Complete League of Legends Patch Schedule for 2026

League of Legends has been around for years, but it stays fresh thanks to Riot Games’ steady flow of patches. Every update brings a mix of balance changes, bug fixes, system tweaks, and new content that keeps the game evolving for both casual and competitive players. These patches are where champions get buffed or nerfed, items are adjusted, and new features or skins often make their debut. Riot sticks to a fairly predictable patch cadence across the year, which makes it easier to know when big changes are coming and plan ahead for ranked, events, or new releases. In this guide, you’ll find the full League of Legends patch schedule for 2026, with clear patch numbers and release dates so you know exactly what to expect and when.

Full LoL Patch Schedule for 2026

Riot Games follows a consistent update cycle for League of Legends, releasing new patches roughly every two weeks throughout the year. These updates are essential for balance changes, bug fixes, new skins, system improvements, and seasonal content. While the standard gap between patches is 14 days, some updates may shift slightly due to holidays or major in-game events. For 2026, Riot has planned a full lineup of 24 patches, starting in January and ending in December. Below is the complete League of Legends patch schedule for 2026 with confirmed release dates.

League of Legends Patch 26.01 is scheduled to release on January 8, 2026 (Thursday).
League of Legends Patch 26.02 will go live on January 22, 2026 (Thursday).
League of Legends Patch 26.03 is set for February 4, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.04 arrives on February 19, 2026 (Thursday).
League of Legends Patch 26.05 releases on March 4, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.06 goes live on March 18, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.07 is scheduled for April 1, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.08 arrives on April 15, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.09 releases on April 29, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.10 is set for May 13, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.11 goes live on May 28, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.12 releases on June 10, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.13 arrives on June 24, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.14 is scheduled for July 15, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.15 goes live on July 29, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.16 releases on August 12, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.17 arrives on August 26, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.18 is set for September 10, 2026 (Thursday).
League of Legends Patch 26.19 goes live on September 23, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.20 releases on October 7, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.21 arrives on October 21, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.22 is scheduled for November 4, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.23 goes live on November 18, 2026.
League of Legends Patch 26.24, the final patch of the year, is planned for December 9, 2026.

Most League of Legends patches typically deploy during early morning hours depending on your region. Major gameplay updates, ranked season changes, events, and new skin lines are often tied to specific patches, so keeping track of this schedule helps players stay prepared throughout the entire 2026 season.

League of Legends Patch Update Sizes

League of Legends patch download sizes aren’t always the same and can change from update to update based on what Riot Games ships in that patch. Smaller, routine updates usually focus on champion balance tweaks, bug fixes, and light system tuning. These patches are fairly quick to download and normally sit somewhere around a few hundred megabytes, making them easy to install even on slower connections.

Bigger updates take more space. When a patch introduces new champions, large skin batches, visual upgrades, or major gameplay changes, the download size increases noticeably. These larger patches can climb close to a gigabyte or more, especially during mid-season refreshes or preseason updates, where multiple systems are adjusted at once. If you’re short on storage or bandwidth, it’s a good idea to check for available space before patch day so the update installs smoothly.

FAQs

How often does League of Legends get patched?

League of Legends usually receives a new patch about every two weeks. Riot sticks closely to this rhythm, with small shifts only around holidays or special events.

What time do League of Legends patches go live?

Patches typically roll out early in the morning for each region. Servers may go down briefly for maintenance before the update becomes available.

Do all patches include balance changes?

Most patches include champion buffs and nerfs, item tweaks, and bug fixes. Some updates are smaller, while others focus on major systems, events, or new content.

Are patch dates ever delayed or changed?

Yes, patch dates can move slightly if Riot needs extra testing time or if a global event affects the schedule. When this happens, Riot usually announces changes ahead of time.

Conclusion

The League of Legends patch schedule for 2026 gives players a clear view of when balance changes, new content, and system updates will arrive throughout the year. With patches landing roughly every two weeks, it’s easier to plan ranked grinds, champion practice, and major gameplay shifts ahead of time. Whether you’re waiting for buffs, nerfs, events, or larger seasonal updates, knowing the full patch timeline helps you stay prepared and competitive. As always, it’s smart to keep an eye on official Riot announcements in case small date adjustments happen, but this schedule provides a reliable roadmap for the entire 2026 season.