League of Legends’ ‘classic’ mode has a release date, and it isn’t just an old version of the game—players will vote on new patches, Old School RuneScape-style
Riot Games has officially announced League of Legends Classic, a new game mode that blends champion kits and gameplay elements from different eras of the game, with a heavy emphasis on Season 3. The mode will release for free on July 29, 2026, as part of Patch 26.15 and will be integrated directly into the existing League of Legends client, requiring no separate download.
Unlike a complete reversion to the game’s original 1.0 release, League of Legends Classic curates content from across the game’s history. Classic champion kits have been restored, while some visual assets have been modernized to maintain quality standards. Notably, modern quality-of-life features like ward trinkets have been included alongside the legacy gameplay, creating what Riot describes as a “Frankenstein’s monster” of different eras.
The mode was unveiled during the MSI 2026 Finals, where professional players including Doublelift and Cpt Jack competed in an exhibition match showcasing the new mode. Executive Producer Paul Bellezza elaborated on the project during the event, revealing that the concept originated during one of Riot’s internal “Thunderdome” innovation sessions.
Riot has taken inspiration from Old School RuneScape’s approach to community-driven updates, planning to implement a player voting system where the community can vote on future patches for League of Legends Classic. This represents a unique collaborative approach between developers and players in shaping the mode’s evolution over time.