League of Legends developer Riot Games confirmed that the popular League Classic mode would end its current run once Season 3 of 2026 concludes due to most players going back to other game modes. In short, Classic is an official League of Legends game mode that recreates the gameplay and character balance from the hit MOBA title’s earlier years.
League of Legends Classic was first introduced on July 29 alongside Patch 26.15. Compared to standard gameplay modes, League Classic focuses on strategy over action. Along with a limited selection of playable Champions, such as Vayne and Ezreal, Classic also has user interface elements that some of the game’s older fans may recognize. Although game modes such as Arena and All Random All Mid (ARAM) exist in modern League of Legends, the only mode available in League Classic is Summoner’s Rift, the game’s iconic 5v5 map.
League Classic’s Days Are Numbered
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Despite the initial popularity of League Classic, Riot Games stated that its days are numbered. According to a developers’ post by Paul “Pabro” Bellezza and Andrei “Meddler” van Roon, League of Legends Classic will be available in its current form until Season 3 of 2026 concludes on January 6, 2027, when it will become unavailable as a full game mode. However, Riot Games stated that Classic could be brought back as a future event mode with some adjustments and additions in response to feedback. Additionally, all Classic-specific cosmetic content that was purchased will be refunded. The League Classic Pass in Patch 26.21 will be changed to a free track, meaning players can unlock classic player icons by clearing missions and earning Classic Pass Coins in the process.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Starting with Patch 26.21 on October 21, the only items that can be bought at the Classic Store are runes, rune pages, and champions. Champions already acquired in modern League of Legends can be played in Classic at no additional cost. League Classic will also transition to windowed queues in several game regions that saw decreased player participation, such as Korea, Oceania, and Latin America. Once Patch 26.21 arrives, the window will be open from 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM server time Monday through Friday, and 10:00 to 1:00 AM server time on weekends. Additionally, League Classic will only be available in Japan and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region via custom matches.
The announcement came just one day before the start of the 2026 League of Legends World Championship on October 15. The Play-in stage kicks off at the Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles, before moving onto the Swiss and Knockout Stages at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The finals will be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. However, tickets for League of Legends Worlds 2026 are already being scalped for ridiculous prices.
Until League Classic retires as a full game mode, Riot Games stated it would continue to take player feedback into consideration. But, between the upcoming World Championship and ongoing development on a League of Legends MMO project, Riot’s pivot away from League Classic has unfortunate timing for fans.
- Released
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October 27, 2009
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
