Can You Trade Skins in League of Legends?

League of Legends has one of the largest cosmetic libraries in any competitive game, with hundreds of skins ranging from simple recolors to premium, animated designs. Skins are purely cosmetic, but they play a huge role in how players express themselves in-game, which naturally leads to one common question: can you trade skins in League of Legends? Many players coming from games like CS2 or Rocket League expect some form of player-to-player trading, especially when dealing with rare, legacy, or limited-time skins. In this guide, we break down Riot Games’ official stance on skin trading, explain what systems actually exist, clear up common myths, and cover the safe alternatives players use to get the skins they want, so you know exactly what is and isn’t possible in League of Legends.

Riot Games Official Stance on Skin Trading in LoL

Riot Games has been very clear over the years: skin trading is not supported in League of Legends and there are no plans to add it. Players cannot exchange, gift, or trade skins they already own with other accounts. This decision is mainly about account security and protecting the game’s economy. Allowing player-to-player trading would open the door to scams, account theft, and real-money skin markets, which Riot actively tries to prevent.

League of Legends is built around a direct-purchase model, where skins are bought straight from the store or unlocked through systems like Hextech crafting. If trading existed, players could bypass Riot’s store entirely, creating unofficial marketplaces for rare or discontinued skins. Riot has repeatedly stated that they want players to know exactly what they are buying, without randomness, speculation, or third-party involvement. Because of this, skins are permanently bound to the account that unlocks them, and once claimed, they cannot be transferred under any circumstances.

How Does Gifting Works in League of Legends

League of Legends does not have a traditional gifting system for skins you already own, but Riot does allow limited gifting directly through the in-game store. Gifting only works at the time of purchase, meaning you’re buying a brand-new item for another player rather than transferring something from your own collection.

To gift a skin, champion, or other eligible content, the recipient must be on your friends list for at least 24 hours, and both accounts must be in good standing with no restrictions. Once those requirements are met, you can open the store, select an item marked as giftable, and choose the friend you want to send it to. The gifted item is delivered instantly and becomes permanently bound to the recipient’s account.

There are important limitations to keep in mind. You cannot gift legacy skins unless they are temporarily available in the store, you cannot send Hextech-crafted skins, and you can’t gift content that the recipient already owns. RP itself cannot be gifted directly, and region restrictions apply, meaning you can only gift players on the same server. Because of these rules, gifting in League of Legends is meant for small, controlled purchases rather than acting as a substitute for skin trading.

League of Legends Skins Trading: Risks and Safe Options

League of Legends does not support skin trading in any official way, which means any attempt to trade, swap, or transfer skins between players comes with serious risks. Riot Games keeps all skins permanently bound to the account that unlocks them, and trying to bypass this system often leads to account bans, lost money, or outright scams.

The biggest risk comes from informal deals on Discord, Reddit, Telegram, or social media. These “skin trades” usually involve account sharing or promises of gifting that never happen. In many cases, sellers keep access to the original email and simply recover the account later, leaving buyers with nothing. Riot also does not help recover accounts lost through third-party trades, so once something goes wrong, there’s no safety net.

If you’re looking for a safer alternative to get specific skins that are no longer available, buying a pre-loaded account from a trusted marketplace is the lowest-risk option available right now. Platforms like 1v9 offer verified sellers, buyer protection, secure payments, and clear dispute processes, which dramatically reduces the chance of scams compared to private deals. While account trading isn’t officially endorsed by Riot, using an established platform with safeguards is far safer than random peer-to-peer transactions.

The key rule is simple: avoid direct trades and unverified sellers. If you’re determined to get a rare or discontinued skin, stick to reputable marketplaces with protection systems in place, and never trust “too good to be true” offers.

Will Riot Games Ever Add Skin Trading To League of Legends?

At this time, Riot Games has no plans to introduce skin trading to League of Legends, and it’s extremely unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Riot’s official stance is that skins and cosmetics are permanently tied to the account that unlocks them, and allowing players to trade would introduce security and economic issues the developers deliberately avoid.

Skin trading systems in other games often lead to scams, third-party marketplaces, and unauthorized real-money transactions—that’s exactly what Riot wants to prevent. League’s economy is built around direct purchases, Hextech Crafting, event rewards, and controlled gifting options, and there’s no system in place to safely swap or transfer items between players.

While some players look at third-party markets or pre-loaded accounts as a way to get rare skins, the safest and most reliable way to obtain them is still through legitimate in-game purchases or trusted marketplaces like 1v9, where buyer protection and secure transactions minimize risk. Until Riot explicitly redesigns its cosmetic economy—which has remained consistent for many years—official skin trading in League of Legends remains highly unlikely.

FAQs

Can you trade skins directly with other players in League of Legends?

No. Riot Games does not support player-to-player skin trading in League of Legends, and there’s no in-game system to exchange cosmetics between accounts.

Is gifting the same as trading in League of Legends?

Not really. Gifting lets you buy a new skin or item for a friend from the store, but you can’t send skins you already own or swap items back and forth.

Are third-party skin trading websites safe to use?

Most are risky. Many sites rely on account sharing or scams, which can lead to bans or lost access. Stick to official systems only, or use trusted marketplaces if you’re considering account purchases.

What’s the safest way to get a skin that’s no longer available?

There’s no official way to obtain removed or legacy skins. Some players choose to buy accounts that already own specific skins from reputable platforms like 1v9, which focus on secure transactions and buyer protection, but this still falls outside Riot’s official support.

Conclusion

Skin trading simply isn’t part of how League of Legends is designed. Riot has been clear for years that player-to-player trading won’t be added, mainly to prevent scams, protect accounts, and keep the game’s cosmetic economy straightforward. While gifting exists, it’s limited and doesn’t allow you to move skins you already own. For players chasing specific or no-longer-available skins, there are unofficial alternatives, but they come with risks and aren’t supported by Riot. Understanding these limits helps set the right expectations and keeps you safe while building your skin collection.