League of Legends Classic launches July 29 with retro gameplay, 60 champions, and community voting

Riot Games is bringing players back to the early days of League of Legends with the launch of League of Legends Classic on July 29 as part of Patch 26.15. The new permanent game mode recreates the feel of early League while adding modern improvements, featuring a classic champion roster, old-school Runes and Masteries, returning items, and a rebuilt version of Summoner’s Rift.

Why it matters: League of Legends has evolved significantly over the past decade with faster gameplay, more complex champion designs, and expanded mechanics. League Classic gives longtime players a chance to revisit the game’s earlier style while introducing newer players to a version of League that emphasizes deliberate decision-making and clearer champion strengths and weaknesses.

The details: Rather than recreating a single historical patch, League Classic draws inspiration primarily from Season 3 in 2013 while combining some of the most memorable features from League’s early years.

At launch, the mode includes:

• A roster of 60 classic champions, consisting of the original 40 champions plus 20 more released between 2009 and 2013.
• Many pre-rework champion kits.
• The return of classic Runes and Masteries with a streamlined unlock system.
• Iconic legacy items and classic item builds.
• A recreated Summoner’s Rift with updated lighting, textures, and shadows to improve gameplay clarity while preserving its original appearance.

Gameplay is intentionally slower compared to modern League of Legends, with Riot saying champions have more defined strengths and weaknesses that encourage strategic play instead of constant mobility.

Executive Producer Paul Bellezza said the project is designed to capture the nostalgia many players have been requesting.

“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.”

The bigger picture: League Classic introduces its own progression system separate from the main game.

Players will earn Classic Levels simply by playing matches. Progression rewards include:

• Runes
• Masteries
• Influence Points (IP)
• Blue Essence (BE)
• Cosmetics
• Additional Rune Pages

After reaching Classic Level 10, players begin their “Summoner’s Journey,” progressing through ranks from Salt to Legend.

At launch, League Classic supports:

• PvP Draft Queue
• Co-op vs. AI
• Custom Games

Players who already own eligible champions in the main game will automatically have access to them in League Classic. Others can unlock champions through Classic Level progression or purchase them from the in-game shop.

For players: Riot is also introducing several cosmetic systems exclusive to League Classic.

Seasonal Classic Passes will include both free and paid reward tracks featuring:

• Influence Points
• Blue Essence
• Rune Pages
• Emotes
• Titles
• Classic Skins
• Portraits

Classic Skins recreate the appearance of champions during the 2009 to 2013 era and can be unlocked using Classic Skin Tokens earned through the Seasonal Pass or purchased separately. Classic Chromas will also be available.

Meanwhile, Portraits are a new cosmetic category that changes a champion’s loading screen artwork with alternate artistic styles, ranging from playful illustrations to new interpretations of existing splash art.

Riot also confirmed that many existing skins will already be supported at launch, with more compatibility arriving in future updates.

Between the lines: League Classic is not only reviving older gameplay but also giving players a greater role in shaping its future through a new community voting system called The Council.

While Riot will continue handling game balance and overall health, players will be able to vote on future content decisions, including:

• Which champions should be added next
• Which Classic Skins should be created
• Certain gameplay changes

Players unlock access to The Council through Classic Level progression, while additional gameplay grants more voting power, giving active players a larger influence over future updates.

What’s next: League of Legends Classic launches on July 29 alongside Patch 26.15. Riot plans to continue expanding the mode after release by adding more champions, additional supported skins, and community-driven updates influenced through The Council.

The Bottom Line: League of Legends Classic is more than a nostalgia mode. By combining early-era gameplay with modern quality-of-life improvements and community-driven development, Riot is creating a new way for both veteran and returning players to experience the game’s roots while helping shape its future.