Riot Games is set to launch League of Legends Classic on July 29, 2026, with Patch 26.15. The update will bring back a Season 3 style Summoner's Rift experience, featuring pre-rework champion kits, old runes and masteries, as well as classic items.
The new mode will initially include 60 champions and introduce updated progression systems, a community voting feature called The Council, and Seasonal Classic Passes with cosmetic rewards.
While the game mode is primarily based on Season 3, it will also feature champions from earlier and later seasons, selected for the fun of their kits.
What League of Legends Classic Includes at Launch and the 60-Champion Roster
League Classic launches featuring a recreation of the early Summoner's Rift map:
60 champions with pre-rework kits, old-school runes and masteries, and classic items and item combinations. It includes summoner spells from that era, along with a levels and summoner's journey progression system.
Seasonal Classic Passes offer both free and paid tracks, complemented by classic skins that restore champion looks from 2009 to 2013.
Portraits, a new cosmetic type, are also introduced, along with The Council, a community voting system.
In addition to League Classic, Riot will release ARAM Mayhem Classic-ish, a limited-time mode that offers a themed ARAM experience centered around League Classic.
The launch roster includes the original 40 champions, with an additional 20 released between 2009 and 2013. More champions from that early League period are planned for release after launch.
The full roster of 60 champions features Ahri, Alistar, Amumu, Anivia, Annie, Ashe, Blitzcrank, Brand, Cho'Gath, Corki, Dr. Mundo, Evelynn, Ezreal, Fiddlesticks, Gangplank, Garen, Gragas, Heimerdinger, Janna, Jarvan IV, Jax, Karthus, Kassadin, Katarina, Kayle, Kog'Maw, Lee Sin, Leona, Lulu, Lux, Malphite, Malzahar, Master Yi, Miss Fortune, Morgana, Nasus, Nidalee, Nunu and Willump, Olaf, Pantheon, Rammus, Ryze, Shaco, Singed, Sion, Sivir, Skarner, Sona, Soraka, Taric, Teemo, Tristana, Tryndamere, Twisted Fate, Twitch, Vayne, Veigar, Warwick, Wukong, and Zilean.
All champions utilize older or pre-rework kits, with exceptions like Malphite and Morgana, whose updates have changed little since their Season 3 versions. Some champions feature updated visual effects, animations, and sounds to match their classic kits, especially those whose modern versions underwent significant changes after visual and gameplay updates.
Gameplay Changes, Classic Runes and Masteries, and Progression Systems
League Classic reduces the speed and mobility that characterize modern League of Legends. Key differences include slower scaling and more deliberate trades. Mana costs are more significant, making out-of-mana situations more common.
Pushing opponents out of lane now provides a meaningful experience and gold advantage. Carries who gain a lead can more easily carry games solo. The game features smaller jungle camps with wraiths and jungle buffs similar to earlier versions.
Respawn timers are faster, and jungle camp damage is higher. The map has been redesigned for better clarity, with improved lighting, shadows, and textures.
Classic Runes and Masteries return but with updated quality-of-life features. All Runes start at Tier 3 immediately. They are obtained through a pass-like progression system. Players begin with three Rune Pages, and two more unlock as they level up in Classic mode.
Additional Rune Pages can be purchased using IP. Mastery pages and points fully unlock at Classic Level 4. This system aims to preserve the feel of the old League experience without requiring the lengthy grind to level 30 that long-time players remember.
The Council Voting System, What Players Should Know, and Availability
Classic Levels are a free, one-time progression track separate from regular account levels. Players earn Classic Levels by playing League Classic and can unlock various features, including runes, masteries,
IP and BE currencies, rune pages, and cosmetics. The Summoner's Journey unlocks once a player reaches Classic Level 10. Ranked progression moves from Salt through Legend, with only a small portion of players expected to reach the highest tier.
Role selection is based on preferences, discouraging the old-fashioned last-pick, silent approach. Players choose their preferred roles before the game begins.
Seasonal Classic Passes offer both free and paid reward tracks. Rewards include IP and BE currencies, rune pages, emotes, titles, classic skins, and portraits. Classic skins restore the original appearance of champions from 2009 to 2013. They can be unlocked using Classic Skin Tokens obtained from the Seasonal Pass or purchased in the shop. Classic Chromas will also be available.
At launch, many existing skins will be compatible with League Classic, and support for more skins will be added over time. Portraits are a new cosmetic feature that replaces or rotates between different loading screen splashes, featuring styles from doodles to champion reinterpretations.
The Council is a new community voting system that allows players to influence future decisions for League Classic. Community votes will determine which champions are added next, which skins will be created for the mode, and certain gameplay changes.
Players returning from Season 3 will notice the biggest differences: the original pacing and slower game flow, a simpler champion pool, and the reintroduction of build systems that have been removed in modern League.
For newer players, expect to encounter AP Master Yi with lifesteal item builds, Kassadin with high ban rates approaching 95 percent, Sion mid and Alistar top as viable strategies, as well as AP assassin Poppy and other unusual builds.
Newer players should also be prepared for more challenging jungle camps than in recent League versions. Wriggle's Lantern returns for jungle sustain, and dying to the Blue Buff remains a common early-game issue for those unfamiliar with the era.
League Classic launches on July 29, 2026, with Patch 26.15. The mode is included in the standard League of Legends client and does not require a separate download or subscription. Players can queue for League Classic through the regular client interface.
Riot Games has not announced additional champions beyond the initial 60 at launch but has indicated that more early-era champions will be added later. The Council voting system will help determine which champions are introduced next. Updates on further content, balance changes, and future Classic Season passes will be available through the official League of Legends channels as the mode develops.
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