Nostalgia didn't save League of Legends Classic - Riot will refund money and close the mode six months after release

The Classic format may be brought back in the future.

The free-to-play MOBA game League of Legends has been on the market for many years. Over the past years, developers have revamped the map and revised gameplay mechanics. Some players wanted to return to the "old LoL" and this summer, such an opportunity arose.

Then Riot Games released an update that added the Classic mode to League of Legends. The mode attracted a certain audience, but nostalgia was not enough to form a stable Classic community. Players tried this version, and then returned to the regular modes.

As a result, Riot Games decided to close League of Legends Classic — it will be disabled in January 2027, meaning it will exist for six months:

The creators of League of Legends clarified that they plan to bring Classic back in the future, "most likely as an event mode, with changes and innovations."

Developers promise to refund money for Classic content that can no longer be used, and will combine the rewards of the "Classic Act 2" battle pass in the free version. From update 26.21, only champions, runes, and rune pages will be available for purchase in the Classic store.