A Total League of Legends Revamp Arrives in 2027 — Riot

Key Takeaways:

• Riot Games confirms a major overhaul for League of Legends scheduled for 2027.
• The studio denies a "League 2" reboot but promises a new around-game client, Summoner's Rift visual overhaul, and rune changes.
• More details will arrive between MSI and Worlds 2026; release likely during the competitive offseason (late Nov–early Jan).

What Riot actually announced

Riot Games told players it is working on a massive update for League of Legends that will land in 2027. Executive producer Paul Belleza denied persistent "League 2" rumors while confirming a large-scale revamp is in progress.

Andrei van Roon, Head of League Studio, outlined early priorities: a brand-new around-game client fully integrated with the in-game experience, a full visual overhaul of Summoner's Rift, changes to Runes, and broad improvements to player experience.

The studio frames the update as comparable in scale to the mid-2010s graphics rework, aiming both to modernize the game and to attract new players.

What’s included in the revamp

Riot’s roadmap items are focused on interface, visuals, and systems. The around-game client will merge pre-game and in-game flows to reduce friction and create a more unified experience.

Summoner's Rift will receive a full visual refresh, not just incremental polish. Runes are slated for revision, suggesting systemic gameplay adjustments rather than purely cosmetic changes.

Belleza and van Roon said they will share more concrete details between MSI (mid-season invitational) in summer 2026 and Worlds in fall 2026.

Why Riot isn’t calling this "League 2"

Riot pushed back on leaks and outside reporting that suggested a sequel. The studio positions the work as an extensive evolution of League of Legends, not a separate title.

That distinction matters for competitive continuity, account progression, and long-term support for esports ecosystems like LoL Worlds and regional leagues.

Timing and competitive calendar

The likely release window for such a sweeping update is during the competitive offseason—late November through early January—when pro play is on break. That timing minimizes disruption to the esports calendar.

Riot indicated fans should expect incremental communication through 2026, with headline features and schedules clearer after MSI and Worlds.

Why it matters to players and esports

A unified client and Rift overhaul could change how players discover matches, interact socially, and consume content. Rune changes and systemic updates will affect balance, champion viability, and pro strategies.

Riot faces the dual challenge of modernizing visuals and UX while preserving the competitive integrity and mechanical depth that define League of Legends.

Next milestones

Watch Riot's updates around MSI 2026 and Worlds 2026 for feature reveals and timelines. Fans can expect more specifics on rollout plans and testing before the 2027 launch.