League of Legends Classic Releases in Patch 26.15

TL;DR: Kicking off Season 3 this year, League of Legends Classic brings players back to an earlier era, complete with the early Summoner’s Rift map, champion roster and kits, fan-favorite items, and more

Date: July 14, 2026

Overview

• On July 29 in Patch 26.15, League of Legends will release League of Legends Classic, a new gameplay experience that recreates the feel of early League while modernizing select systems for today’s players.
• While anchored in 2013’s Season 3, League Classic gameplay is a collection of greatest hits from across early League rather than an exact recreation of a single patch.
• League Classic features old-school Runes and Masteries, items, Summoner Spells, a starting roster of 60 classic champions with many pre-rework kits, and a recreation of the Summoner’s Rift map. 

• Over the years, League of Legends has evolved into a substantially more complex game, with more diverse champion fantasies, skill expression, and mobility. In League Classic, combat pacing is more similar to how it was in the past and champions have sharper strengths and weaknesses, encouraging more strategic decision making.
• The League Classic map features targeted improvements to lighting, textures, and shadows, to heighten gameplay clarity.

Quote from Executive Producer Paul Bellezza: “League Classic is personal for us. You’ve been asking for this for years, and honestly, a lot of us at Riot have missed that early League feeling too. There’s real nostalgia there. We’re not going for a one-to-one recreation of the old times. We want League Classic to scratch that itch while still bringing something new to the table. At its core, this is about honoring League’s roots. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or you’re coming back after years away, we want this to feel like home.”

Queues & Progression

• At launch, League Classic will support a single PvP draft queue, Co-op vs AI, and custom games.
• Classic Levels are a free progression track that all players will be able to access.
• Players can gain levels by playing games of League Classic and can earn Runes, Masteries, IP, BE, and a variety of cosmetics, by increasing their Classic Level. 
• Upon reaching Classic Level 10, players will start their Summoner’s Journey, with progression from Salt to Legend.
• Classic Levels are a one-time progression system akin to account levels. 

Champions

• League Classic will launch with a roster of 60 champions, featuring the original 40 and 20 additional champions released between 2009-2013. More champions will be added after launch.
• Players who already own these champions will have immediate access to them in League Classic. Otherwise, players will be able to unlock Classic champions through their Classic Level or from the Shop. 
• Each champion’s base model has been updated with old-school inking outlines. Some champions have also received VFX, animation, and sound updates to match their Classic kits.

Items, Runes & Masteries

• Many iconic classic items and item combinations are returning in League Classic, with a focus on memorable builds of the past. 
• The old Runes and Masteries are also returning, though with a simpler and faster unlock system. Players will unlock Runes, Masteries, and additional Rune Pages, through gameplay and increasing their Classic Level.
• Default Runes and Masteries will be provided to players to allow for a more even playing field while unlocking more options.

Passes, Skins, and Portraits

• League Classic features Seasonal Classic Passes, similar to Battle Passes in that they have a free and paid track, granting various rewards including IP, BE, Rune Pages, emotes, titles, and Classic Skins and Portraits.
• Classic Skins are skins that bring back the iconic look of Classic champions as they sported during the 2009-2013 era. 
• Classic Skins are unlockable through Classic Skin Tokens, which can be earned through the Seasonal Pass or purchased in the Shop. Classic Skin Tokens can be used to unlock any Classic Skin. Classic Chromas will also be available for Classic Skins.
• Many existing skins will be available to use in League Classic at launch, and the list of supported skins will expand over time.
• The new cosmetic item Portraits are alternate-styled loading screen splash, ranging from playful doodles to reinterpretations of champions. 
• Portraits will rotate in the loading screen, allowing players to collect them and show off their favorites.
• Portraits, Classic Skins, and Classic Chromas are only usable in League Classic.

The Council

• With the release of League Classic, comes a new system called The Council, a community voting system that allows players to help guide some future development decisions.
• Game health and balance will be owned by the development team, but players will be able to influence decisions such as which champions are added to League Classic next, what skins are made next for League Classic, and even certain gameplay changes.
• Players will gain access to The Council through Classic Level and will be able to unlock additional voting power through gameplay, allowing players who spend more time in Classic to have more of a voice in The Council.