Riot Games has announced that League of Legends Classic will end as a permanent game mode after Season 3 of 2026.
The throwback mode, which took the MOBA back to between Season 1 and Season 4, will end its current run on January 6, 2027.
This means the mode lasted for less than six months since its original release back on July 29, 2026.
However, Riot claims it hopes to bring the mode back, but only as a limited-time event.
Why is League Classic Being Shut Down?
Riot claims that while League Classic saw a lot of excitement, most have now returned to other parts of League.
So the publisher is ending the game mode with no return date in sight, but claims they’re aiming to bring it back, likely as an event mode, with adjustments and additions.
Additionally, Riot has announced that League Classic will now only be available in certain time windows in regions that had larger migrations to other game modes.
To avoid long queue times and MMR discrepancies in Classic, the following servers will only have Classic available at these set times:
| Regions | League Classic Server Times |
| Korea, Latin America North, Latin America South, Taiwan, Vietnam, Turkey, Southeast Asia, Oceania, Russia | Monday to Friday: 4PM Server – 12AM Server Sat to Sun: 10AM Server – 1AM Server |
| Japan, MENA | Custom Matches only |
Meanwhile, Japan and MENA will only be able to access the mode in custom matches from the start of LoL Patch 26.21.
However, Riot has promised that Classic will remain available in Custom Matches at all times, in all regions.
Before the game mode ends in January, Riot will also continue to update the game mode with new champions.
Irelia, Karma, Quinn, Aatrox, and Caitlyn were just added in 26.20, while Mordekaiser, Yorick, Hecarim, and Lucian will come in 26.21.
After that, Riot promises to release new champions every patch through 26.23, including Volibear, Urgot, and Udyr, the most-voted-for champions in the recent Council poll.
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League Classic Refunds
Riot Games has also announced it will issue refunds on Classic-specific content that will no longer be usable.
This includes Classic-only cosmetics in the Classic Portraits and Classic Chromas.
While Classic Chromas became bundled with skins, anyone who bought a Classic Chroma only will receive an RP refund.
On the other hand, Classic Portraits will be refunded based on how they were acquired:
- Purchased Directly at the Store – Receive the RP you spent on it by November 30, 2026.
- Included in the Paid Classic Pass Act I – Receive 200 RP by November 30, 2026 for each Classic Portrait acquired.
- Included in Classic Welcome Bundle – Receive 2000RP for the Resplendent Explorer Ezreal Portrait Classic Portrait by November 30, 2026.
Riot has also promised to refund RP for the Classic Annie (Founder’s Goth) and Classic Alistar (Founder’s Black) Chromas in the Legendary Welcome Bundle and Classic Welcome Bundle (purchasable directly or included in the League Classic Collector’s Box).
Additionally, the Act II Classic Battle Pass in 26.21 will combine both tracks into one free track only.
And from LoL Patch 26.21 onwards, the Classic store will only contain Champions, Runes, and Rune Pages.
What are your thoughts on this decision by Riot? Let us know on the Insider Gaming Discord.
In other news, K/DA’s long-awaited comeback has finally been confirmed for October. And for even more Insider Gaming delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
An esports journalist for nine years with a focus on LoL Jack has written for national newspapers, interviewed major names, and driven people mad with puns. He's most proud of…
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