League of Legends Classic to Shut Down in January After Just Five Months
Riot Games is ending League Classic's current run as players return to modern League, but a future comeback is still possible.
Just three months after its launch, League of Legends Classic is already on its way out. Riot Games has confirmed that the nostalgic game mode will end its current run on January 6, 2027, a little over five months after it launched on July 29.
In an October 14 developer update, Riot explained that while plenty of players enjoyed revisiting the game's early days, most have since returned to modern League of Legends.
The decision brings an early end to a mode that recreated the old Summoner's Rift, classic champions, items, runes, and masteries. But Riot isn't closing the door on Classic entirely.
Why Is League Classic Shutting Down?
The main issue is player retention. Classic drew interest when it launched, but that excitement hasn't translated into a lasting player base.
Riot acknowledged that declining participation has made matchmaking difficult in some regions, with longer queue times and larger skill gaps between players.
The announcement has also sparked frustration among fans. On Reddit, players have criticized the lack of a ranked mode, the gradual rollout of classic champions, and the need to unlock old systems like runes and rune pages again.
Others feel the outcome was predictable. The old version of League might be fun to revisit, but that doesn't necessarily mean players want to stick with it every day.
What Happens Before League Classic Closes?
Classic isn't disappearing immediately. Riot still has several updates planned before January.
Starting with Patch 26.21, scheduled for October 21:
- Matchmaking restrictions: Regions including Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Oceania will move to scheduled queue hours. Japan and the Middle East will be limited to custom matches.
- Free Battle Pass: The Act II Classic Battle Pass will have a free reward track only.
- Purchase refunds: Eligible Classic-exclusive cosmetics will receive RP refunds, with many automatic refunds expected by November 30. Some purchases may qualify for refunds to the original payment method through Player Support.
- More champions: Mordekaiser, Yorick, Hecarim, and Lucian are coming in Patch 26.21, with additional champions planned through Patch 26.23.
Custom matches will remain available in all regions during the rest of Classic's run. Players can check Riot's support page for regional availability and its refund guide for purchase details.
Will League of Legends Classic Return?
Possibly. Riot says it hopes to bring Classic back in the future, likely as a limited-time event with changes and additional content.
The developers also plan to share what they learned from this first run, including which parts of the original experience worked and which may have been better left in the past.
For now, there's no confirmed return date.
Editor's Comment
It's disappointing to see Classic leave so soon, especially when some of the champions players were waiting for are only just arriving.
But maybe Classic works better as something you return to occasionally rather than a mode you play year-round. Nostalgia can get people through the door. Keeping them around is the harder part.
