty Waiver Wire: How to Use Free Agency to Improve Your Roster.
Worked Example: The Settings Check
A commissioner assumes last year’s platform settings carried over correctly. On draft night, managers notice the bench size is wrong and the waiver system reverted to a default. That problem was avoidable with a preseason settings audit.
The safer process is to verify every major setting, screenshot the final setup, and post a short confirmation before the draft. That gives managers a chance to catch mistakes while they are still easy to fix.
Common mistake: treating season prep as only scheduling the draft. The commissioner also needs to confirm settings, dues, manager access, and the opening waiver process.
Season Prep Table
| Prep area | Commissioner check |
|---|---|
| Settings | Match platform to rules |
| Managers | Confirm access and return status |
| Dues | Collect before draft |
| Draft | Confirm time, order, and absent policy |