League Next: Riot Games officially confirms a major League of Legends overhaul in 2027

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After years of speculation, Riot Games has finally spoken out about the future of its globally popular MOBA. Rather than launching a standalone sequel, League Next is positioned as a long-term strategy to keep League of Legends thriving for years to come. With more than 100 million monthly players, this marks the biggest overhaul the game has seen since its original release.

League Next is not “League of Legends 2”
League Next is not “League of Legends 2”

1. League Next is not “League of Legends 2”

In a newly released strategic overview video, executive producer Paul Belleza officially shut down rumors about a separate game called “League of Legends 2.” According to him, Riot Games has no plans to split League of Legends into a new title.

Instead, the development team has chosen to upgrade the existing game directly, ensuring continuity for the player community — especially for the esports ecosystem that has been carefully built and sustained for more than a decade.

2. “Game-changing” upgrades coming with the League Next project

League Next is far more than a regular content update. It represents a comprehensive transformation, from core technology to player experience:

  • A completely new client: League Studio head Andrei van Roon confirmed that a brand-new client is being rebuilt from the ground up. This new client will be tightly integrated with the in-game engine, addressing long-standing performance issues and laying the foundation for future features.
  • Summoner’s Rift visual overhaul: One of League of Legends’ most iconic elements will receive a major graphical upgrade. Riot aims to deliver modern visual quality by 2027 while preserving the familiar layout, strategy, and feel that players know and love.
  • Gameplay and rune system improvements: Core systems, including Runes, are being reviewed and adjusted to make the game more accessible to new players, without sacrificing the strategic depth valued by veteran fans.
“League Next will have an impact on par with — or even greater than — the massive visual overhaul in the mid-2010s, which helped propel League of Legends to global success,” a Riot Games representative shared.

3. How League Next will impact the esports ecosystem

Riot Games emphasized that League Next is being rolled out carefully to avoid disrupting professional competition. More detailed information is expected to be revealed gradually between MSI 2026 and the League of Legends World Championship (Worlds) 2026.

The projected release window falls between late November 2026 and early January 2027, aligning with the offseason period. This timing gives professional players adequate time to adapt to major changes in visuals, the client, and gameplay before the next competitive season begins.

4. Why Riot Games is moving forward with League Next now

After more than a decade of development, League of Legends has reached a mature stage in its lifecycle. In an increasingly competitive online gaming market, upgrading visuals, modernizing technology, and improving player experience are essential. League Next is not just a major update — it represents Riot Games’ long-term commitment to the League of Legends community.