Riot Games has officially announced League of Legends Classic, a new version of its flagship MOBA designed to recreate the feel of the game's early seasons. Launching on July 29 alongside Patch 26.15, Classic will feature the original Summoner's Rift map, a starting roster of 60 champions, and the item, rune, and mastery systems that defined League's first several years.
The announcement, detailed in a developer update posted to the League of Legends website, describes Classic as a "greatest hits" experience spanning the MOBA's early years rather than a strict recreation of a single patch. Combat pacing is tuned to match the slower, more deliberate style of earlier seasons, and champions have sharper strengths and weaknesses that reward strategic decision-making over the mobility-heavy gameplay that has come to define modern League.
Classic launches with 60 champions, including the original 40 plus 20 additional characters released between 2009 and 2013. Each champion's base model has been updated with old-school inking outlines, and some have received visual, animation, and sound adjustments to match their classic ability kits. Players who already own these champions in the modern game will have immediate access to them in Classic.
The returning item and progression systems include the original Runes and Masteries, though Riot has simplified the unlock process. Players will earn runes and mastery pages through gameplay and by increasing their Classic Level, a one-time progression system. Default rune and mastery pages are provided from the start to ensure an even playing field while players unlock additional options.
Riot emphasized that Classic is not meant to be a one-to-one recreation. Executive producer Paul Bellezza said in the announcement that the team wants Classic to "scratch that itch while still bringing something new to the table" for returning players. "Whether you've been here since the beginning or you're coming back after years away, we want this to feel like home," he added.
At launch, Classic will support a single PvP draft queue, Co-op vs AI, and custom games. The developer plans to add more champions over time, though not every champion from the modern roster will be included. Riot has also introduced The Council, a community voting system that will let players influence future decisions such as champion additions, classic skins, and gameplay changes.
Modern infrastructure improvements are also baked in, including updated matchmaking, server performance, spell buffering, and optional WASD controls. Classic Skins, which bring back the visual look of champions from the 2009 to 2013 era, will be available through Seasonal Classic Passes.
The announcement comes at a time when nostalgia-driven reboots and classic modes have become a significant trend in online gaming. WoW Classic, Old School RuneScape, and similar projects have demonstrated strong demand for preserving older versions of live service games. League of Legends Classic represents Riot's largest initiative in this space, and its success could shape how the studio approaches the game's long-term legacy.
