Riot Games has officially unveiled League of Legends Classic, a nostalgic return to the early days of its hit MOBA. Launching on PC on July 29, 2026, alongside Patch 26.15, the project aims to recreate the combat pacing and strategic decision-making that defined the game’s first 15 years while updating core infrastructure for modern players.

Quick Facts

  • Launch Date: July 29, 2026 (Patch 26.15)
  • Platform: PC
  • Launch Roster: 60 champions
  • Key Features: Original Summoner’s Rift map, old-school items, runes, and masteries.

According to executive producer Paul Bellezza, the team is not aiming for a one-to-one recreation of the past. Instead, the developer is looking to deliver a “greatest hits” experience that balances the original feel with necessary modern upgrades like improved server infrastructure, spell buffering, and optional WASD controls. While the game will look familiar, Riot has applied targeted improvements to lighting, textures, and shadows on the original Summoner’s Rift map to ensure gameplay clarity.

Gameplay and Progression

Players will find a more streamlined progression system in Classic. While Runes and Masteries are returning, the unlock process is significantly faster than it was in the early days, and all players will have access to default pages from the start. Progression is tied to “Classic Levels,” a one-time track that rewards players with IP, BE, Rune Pages, and cosmetics.

Upon reaching Classic Level 10, players begin their “Summoner’s Journey,” progressing through ranks from Salt to Legend. To help maintain the game’s unique balance, Riot is introducing “The Council,” a community voting system that allows players to influence future champion additions, skins, and gameplay adjustments. The more a player engages with the system, the more weight their vote carries.

Launch Champion Roster

The game will launch with 60 champions, including the original 40 and 20 additional characters released between 2009 and 2013. The full list includes:

  • Ahri, Alistar, Amumu, Andropivia, 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 & 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.

Players who already own these champions in the modern game will have immediate access to them in Classic. Others can unlock them through the shop or by leveling up their Classic Level. Each champion’s base model has been updated with inking outlines, and some have received specific VFX, animation, and sound adjustments to match their Classic-era kits.

Queues and Seasonal Content

At launch, League of Legends Classic will support a single PvP draft queue, Co-op vs. AI, and custom games. The experience will be supported by Seasonal Classic Passes, which offer both free and paid tracks for earning IP, BE, emotes, titles, and exclusive skins that reflect the aesthetics of the 2009-2013 era.