League of Legends Classic: Release Date, Champions, Runes and Everything You Need to Know

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League of Legends Classic is now live, bringing back champions, items, runes, masteries, and gameplay systems inspired by the game's early years. Released alongside Patch 26.15 on July 29, the mode is Riot Games' take on classic League rather than a direct recreation of any single historical patch. Here's what players need to know about its roster, gameplay, progression system, and future updates.

Classic is built around many of the elements longtime League players associate with the game's earlier years. These include the old Summoner's Rift, Runes and Masteries, classic items and champion kits, and a slower combat style that places greater emphasis on positioning and decision-making. 

League of Legends Classic is not designed as a one-to-one recreation of a specific point in the game's history. Instead, Riot used Season 3 as its main reference point while bringing back selected champions, items, Summoner Spells, Runes, Masteries, and other mechanics from across League's earlier years. The result is meant to appeal both to longtime players returning for the nostalgia and to those interested in watching League of Legends played with many of its classic systems restored. 

When Did League of Legends Classic Launch?

League of Legends Classic launched on July 29 as part of Patch 26.15. At launch, the mode featured a single PvP Draft queue, Co-op vs. AI, and custom games. Rather than introducing a traditional Ranked ladder, Riot designed Classic primarily as a mode for players to enjoy with friends, with a separate progression system providing longer-term goals. 

Classic also uses a positional preference system instead of bringing back the old race to call roles in champion select. Players rank their preferred positions before entering the queue, with matchmaking prioritizing their preferred roles while balancing queue times. For players looking to get familiar with League of Legends Classic gameplay before jumping in themselves, watching experienced League creators can also be useful — BaianoTV on Kick, for example, offers another way to follow League of Legends gameplay and see how experienced players approach the game.  

What is League of Legends Classic?

League Classic uses Season 3 as its main reference point but draws from several periods of early League rather than reproducing one patch exactly. The mode brings back classic Summoner Spells, items, Runes and Masteries, pre-rework champion kits, and other mechanics associated with the game's first several years. Riot describes the result as a “greatest hits” version of early League.

Combat in Classic is deliberately slower and more punishing than in modern League. Champions generally have more clearly defined strengths and weaknesses, while missiles and dashes are slower and crowd control is more prominent. Abilities also tend to cost more resources while dealing more damage, making decisions about when to engage more consequential. And, as Riot has repeatedly emphasized, Yasuo is not part of the Classic roster. 

Classic also brings back an early version of Summoner's Rift, including Wraiths and older jungle camp setups. Riot has made targeted improvements to lighting, shadows, and textures, however, to improve visual clarity without fundamentally changing the classic map. 

Champions Available in League Classic

League Classic launched with 60 champions: the original 40 League champions plus 20 additional characters released between 2009 and 2013. Players who already own an available champion can use them in Classic immediately; otherwise, champions can be unlocked through Classic Levels or purchased through the Shop. 

At launch, League Classic featured the following 60 champions: Ahri, Jax, Rammus, Alistar, Karthus, Ryze, Amumu, Kassadin, Shaco, Anivia, Katarina, Singed, Annie, Kayle, Sion, Ashe, Kog’Maw, Sivir, Blitzcrank, Lee Sin, Skarner, Brand, Leona, Sona, Cho’Gath, Lulu, Soraka, Corki, Lux, Taric, Dr. Mundo, Malphite, Teemo, Evelynn, Malzahar, Tristana, Ezreal, Master Yi, Tryndamere, Fiddlesticks, Miss Fortune, Twisted Fate, Gangplank, Morgana, Twitch, Garen, Nasus, Vayne, Gragas, Nidalee, Veigar, Heimerdinger, Nunu & Willump, Warwick, Janna, Olaf, Wukong, Jarvan IV, Pantheon and Zilean.

Since launch, Riot has expanded the roster with Akali, Kennen, and Shen in Patch 26.16.

Classic Items, Runes and Masteries in League Classic 

Classic brings back almost every item that appeared during League's first few years, allowing old builds such as Atmogs and the full Metagolem setup to return. Players can even recreate strategies built around stacking multiple Gold per 10 items, alongside familiar items such as Atma's Impaler and Frozen Mallet. 

Runes and Masteries also return in Classic, but Riot has simplified their progression. Players unlock them simply by playing rather than purchasing and upgrading individual Runes, and all available Runes use the old Tier 3 versions as their baseline. Players receive three Rune Pages initially, with two more available through Classic Levels, while additional pages can be purchased with Influence Points. 

How Progression Works in League Classic

Classic Levels are a free, one-time progression track available to every player. Simply playing Classic grants progression, with rewards including Runes, Masteries, Influence Points, Blue Essence, cosmetics, and access to additional systems such as Summoner's Journey. 

Summoner's Journey unlocks at Classic Level 10. Players begin at Salt and can progress through the system all the way to Legend. Riot expects only a single-digit percentage of players to reach the highest tier, giving dedicated Classic players a long-term achievement to pursue without introducing a conventional Ranked ladder. 

What's Next for League Classic?

Riot plans to involve the community in the future development of Classic through The Council, an in-game voting system. Players can unlock access through Classic Levels and gain additional voting power by playing more. Council votes can help shape decisions such as which champions are added next, which Classic skins Riot develops, and potential gameplay changes, while Riot retains control over balance and overall game health.