2025 was a big year for League of Legends with themed seasons and maps, as well as a bunch of new objectives. However, with the curtain soon to be closed on this season, players can begin to look forward to the usual slew of changes arriving in 2026 for League of Legends.
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While last year kicked off with a Noxus theme, 2026 will open with their rivals, Demacia, taking center stage. In terms of gameplay, summoners can expect fewer objectives, improvements to split pushing, and for each role to feel more unique and powerful in their own ways. There are also improvements to ranked queues, hopefully making for more enjoyable climbs in the new year.
Instead of arriving in 2026, WASD controls will be available outside of ranked queues in Patch 25.24, arriving on December 3rd, 2025.
The Removal Of Atakhan & Feats Of Strength
This Should Alleviate Objective Fatigue
Atakhan and Feats of Strength were two additional objectives introduced for the 2025 season, but they will not be returning in 2026. On top of the existing Summoner's Rift objectives, there were too many, burning players out with a never-ending to-do list.
Their removal means that Baron's spawn time will be pushed back to the 20-minute mark, and first blood and first tower will once again reward 100 and 300 gold, respectively. Games will even kick into action sooner, with minions and monsters spawning 35 seconds earlier. With fewer neutral objectives, split pushing should become more viable, especially with the help of other additions seen below.
Split Pushing Improvements
Permanent Turret Plates Everywhere, Crystaline Overgrowth, & Improved Homeguards
Alongside the removal of neutral objectives, split pushers should have a better time in 2026. First up is the Crystaline Overgrowth mechanic, which will work similarly to Demolish (which has been reworked into a 3-hit passive). Over time, this builds up on towers, so when a split pusher reaches the turret, they can hit it for a burst of damage, rewarding their effort.
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Speaking of reaching towers to split push, Homeguards will now last until players reach their outer turret, or in later stages of the game, until they reach the furthest pushed allied minion. Additionally, Turret Plates will no longer disappear after 14 minutes, while also being added to inner and inhibitor turrets. This means that even short split pushing forays will be rewarded, rather than having to take down an entire tower. There are also changes to minion waves, the later the game goes, impacting split pushers.
Quests For Top, Mid, & Bot
These Will Grant Unique Role Rewards, Similar To What Junglers & Supports Have
Junglers and Supports in League already have role quests and rewards tied to their starter items. In 2026, however, all roles will have quests, hopefully allowing for more agency from Top Laners and Bot Laners, who often struggle to impact the outcome of games, even when ahead.
For these laners, quests will be completed by playing as normal, with kills on minions, champions, plates, turrets, and epic-tier objectives all contributing. The rewards are as follows:
- Top Lane: A free or enhanced version of Teleport, bonus xp, increased xp gains & a new level cap of 20.
- Jungle: Increased xp and gold gains from epic monsters & movement speed in the jungle.
- Mid Lane: Tier 3 boot upgrades (similar to Feats) & a 4-second recall, with a cooldown.
- Bot Lane: Bonus gold, increased gold gains, & seventh item slot for boots.
- Support: Discounted Control Wards with a slot for them & increased passive gold income.
New & Returning Items
Hextech Gunblade & Stormrazor Are Back Alongside 9 New Items
Most years see the introduction of new items, and 2026 will be no different. First of all, Hextech Gunblade, granting both AD and AP, will be returning, alongside Stormrazor, which provides AD, Crit, Attack Speed, and an Energized burst of damage and speed.
The 9 new items are yet to be properly named and will undoubtedly undergo a few tweaks before their release, but most aim to provide more niche sub-classes of champions with tools to thrive. For example, there is a new Tear item for enchanters who struggle with mana, an ADC item that rewards kiting at a distance, and a Sheen item for AP fighters, such as Diana and Gwen.
Vision Changes
Faelights Are Premier Warding Spots That Grant Bonus Vision
Vision control may not be the most exciting aspect of the game to most players, but it's certainly important. While Supports in particular need to know how to ward, the introduction of Faelights should help others and beginners learn the best warding spots.
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When a ward is placed in a predetermined Faelight location, it will grant bonus vision beyond its usual range. Yellow Trinket wards will also be available more often, while additional Scryer's Blooms can help spot wards.
Ranked Improvements
Autofill Rewards, Harsher Dodging Penalties, & Faster Lobbies
To improve the ranked experience in League of Legends, 2026 will see the introduction of the Aegis of Valor, which protects autofilled players from LP losses or grants them double LP for wins, as long as they achieve a C rating or higher. Those who play less popular roles, such as Support, will also gain Aegis of Valor occasionally as a reward. Games will also be more likely to have opposing autofilled players in matching roles.
Dodging an autofill game will also no longer reset it, so it's best to just play. At Master tier and above, dodges in the lobby also count as a full loss, so hopefully, games will be more likely to go ahead. The pick and ban stage should also be quicker, thanks to a reduction in animations, saving around 30 seconds. That's also 30 fewer seconds for someone to dodge. Duo queue has also been re-enabled for those at high ranks.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 90%
- Released
- October 27, 2009
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
- Developer(s)
- Riot Games
- Publisher(s)
- Riot Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- MOBA
