Riot Games is ready for 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, with 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 classic season passes with cosmetic rewards.
While the gameplay is primarily based on Season 3, it will also feature champions from previous and subsequent seasons, selected for the fun of their kits.
What League of Legends Classic includes at launch and the roster of 60 champions
League Classic launches with a recreation of the first 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 summoner journey and level progression system.
- Classic Season Passes offer free and paid tracks, complemented by classic skins that restore the look of champions 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 launch ARAM Mayhem Classic-ish, a limited-time mode that offers a themed ARAM experience focused on League Classic.
The release roster includes the original 40 champions, with an additional 20 released between 2009 and 2013. More champions from that initial League period are planned to be released after release.
The full roster of 60 champions includes 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 use older or pre-overhauled kits, with exceptions like Malphite and Morgana, whose updates have changed little since their Season 3 versions. Some champions feature updated visuals, 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 exchanges. Mana costs are more significant, making mana-less situations more common.
Taking opponents out of lane now provides significant experience and gold advantage. Carriers who get an advantage can carry games alone more easily. The game features smaller jungle camps with ghosts and jungle upgrades similar to previous versions.
Respawn timers are faster and jungle camp damage is higher. The map has been redesigned for clarity, with improved lighting, shadows and textures.
Classic runes and masteries return, but with updated quality of life features. All Runes start immediately at Level 3. They are obtained through a pass-type progression system. Players start with three pages of runes and two more are unlocked as they level up in Classic mode.
Additional rune pages can be purchased via IP. Mastery Pages and Points are fully unlocked at Classic Level 4. This system aims to preserve the feel of the old League experience without requiring the long grind to level 30 that veteran players remember.
The council voting system, what players need to know and its availability
Classic levels are a unique, free 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 coins, rune pages and cosmetics. The Summoner’s Journey is unlocked once a player reaches Classic Level 10. Ranked progression progresses from Salt to Legend, with only a small portion of players expected to reach the highest level.
Role selection is based on preference, discouraging the old-fashioned silent, last-choice approach. Players choose their preferred roles before the game begins.
Classic Season Passes offer free and paid reward tracks. Rewards include IP and BE coins, 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 Season Pass or by purchasing them in the store. 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 presentations, with styles ranging from doodles to champion reinterpretations.
The Council is a new community voting system that allows players to influence future decisions in League Classic. Community votes will determine which champions are added next, what skins are created for the mode, and certain gameplay changes.
Players returning from Season 3 will notice the biggest differences: the original pace and slower gameplay flow, a simpler champion pool, and the reintroduction of building systems that have been removed in the Modern League.
For newer players, expect to find 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 the assassin AP Poppy and other unusual builds.
Newer players should also be prepared for more challenging jungle camps than in recent versions of the League. Wriggle’s Lantern returns to hold down the jungle, and dying to the Blue Buff is still a common early-game problem 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 champions from the early eras will be added later. The Council’s voting system will help determine which champions will be introduced next. Updates on additional content, balance changes, and future Classic Season Passes will be available through official League of Legends channels as the mode develops.
