Riot Games reveals first full look at League of Legends Classic ahead of July launch

Riot Games has finally pulled back the curtain on League of Legends Classic. After announcing the mode just a few weeks ago, Riot has now revealed its biggest features, including the launch champion roster, returning systems, and brand-new progression.

League of Legends Classic releases on July 29 with Patch 26.15, bringing players back to an experience inspired by League's early years. Riot describes the mode as a collection of the game's "greatest hits," built around Season 3 instead of recreating one exact patch. Players will return to the original Summoner's Rift and will get to play with retired items, old runes' systems and masteries, and more.

For those unfamiliar with 2013's League, combat will be slower, champions will have clearer strengths and weaknesses, and players will need to think more carefully about each fight — as Riot also mentioned.

As previously announced, League Classic launches with the original 40 champions from League alongside 20 additional champions released between 2009 and 2013. Riot confirmed that more champions will join League Classic over time, although the roster will not expand to include every champion from the live game. Players who already own these champions will automatically have access to them in Classic, while everyone else can unlock them through gameplay or purchase them from the shop.

League Classic also introduces its own progression system where players will earn Classic Levels by playing matches to unlock runes, rune pages, masteries, Blue Essence, and classic cosmetics. After reaching Classic Level 10, they will begin Summoner's Journey, progressing from "Salt" to "Legend" through a long-term progression system designed specifically for the game mode.

And speaking of classic cosmetics, Riot is also adding a new collection of cosmetics designed specifically for League Classic. Classic Skins recreate how champions looked between 2009 and 2013, while Classic Chromas and Portraits give players even more nostalgic customization options. Existing skins will also be supported over time, and every champion's base model has received old-school ink outlines, with some champions also getting updated visual effects and animations to better match their classic kits.

To decide what else to add to League Classic, Riot has also announced The Council, a community voting system that will help "shape the future" of the game. Meaning Riot plans to support the game mode with regular balance updates, although those changes will still need to preserve the unique identity of Classic.

ARAM: Mayhem Classic-ish is also coming to the client as a limited-time version of ARAM featuring a Classic-inspired map, classic items, and Classic-themed Augments. Only the 60 champions available in League Classic will be playable in the mode, although they will use their modern versions instead of their Classic kits.

With the full reveal now complete, players have a much clearer idea of what League Classic will offer when it launches on July 29, but in case you want to read more about it, check out our article below.