League of Legends Classic: Release Date, Champions & More

League of Legends Classic is finally giving players a chance to return to one of the most iconic periods in the game’s history. Designed to recreate the feeling of early League of Legends, this upcoming mode is inspired by Season 3, a time many longtime players still remember as one of the game’s most nostalgic eras.

The idea behind League of Legends Classic has been requested by the community for years. According to League’s Executive Producer, Paul “Pabro” Bellezza, the mode started gaining real shape after becoming a prototype during Riot’s internal Thunderdome hackathon. Now, Riot is preparing to bring that old-school League experience back with classic gameplay elements, a familiar champion pool, and the original version of Summoner’s Rift.

League of Legends Classic is currently expected to launch on July 29 with Patch 26.15, giving players a new way to experience the game as it once was. From the release date and available champions to gameplay changes and map details, this article covers everything we know so far about League of Legends Classic.

What Is League of Legends Classic?

League of Legends Classic is a new game mode designed to bring back the feeling of older versions of League of Legends. The mode is mainly inspired by Season 3, but it may also include selected elements from both earlier and later stages of the game’s history.

During the MSI 2026 broadcast, Riot explained that League Classic is not meant to be a perfect copy of old League. Instead, the goal is to recreate the parts of the game that players remember most: the older pacing, classic champions, familiar items, and the nostalgic version of Summoner’s Rift that shaped League’s early competitive era.

The idea came from years of community requests asking Riot to bring back older League experiences, similar to how players have asked for modes like Twisted Treeline to return. Eventually, a group of Rioters built a Season 3-inspired prototype during Riot’s internal Thunderdome event, which later evolved into the League of Legends Classic project.

Rather than simply restoring an outdated version of the game, Riot seems focused on making League Classic feel authentic while still being enjoyable for modern players. This means some features may be adjusted, but the core identity will remain the same: a more nostalgic, old-school League of Legends experience built around the era many players still consider unforgettable.

When Is League of Legends Classic Releasing?

League of Legends Classic is set to release on July 29, 2026, alongside Patch 26.15. Riot has not presented League Classic as a separate game, so players should be able to access the mode directly through the regular League of Legends client once the patch goes live.

Before the official launch, Riot is also building hype with special showmatches featuring classic LCS rivalries. One of the confirmed events is LCS Classic: TSM vs. CLG, which is scheduled to be broadcast on July 24, 2026.

There will also be an EU LCS-themed showmatch, although Riot has not confirmed the participating teams yet. These showmatches are meant to celebrate the old-school League era and give players a preview of the nostalgic gameplay style coming with League Classic.

With the release date locked for Patch 26.15, longtime players will soon be able to revisit a version of League inspired by one of the game’s most memorable competitive periods.

What Patch Is League Classic Launching?

League of Legends Classic will launch with Patch 26.15, but that does not mean the mode is based on one exact old League patch. Instead, Riot is creating a version of the game inspired by the Season 3 era, bringing back older gameplay elements, classic champion kits, and systems that made early League feel different.

This means League Classic is not expected to be a perfect recreation of a single patch from the past. Rather than copying one specific version of the game exactly, Riot appears to be building a nostalgic experience that captures the overall feeling of old-school League of Legends.

Players can expect a mode that includes familiar Season 3-inspired features, such as older champion designs, a different gameplay pace, and classic systems like old runes. However, some details may still be adjusted so the mode feels better for modern players.

What Champions Are Available in League of Legends Classic?

League of Legends Classic will launch with 60 playable champions, including the original 40 champions from League’s 2009 release, along with a selection of later champions from the early years of the game. Riot has also confirmed that more champions will be added over time, rather than making the full Classic roster available on day one.

The champions in League Classic are expected to use their older gameplay versions, meaning some abilities, kits, and playstyles may feel very different from modern League of Legends. This is one of the biggest reasons longtime players are excited, as it brings back older champion designs that no longer exist in the current game.

Riot has also shown that champions will use classic base skins and older visual styles where possible. However, newer skins may still appear with updated models or modern visual effects, meaning League Classic will not be a completely untouched version of old League.

All Champions Confirmed for League of Legends Classic

League of Legends Classic will bring back the original group of champions that launched with the game in 2009. These first 40 champions are expected to be part of the mode from the beginning, giving players a chance to experience the foundation of early League of Legends again.

The original 40 champions confirmed for League Classic are:

Alistar, Amumu, Anivia, Annie, Ashe, Blitzcrank, Cho’Gath, Corki, Dr. Mundo, Evelynn, Fiddlesticks, Gangplank, Heimerdinger, Janna, Jax, Karthus, Kassadin, Katarina, Kayle, Malphite, Master Yi, Morgana, Nasus, Nunu, Rammus, Ryze, Shaco, Singed, Sion, Sivir, Soraka, Taric, Teemo, Tristana, Tryndamere, Twisted Fate, Twitch, Veigar, Warwick, and Zilean.

These champions represent the core of old-school League of Legends and should help recreate the gameplay style many players remember from the game’s early years. Since League Classic is inspired by older versions of League, several of these champions may feel very different from how they play today.

Riot has also confirmed that League Classic will include additional champions released after the original 2009 roster. Some of these champions have appeared in MSI 2026 showmatch footage, while others were reportedly hinted at through Tencent promotional material shared by SkinSpotlights.

The newer champions expected to appear in League Classic include:

Ahri, Akali, Caitlyn, Fiora, Gragas, Graves, Irelia, LeBlanc, Lee Sin, Lulu, Mordekaiser, Sona, Skarner, Urgot, and Vayne.

Conclusion

League of Legends Classic is shaping up to be one of the most exciting releases for longtime League players. Instead of simply copying one old patch, Riot is building a mode that brings back the feeling of early League, with Season 3-inspired gameplay, classic champion designs, old systems, and the original Summoner’s Rift experience.

With League Classic releasing on July 29, 2026, alongside Patch 26.15, players will soon be able to revisit a version of the game that many still remember as one of League’s most iconic eras. The launch roster of 60 champions, including the original 40 from 2009 and several early-era additions, should give players plenty of nostalgic picks to try from day one.

While Riot has not revealed every detail yet, League Classic already looks like a strong mix of nostalgia and modern accessibility. For older players, it is a chance to relive the League of Legends they grew up with. For newer players, it is an opportunity to understand what made early League so memorable in the first place.