Riot Games has officially announced plans for the most significant transformation in the history of its flagship title, League of Legends. The monumental update, internally referred to as 'League Next', is scheduled to launch in 2027 and represents what the developer calls the 'next phase' for the iconic multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game.
What Does the 'League Next' Update Include?
In a video released ahead of schedule due to media speculation, Riot Games outlined the scope of the planned changes. Paul Bellezza, the game's executive producer, firmly ruled out a sequel, stating the answer to making 'League of Legends 2' remains 'no'. Instead, the focus is on a comprehensive overhaul of the existing game.
Andrei van Roon, head of the League Studio, detailed the key components of the update. These include a complete visual overhaul for the ageing title, which originally launched in 2009. Furthermore, players can expect gameplay changes on the primary Summoner's Rift map, adjustments to Runes and pre-game systems, and a new, fully integrated client similar to that of Riot's tactical shooter, Valorant.
'This work is part of our efforts to refocus on what we believe matters most to you,' van Roon stated on social media. He confirmed that more concrete details, including a more precise launch window within 2027, will be shared between the Mid-Season Invitational and the World Championship next year.
The Drive Behind the Massive Revamp
The confirmation follows a report by Bloomberg, which cited sources describing the project as the 'biggest update in the title's history'. The report suggested the update aims to attract new players amid concerns over declining interest, noting that Riot's other competitive title, Valorant, is currently more profitable.
This strategic refresh comes after several years of Riot expanding the League of Legends franchise through other media. The critically acclaimed Netflix series Arcane and spin-off games like Teamfight Tactics and 2XKO have broadened its reach, making the core game's modernisation a logical next step.
Community Reaction and Precedents
While no footage of the update has been released, the announcement has sparked significant discussion within the gaming community. The scale of the promised changes inevitably draws comparisons to other live-service game evolutions, such as Blizzard's transition from Overwatch to Overwatch 2.
Riot has emphasised that the update will build upon recent quality-of-life improvements. However, the mention of core 'gameplay changes' is likely to generate both excitement and apprehension among the game's dedicated, long-term player base, who are deeply invested in the current meta and mechanics.
The planned 2027 overhaul signifies Riot Games' commitment to ensuring League of Legends remains a dominant force in the esports and live-service gaming landscape for years to come, by fundamentally refreshing its foundation while stopping short of a full sequel.
