Riot Games Confirms Only One Champion Will Be Released in League of Legends in 2026

Riot Games confirmed on Monday, through a post by its Head of League Studio, Riot Meddler, that only a single new champion will be released this year in League of Legends. That champion is expected to be Locke, a character from Demacia scheduled to arrive around mid-year, during the second season.

With 172 playable champions currently available in the game, this would mark the first time that so few have been developed within a single year. Traditionally, three to four champions are introduced annually; this apparent slowdown suggests that Riot Games is temporarily scaling back champion production to focus on other initiatives.

Following the latest Dev Update released on Monday, which addressed a wide range of topics, Riot Meddler answered questions from players on Reddit. When asked about upcoming champion releases this season, he confirmed that only one is planned. “Most of the team that normally make new champs are helping out with the large update that we'll talk about post MSI or so.” The champion in question is widely believed to be Locke, whose identity was reportedly leaked several weeks ago and who is expected to be either an AP assassin or an AP bruiser designed primarily for the midlane.

In 2025, Riot Games released three new champions, matching the total from 2024. Each of those champions was tied to one of the three seasonal themes selected by the developer: Mel for the Noxus-focused season, Yunara for the Ionia-themed season, and Zaahen, the most recent addition, for the Darkin-centered season. Although Locke is associated with Demacia—and therefore with the current season—his release is slated for mid-year, potentially aligning him more closely with the following seasonal cycle.

The announcement has been met with mixed reactions. Some players expressed disappointment, having grown accustomed to a higher volume of new playable champions each year. Others, however, argue that the roster is already extensive and view the decision as a potentially constructive shift in priorities, allowing Riot Games to concentrate on broader improvements throughout the year.