League of Legends: What is the 5v5 Ranked Mode?

On May 27, Riot Games officially announced in a DevBlog the return of Ranked 5s to League of Legends, marking the comeback of one of the game’s most requested competitive formats after its original removal back in 2016. The queue allows players to form full teams of five and compete in a structured ranked environment against other premade teams of five players.

The return of the mode is not a simple revival of a legacy queue. Instead, Riot is reintroducing the mode with a modern structure, updated rules, and a clear emphasis on coordinated team play. Described by Riot as an “old experimental ranked queue” being brought back to life, Ranked 5s will run during specific time windows on weekends, from June 26 to September 6. The queue will be open during the following hours:

This limited schedule is a deliberate choice. According to Riot, restricting the queue to peak times helps ensure better matchmaking quality and reduces queue times, two of the biggest issues that affected the mode in the past.

Back when Ranked 5s was available full-time, the system often struggled to find teams of similar skill levels. This resulted in unbalanced matches and, ultimately, a decline in player interest. By concentrating activity into shorter, more active periods, Riot aims to create a more consistent and competitive environment.

The return of Ranked 5s reflects Riot’s intent to highlight structured team play, offering a different experience from Solo/Duo queue, which remains the game’s most popular format. Unlike Flex queue, where players do not always face full premade teams, Ranked 5s guarantees five-versus-five matchups. This creates a more competitive environment centered on communication, coordination, and team strategy.

At the same time, Riot is making the mode easier to access. Teams are not locked into fixed rosters, allowing players to queue with different groups without long-term commitments. Rank restrictions have also been removed, meaning players of any rank can play together freely.

Ranked 5s is designed to sit between casual ranked experiences and fully structured competitive environments. It offers a more serious and team-oriented alternative to Flex queue, while remaining far more flexible than amateur or professional team systems.

Rather than relying on nostalgia alone, Riot is positioning the queue as a practical solution for players looking to experience true five-player League of Legends without heavy organizational constraints.

With its limited-time format and updated design, Ranked 5s could reshape how players approach competitive play. Its success over the summer may ultimately determine whether it earns a permanent place in the game. For now, the focus shifts to late June, when teams will once again be able to queue up and test themselves in a fully coordinated setting.