Official Games Press Release
Riot Games Press July 14, 2026 League Classic brief. Patch 26.15 launch, Classic Levels, Summoner's Journey, 60 champions, The Council, and Paul Bellezza quote.
July 14 Official Press Brief
Riot's July 14, 2026 Games Press release formalized League Classic for media alongside the dev blog on July Dev Blog and Dev Update video on Dev Update Video. The brief confirms Patch 26.15 global launch July 29 at 8:00 AM PT—a permanent new mode inside the existing League client recreating early-era gameplay with modernized select systems.
Executive Producer Paul Bellezza quoted: "League Classic is personal for us. You've been asking for this for years… We're not going for a one-to-one recreation. We want League Classic to scratch that itch while still bringing something new to the table." Full design context on overview.
Queues, Classic Levels, and Summoner's Journey
Launch queues: single PvP Classic Draft, Co-op vs AI, and custom games—detailed on Game Modes & Queues. Classic Levels are a free one-time progression track earning Runes, Masteries, IP, BE, and cosmetics through gameplay. Upon reaching Classic Level 10, players begin Summoner's Journey ranks from Salt to Legend on Summoner's Journey.
Default rune pages and masteries ship from the start for an even playing field while players unlock deeper customization via Classic Level progression on Classic Levels—faster than original 2009 pacing per Riot's modernization goals.
60 Champions and Visual Updates
Launch roster: 60 champions—the original 40 plus 20 handpicked 2009–2013 releases. Full alphabetical list on Champion Roster with ChampionGrid filtering. Owned champions transfer from live League; others unlock via Classic Level or shop IP per IP & Currency.
Each champion base model received old-school inking outlines. Some champions also received VFX, animation, and sound updates matching Classic kits. Note: mid-July PBE feedback made Classic Skins free defaults—superseding initial press brief token language. See PBE Feedback Updates and FeralPony July 17 Response.
Classic Pass, Portraits, and The Council
Seasonal Classic Passes offer free and paid tracks with IP, BE, rune pages, emotes, titles, Classic Skins, and Portraits—alternate-styled loading screen splashes rotating in champion select on Portraits & Chromas. Classic Skins, Chromas, and Portraits are Classic-mode-only cosmetics.
The Council community voting system launches with Classic—players gain access through Classic Level and unlock additional voting power through gameplay. Council influences champion additions, Classic skin priorities, and select gameplay changes while Riot retains balance ownership on How Voting Works.