Noah Romsdal Hallundbæk Sørensen
Riot Games is preparing a massive overhaul of League of Legends.
Riot Games is preparing a major transformation of its flagship title, a move that could redefine how one of gaming’s longest-running hits looks and functions.
Details remain limited, but the reported plans point to a foundational update rather than an incremental refresh.
If accurate, the project would mark a turning point for a game that has shaped competitive gaming for nearly two decades.
Early details emerge
According to Bloomberg, the project is internally known as “League Next” and is being developed as a large-scale update to the existing League of Legends rather than a brand-new release.
The report says the overhaul would significantly modernize the game’s visuals, touching everything from characters and arenas to the user interface.
Bloomberg described the effort as resembling a remake in scope, even if it ships as an update.
Beyond visuals, the changes are expected to include technical upgrades designed to make future patches and expansions easier to deliver.
Bloomberg noted that it is still unclear whether the core gameplay mechanics will change.
Timeline and scale
Bloomberg reported that Riot Games is targeting a 2027 release window for League Next.
If that timeline holds, the update would arrive nearly 20 years after the game’s original debut.
The same report described the project as the largest update in League of Legends’ history, reflecting both the age of the game and its continued commercial importance.
Bloomberg also said Riot has announced an internal reorganization, though no specific details were provided about how that restructuring might affect development teams.
A lasting phenomenon
League of Legends launched in 2009 and has remained unusually popular for a title of its age.
Inspired by the Warcraft 3 custom map Defense of the Ancients, it helped define and popularize the multiplayer online battle arena genre.
The franchise has since expanded into other formats, including the digital card game Legends of Runeterra, the mobile title Wild Rift, and the animated television series Arcane.
Bloomberg reported that the game still attracts more than 100 million monthly players.
Its esports presence also remains dominant, with the 2025 World Championship finals in China drawing 6.7 million virtual viewers, according to the outlet.
Looking back
The game’s longevity has prompted reassessment over the years. In a 2014 re-review, it was described as “an amazing and intense MOBA with great depth, tons of character, and a huge community.”
If League Next moves forward as reported, Riot appears poised to test whether a comprehensive reinvention can sustain that legacy for another generation
Sources: IGN Nordic, Bloomberg
