League of Legends patch 26.3 launches with Firecracker 2026 skins and chaotic ARAM update

Patch 26.3 has officially arrived in League of Legends, marking the first major round of adjustments for the 2026 season. After closely monitoring player experience in the early weeks of the year, the development team has rolled out important changes to stabilize the game ecosystem while also bringing a festive atmosphere with a brand-new skin line.

Patch highlights: Firecracker 2026 skin line

The biggest highlight of this update is the launch of the Firecracker 2026 skin line. To celebrate the early-year festivities, these skins went live in the in-game store on February 4, 2026. With vibrant visuals and a strong festive theme, they are a great way for players to refresh the look of their favorite champions on the Rift.

Here are some previews of the Firecracker skins:

Gameplay and system balance changes

Based on early-season data, patch 26.3 focuses on three core pillars: item balance, rune adjustments, and vision system tweaks. These changes aim to keep the early game dynamic and competitive.

One of the most notable updates is a broad buff to AD junglers. This class has been underperforming compared to the overall meta of the new season. Instead of reworking core systems, the developers opted to directly boost stats to help these champions return to the jungle with more impact.

Major update for chaotic ARAM

Fans of Chaotic ARAM will find plenty of new content to explore. This version introduces a massive upgrade system and a completely new reward progression:

• Over 45 new upgrades: Adds more options for underrepresented champion classes, including item upgrades and activated summoner effects.
• Augment sets: A full system refresh that increases variety and creates countless wild combinations in every match.
• Chaos progression: A new progression track that rewards cosmetics such as emotes, icons, and banners to show your dedication to the Poro King.

Ranked updates and other content

For players climbing the ranked ladder, patch 26.3 introduces clearer rank progress indicators and adjusts the threshold for the Valiant Shield. At the same time, the Rise of Demacia event unlocks two additional chapters for players to conquer.

If you want to dive deeper into detailed champion and item statistics, visit the official information page at leagueoflegends.com. And if you are interested in changes to the auto-battler mode, be sure to check out the latest updates for Teamfight Tactics.

Good luck on your ranked climb and enjoy the festive atmosphere with the Firecracker 2026 skins!