League of Legends Classic, slated for release on July 29, 2026, with Patch 26.15, recreates old-school LoL gameplay while upgrading certain aspects for modern players, Riot Games announced.
League Classic gameplay is based on early League hits rather than a single patch, centered on 2013's Season 3. It has classic Runes and Masteries, Summoner Spells, items, a pioneer roster of 60 champions with several pre-rework kits, and a revamped Summoner's Rift map.
Per Riot, LoL has grown more complicated with more champion fantasy, mobility, and skill expression. League Classic encourages strategic decision-making with its restored combat pacing and sharper champion strengths and weaknesses. To improve gameplay clarity, the League Classic map tweaks lighting, texturing, and shadows.
Paul Bellezza, League of Legends executive producer, stated:
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.
League Classic: Game Mode Highlights
Queues and Progression: League Classic will support custom games, Co-op vs AI, and a single PvP draft queue at launch. Classic Levels offer a free progression track for all players. By improving their League Classic Level, players can receive Runes, Masteries, Blue Essence, IP, and various skins. At Classic Level 10, begin your Summoner's Journey from Salt to Legend. Classic Levels, like account levels, are for one-time progress only.
Champions: League Classic launches with 60 champions, including the original 40 and 20 released between 2009 and 2013. Additional champions will be introduced after launch. Players with these champions can use them in League Classic immediately. Otherwise, players can unlock Classic champions from their Classic Level or Shop. Old-school inking outlines have been added to each champion's base model. Furthermore, VFX, sound updates, and animations match those of Classic kits for some champions.
Items, Runes, and Masteries: League Classic returns several classic items and item combos, focusing on memorable builds. Returning Runes and Masteries have a simpler, faster unlock method. Playing and raising Classic Level unlocks Runes, Masteries, and Rune Pages. Players will receive default Runes and Masteries to level the playing field and provide options.
Passes, Cosmetics, and Portraits: Like Battle Passes, League Classic Seasonal Classic Passes have a free and premium track and reward IP, Blue Essence (BE), Rune Pages, emotes, titles, Classic Skins, and Portraits. Classic Skins recreate Classic champions' 2009–2013 looks. Classic Skin Tokens, acquired with the Seasonal Pass or bought in the Shop, enable Classic Skins. Classic Skin Tokens unlock any Classic Skin. Classic Skins will have Classic Chromas. League Classic will support several skins at launch and add more over time. Portraits are new cosmetic items with alternate loading screen splashes, from doodling to champion reimaginings. Portraits rotate in the loading screen, letting players collect and display their favorites. Only League Classic supports Portraits, Classic Skins, and Classic Chromas.
The Council: League Classic introduces a community voting system that lets players influence future growth. The dev team will control game health and balance, but players will have input on League Classic champions, skins, and gameplay modifications. Classic Level players can access The Council and unlock voting power through games, giving them more influence.
Now, I am excited to hear from veteran LoL players here about your expectations with the forthcoming League Classic throwback mode, and also your past experience in the 2013 LoL era. – PinoyTechSaga
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