Riot cancels League of Legends Classic
Riot Games is making some big shifts in the League of Legends ecosystem, announcing the winding down of the beloved League of Legends Classic mode. While this news might feel like a curtain closing on a classic chapter, the move is part of a larger strategic evolution for the studio, focusing on future content and player experience.
The decision was made to phase out support for Classic early next year, though players will still be able to enjoy it through the remainder of Season 3. The mode is scheduled to officially end in January 2027, allowing the community to savor its final run.
Riot’s explanation centers on player behavior. The studio noted that while many players enjoyed revisiting the older version of the game, the majority have since returned to the modern League of Legends experience. Consequently, the Classic mode will be placed in storage, with plans to bring it back later, likely as an event mode incorporating new adjustments and additions.
To facilitate a smoother experience moving forward, Riot is addressing issues related to matchmaking and player population. In regions where the Classic player base has significantly declined, the studio will introduce windowed queues. This change aims to mitigate long matchmaking times and large MMR gaps for players.
Even as the Classic mode is stepping down, Riot remains committed to keeping the content alive. They will continue releasing champions for Classic through patch 26.23, including major additions like Irelia, Karma, Quinn, Aatrox, Caitlyn, Mordekaiser, Yorick, Hecarim, Lucian, Volibear, Urgot, and Udyr.
Furthermore, the store experience for Classic is also being streamlined. Starting with patch 26.21, the Classic store will focus exclusively on core elements, offering only Champions, Runes, and Rune Pages.
This strategic scaling back reflects a broader trend within Riot Games. The company has recently made significant adjustments, including canceling its fighting game 2XKO, placing Legends of Runeterra into maintenance mode, and divesting assets like Hypixel Studios and the long-delayed Hytale project. These actions suggest a concerted effort to focus resources as the gaming industry navigates a period of contraction.
Ultimately, the story of League of Legends Classic is one of evolution—a mode that served its purpose and now transitions into a foundation for future, potentially more dynamic, gameplay experiences within the broader League of Legends universe.
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