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Riot Games will end the current run of League Classic on January 6, 2027, after Season 3. The mode remains playable until then, but patch 26.21 introduces scheduled queues in several regions, restricts JP1 and ME1 to custom matches, changes the Act II Battle Pass and simplifies the Classic store. Riot says Classic may return later as an event mode with adjustments and additions.
When does League Classic end?
Riot’s October 14, 2026 developer announcement says League Classic will remain available through the end of Season 3 Act II and then leave its current run. Riot Support gives the precise availability end date as January 6, 2027. This is an end to the present run, not a permanent cancellation: Riot says its goal is to bring Classic back in the future, probably as an event mode rather than as a continuously available mode.
Riot explained that most players have returned to other parts of League. It did not publish a player-count percentage or another numerical engagement figure, so the announcement does not establish how large the migration was.
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Scheduled queues in selected regions
Starting with patch 26.21, Riot is adding queue windows in regions where it reports strong migration back to modern modes. Riot cites long queue times and large matchmaking-rating discrepancies as the reasons. In the listed regions, matchmade Classic games will be available only during these server-time windows:
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- 18 POINTS OF ARTICULATION: The League of Legends collectible figures have 18 points of articulation for poseability and stances
- SCULPTED BASE: Showoff Garen with the included figure base in different poses. Perfect birthday gifts or gamer gifts for League of Legends fans and gamers alike
- CHAMPION COLLECTION: Collect all the League of Legends figures and toys, including 8.5-inch Blitzcrank; 6-inch Blitzcrank, Senna, Thresh, Ashe, Zed and 4-inch Darius, Jinx and Yasuo (sold separately). Bring your favorite champions home with League of Legends collectibles
| Regions | Monday–Friday | Saturday–Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| Korea | 4 PM–12 AM | 10 AM–1 AM |
| Latin America North | 4 PM–12 AM | 10 AM–1 AM |
| Latin America South | 4 PM–12 AM | 10 AM–1 AM |
| Taiwan | 4 PM–12 AM | 10 AM–1 AM |
| Vietnam | 4 PM–12 AM | 10 AM–1 AM |
| Turkey | 4 PM–12 AM | 10 AM–1 AM |
| Southeast Asia | 4 PM–12 AM | 10 AM–1 AM |
| Oceania | 4 PM–12 AM | 10 AM–1 AM |
| Russia | 4 PM–12 AM | 10 AM–1 AM |
The hours are expressed in each server’s local server time. They are not a global UTC schedule, so players should check the time used by their own region before planning a session.
JP1 and ME1 become custom-matches-only
Japan (JP1) and the Middle East (ME1) are listed as Custom Matches Only from patch 26.21. Players in those regions will not have the normal matchmade Classic queue, but they can still create or join a private custom lobby.
Custom games remain available everywhere
Custom Classic games remain available at all times in every region, including regions with scheduled queues and JP1 and ME1. This is the reliable option for groups that want to play outside a queue window or avoid matchmaking restrictions.
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Battle Pass and Classic store changes
One free track for the Act II Classic Battle Pass
The Act II Classic Battle Pass will use one unified free track instead of separate free-track arrangements. Progression through that track continues to provide the rewards Riot assigns to Classic, subject to the mode’s end date.
Refunds for unusable Classic content
Riot says it is issuing refunds for Classic-specific content that will no longer be usable. The announcement does not provide a single public refund amount or a universal processing date, so players should watch their account and Riot’s support notices for the treatment of their individual purchases.
The store is reduced to three categories
From patch 26.21, the Classic store will contain only:
Rank #3
- IDEAL COLLECTIBLE SIZE - At approximately 3.75 inches (9.5 cm) tall, this vinyl mini figurine complements other collectable merchandise and fits perfectly in your display case or on your desk.
- PREMIUM VINYL MATERIAL - Made from high-quality, durable vinyl, this collectible is built to last and withstand daily wear, ensuring long-lasting enjoyment for fans and collectors alike.
- PERFECT GIFT FOR ARCANE: LEAGUE OF LEGENDS FANS - Ideal for holidays, birthdays, or special occasions and as a present this figurine is a must-have addition to any Arcane: League of Legends merchandise collection
- EXPAND YOUR COLLECTION - Add this unique Vi vinyl display piece to your growing assortment of Funko Pop! figures, and seek out other rare and exclusive collectible items for a complete set
- LEADING POP CULTURE BRAND - Trust in the expertise of Funko, the premier creator of pop culture merchandise that includes vinyl figures, action toys, plush, apparel, board games, and more.
- Champions
- Runes
- Rune Pages
Other Classic-specific store content is not listed as remaining available after the change.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhich champions are returning?
Riot’s planned champion releases are spread across several patches:
| Patch | Planned returning champions |
|---|---|
| 26.20 | Irelia, Karma, Quinn, Aatrox and Caitlyn |
| 26.21 | Mordekaiser, Yorick, Hecarim and Lucian |
| Through 26.23 | Continued releases, including Volibear, Urgot and Udyr |
“Planned” is important: the announcement describes this as a release schedule across patches, not a guarantee that every listed champion will arrive simultaneously in every region.
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- 4 EPIC ACCESSORIES: Thresh comes with his iconic Lantern, Scythe, and ultimate Box ability while Senna comes with her trademark Relic Cannon and Piercing Darkness ability
- 18 POINTS OF ARTICULATION: The League of Legends collectible figures have 18 points of articulation for poseability and stances
- CHAMPION COLLECTION: Collect all the League of Legends figures, including 8.5-inch Blitzcrank; 6-inch Blitzcrank, Senna, Thresh, Ashe, Zed and 4-inch Darius, Jinx and Yasuo (sold separately). Bring your favorite champions home with League of Legends collectibles
How Classic progression works before the shutdown
Classic uses a separate progression system from standard League and TFT levels. Every player starts at Classic Account Level 0 and can progress to level 30. Missions and Classic matches award Classic XP. Levels can unlock Masteries, Runes, Influence Points, Blue Essence, icons, portraits, emotes, rune pages and other rewards. Riot lists the RUSTIER Blitzcrank Classic skin as the level-30 reward.
Because Classic ends on January 6, 2027, players who want these rewards should treat the remaining period as a fixed progression window. The available queue hours in your region, mission requirements and your current Classic level determine how much time you can realistically devote to reaching level 30.
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What players should do now
- Check your region. If you play on JP1 or ME1, plan around custom matches. If you play in one of the nine scheduled regions, convert the server-time windows to your local time.
- Use custom games outside queue hours. Custom Classic remains open 24/7 in every region.
- Spend time on remaining missions. Classic XP is separate from your normal account progression, so standard League or TFT matches do not replace Classic progression.
- Review Classic-specific purchases. Riot says qualifying unusable content will be refunded, while the post-26.21 store is limited to Champions, Runes and Rune Pages.
- Set a January 6 deadline. The current run ends on that date even though Riot is considering a future return.
Could League Classic return?
Riot says it intends to bring Classic back, likely in an event-mode format with adjustments and additions. That wording confirms an objective, not a published relaunch date, ruleset or permanent schedule. A future version could therefore differ from the current run in its availability, content, progression or matchmaking. Until Riot announces those details, January 6, 2027 remains the only confirmed end date and no return date is confirmed.
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