League of Legends Classic Mode Arrives in July as a Curated Trip Through the Game's History

Riot Games officially revealed "League Classic" during the 2026 MSI Finals, a new mode that will launch as part of Patch 26.15. The release date is set for July 29 according to Polygon and PC Gamer, while Inven Global reports July 30. The mode will be a free update integrated into the existing Riot Client at no additional cost, as Polygon noted.

3 sources

Inven GlobalA Blast from the Past! 'League Classic,' Revealed at MSI Finals, Launches July 30polygonLeague of Legends Classic mode launches July 29 as free updatePC GamerLeague 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

Rather than a strict rollback to the original 2009 version, Riot has described League Classic as a curated collection. Polygon reported that it is a "greatest hits" mode combining classic features from the game's history into a single experience. An exhibition match was played during the MSI Finals to showcase the mode's early-League ruleset.

"It's a blend of eras, but fan favorite builds are back."

PC Gamer added that players will be able to vote on new patches for the mode, similar to the system used in Old School RuneScape. This community-driven approach sets League Classic apart from a simple nostalgia server, as Riot aims to let players shape which versions of champions and items return.

Inven Global noted that the mode was dubbed "League Classic" on stage at the MSI Finals, marking the first public unveiling. The showmatch used a curated build that mixed elements from early League seasons, according to gameloop.gg, which clarified it was not a complete 2009 rollback but a "curated early-League ruleset."

gameloop.ggLeague of Legends Classic Release Date and MSI Showmatch Build Explained