LoL: News, Patch Notes, Weekly Sale, Champ Rotation (2026)

Quick Patch Highlights (26.20) Buffs and Nerfs

Worlds 2026 is kicking off October 15th in the United States, and Patch 26.20 has also finally hit the Rift! It’s brought a whole bunch of changes to the game. Of course, several champions have also undergone some buffs and nerfs. Here’s a quick rundown:

Patch 26.20 Champion Buffs

• Diana
• Kennen
• Kindred
• Lillia
• Lucian
• Mordekaiser
• Neeko
• Smolder
• Swain
• Tahm Kench
• Vayne

Patch 26.20 Champion Nerfs

• Ambessa
• Ashe
• Cassiopeia
• K’Sante
• Yunara

Patch 26.20 Adjustments

• N/A

Most of the changes here are general tweaks to balance out champions after the last patch update. There have also been changes to some overperformers in the pro scene; champions like Ambessa and K’Sante, for instance, are being taken down a notch to allow for more counterplay. On the other hand, champions like Kennen and Kindred, who have been underperforming thus far, have been given some much-appreciated buffs.

Besides this, Riot has also released various bug fixes, such as a bug where Shyvana’s ultimate failed to cancel enemy teleports (Rito?!).

Riot Launches Private Replays

Another huge update this patch: Riot has opted to make game replays private. From now on, you can only review games you have played in, meaning you can no longer spectate other players’ matches. While Riot made this change with the goal of closing some security vulnerabilities, I’m honestly devastated. Replaying other players’ matches is so beneficial to learning the game, and it’s something I did regularly in low elo to understand the ropes. This is a HUGE blow to the community, and I can only hope that Riot backs down and makes replays public again.

Current Event Overview: S3 A2

Season 3 Act 2 is finally live in the client, and there’s a new Seasonal Battle Pass with plenty of Worlds-inspired missions to explore!

As you progress through the event, you’ll unlock mystery icons, emotes, champion capsules, and even Hextech Chests. The exact amount of rewards you unlock (and the quality) depends on whether you pay for a premium pass.

With a premium pass, you’ll have the opportunity to unlock goodies like the hilarious Pizza Delive-er-y emote and the exclusive Prestige Heartsteel Sett Mythic skin. There is a fair bit of grinding involved. However, most of the missions for this event are fairly easy and can be achieved by simply playing LoL. 

Season 3, Act 2 runs until January 6th 2027, so you still have plenty of time to get started on the missions.

Hall of Legends (Caps)

The Hall of Legends event is also now live in the client! League has explored the journeys of many pro players over the years, but this time it honors Caps, one of the most iconic LEC mid laners in history. Get the pass, and you’ll get to follow along in the form of 100 levels, each inspired by Caps’ wins, setbacks, and famous in-game moments. Of course, you’ll also get plenty of exclusive in-game rewards, including Risen Legend Orianna.

The event runs until October 21st, so get grinding!

Latest Skins to Hit the Shop

HEARTSTEEL Live My Life Skins

It’s another round of HEARTSTEEL skins just in time for Worlds… And like usual, Riot has delivered on all fronts. Overflowing with vibrant character models, playful attack animations, groovin’ sound effects, and a badass vibe that makes you feel like you can 1v5? What’s not to love! I have to particularly give Riot points for how they designed Ezreal’s ult ability. It looks like it came straight out of a 2010 pop band MV.

• HEARTSTEEL Live My Life Aphelios: 1350 RP
• HEARTSTEEL Live My Life Ezreal: 1350 RP
• HEARTSTEEL Live My Life K’Sante: 1350 RP
• HEARTSTEEL Live My Life Kayn: 1350 RP
• HEARTSTEEL Live My Life Yone: 1350 RP

Coven Skins

The Coven skin line essentially feels like a darker version of the Spirit Blossom skin line — and honestly? I’m here for it. It’s a refreshing change after the lighter and more playful skins that have been hitting the Rift. Each skin is bursting with bold, flashy colors and ethereal, witchy goodness. My only complaint? Coven Janna’s movement animations. Despite being a legendary tier skin, she feels incredibly stiff to play in-game. Still, the overall character model is gorgeous, so if you’re after style over substance, it may be worth the splurge.

• Coven Janna: 1820 RP
• Coven Mel: 1350 RP
• Old God Anivia: 1350 RP
• Old God Urgot: 1350 RP

Caps Hall of Legends Skins

These skins launched as part of the Hall of Legends event. While their aesthetic (and price tags) won’t please everyone, they do offer something no other skin does: Caps’ personal touch. They were developed in close collaboration with him, and it shows in their sci-fi visuals (Caps’ own choice) and the many ways they pay tribute to his in-game moments.

I personally will never find these event skins worth the price, especially since I’m not a diehard LEC fan (sorry Caps). However, if you want to experience the game through Caps’ eyes and channel your inner pro? Then they may be worth it; they genuinely feel as flawless as they look.

• Risen Legend Tristana: Entry premium skin
• Immortalized Tristana: Mid-tier premium skin
• Signature Immortalized Tristana: Highest-tier skin
• Risen Legend Orianna: Earned through event pass

Ocean Song (& Heartsong Seraphine) Skins

These skins essentially turn champions into poolside popstars; think a happy medium between the pool party skin line and K/DA. While they aren’t the most unique, I do love their colors, and the overall feel is playful, light, and fun, which is perfect for the summer.

Alongside these skins, Riot has also released a charity skin: Heartsong Seraphine. For every purchase of this skin between August 26 and September 23, Riot has confirmed they will donate the proceeds to the Riot Games Social Impact Fund, as well as a x2 match. The skin is absolutely gorgeous, with plenty of sparkles and colors, and is sure to be a hit with Seraphine mains. So yep, you can pamper yourself and tell your wallet it’s for a good cause.

• Heartsong Seraphine: 1820 RP
• Ocean Song Jinx: 1350 RP
• Ocean Song Soraka: 1350 RP

Faerie Court Skins

Want to feel like an ethereal baddy (aka equal parts enchanting and deadly?). Then you’re in luck. The design team at Riot have truly worked their magic on these latest skins!

Like the line’s Faerie Court name suggests, each skin here gives you that fantasy vibe with whimsical animations, otherworldly character models, and Spirit Blossom-esque sound effects. Of course, they also have a subtle, sinister undertone, and yes, Riot has captured this gorgeously without any awkward clashes or odd design choices.

I truly have to give Riot credit where it’s due: These skins are a significant improvement over the last release (Magma Chamber).

• Faerie Court Bel’Veth: 1350 RP
• Faerie Court Gwen: 1350 RP
• Faerie Court Lulu: 1350 RP

Magma Chamber Skins

I have mixed feelings about these latest skins. While I do love their overall vibe and color scheme, they genuinely just feel like Bewitching skins, but marketed as something “new” and “flashy.” To make matters worse? Magma Chamber Veigar honestly looks like Yuumi. It’s downright hilarious but also concerning; Riot, where’s the visual clarity? I would personally pass on these skins, unless you love the vibe of the Bewitching skin line and are looking for more.

• Prestige Magma Chamber Veigar (and Prestige Edition & Mythic available)
• Prestige Magma Chamber Jax

T1 Skins

Let’s be real: Has a T1 skin line ever not been a hit? This latest line lives up to expectations in every single way. Badass character models, flashy particle effects that make you feel like a pro, and plenty of fun tributes to T1. My only gripe? The bright, gold color palette strays a little too far from T1’s iconic colors for my liking. Still, it certainly gives you that empowering, reigning god-like feel.

• MVP T1 Miss Fortune: 1820 RP
• T1 Ambessa: 1350 RP
• T1 Galio: 1350 RP
• T1 Seraphine: 1350 RP
• T1 Xin Zhao: 1350 RP
• T1 Yunara: 1350 RP
• (Signature editions; priced at 3000+ RP each)

Latest Champion: Locke

The latest champion to hit the Rift is Locke, an exorcist tied to Demacia who hunts corrupted souls and literally puts a “nail” in their coffins. Let’s get this out of the way first: His character design is absolutely badass and makes him look like an exorcist straight out of Fullmetal Alchemist.

But Locke isn’t all looks and no substance; his kit is also extremely fun to play. He’s an AP assassin with a ton of burst damage, an AoE execute, and mobility (despite being a melee). The combo of his passive and Q combined allows him to especially excel in all-ins; very few champions can contest him if he manages to pull this combo off.

I initially had concerns that these elements would make for little counterplay… but since his release, I’m actually seeing the opposite. He feels a bit too weak. His hard-hitting attacks don’t feel as weighty, slick, or as powerful as they should. Maybe it will take time to get used to, so I’ll hold my breath for now before I say anything further. He’s likely to be tweaked in the next few patches anyway (if Riot follows their usual process).

You can find an in-depth breakdown of his abilities right here.

Current Champion Rotation Pool

Owning every champion in the game is not an easy feat — unless you’re willing to fork out on RP or grind Blue Essence for hours on end. Luckily, Riot helps out us peasants with the champion rotation pool, a schedule of over 20 champions that are made available for everyone to play, regardless of whether you actually own them. 

As of October 8th, here are the champions that are currently free to play:

• Akshan
• Alistar
• Briar
• Corki
• Ezreal
• Hecarim
• Kayn
• K’Sante
• Lissandra
• Lucian
• Mel
• Nilah
• Qiyana
• Rakan
• Singed
• Swain
• Tahm Kench
• Urgot
• Volibear
• Wukong

I highly recommend taking the time to explore Alistar if you haven’t done so already. He’s a support with an effective yet simple-to-master kit that can work well in practically any elo, and he’s fairly strong in the meta right now!

Weekly Sale (Skins and Champions)

Want to spruce up your main champion with a new, flashy skin? Then don’t fork out just yet; every week, Riot puts several skins on sale in the shop, with some skins even having a staggering 60% discount. 

As of October 8th, the current skins on sale are:

• PROJECT: Quinn
• Reindeer Smolder
• Battle Queen Miss Fortune
• Battle Bunny Aurora
• Rain Shepherd Milio
• Shan Hai Scrolls Kog’Maw
• Ocean Song Zeri
• Battle Wolf Sylas
• Dissonance of Pentakill Viego
• Dark Star Shaco
• Meowkai
• Rogue Admiral Garen
• Pool Party Draven
• Acolyte Lee Sin
• Lil’ Slugger Trundle

Happy bargain hunting!

Several champions also go on sale every week, though I don’t recommend ever spending RP on a champion unless you’re desperate. They can all be unlocked with Blue Essence, the free in-game currency that you earn while playing matches.

That said, the current champions on sale are:

• Gwen
• Viego
• Qiyana
• Jhin
• Azir

Ranked 2026 Season 3

Ranked 2026 Season 3 has officially hit the Rift! It’s time to get grindin n’ climbin once again! There were a few key adjustments to Ranked this season, including:

• Adjustments to Aegis of Valor to better focus around victory, with the aim of encouraging auto-filled players to play for the win rather than the grade
• Master players can now duo up with those similar to them in rank
• Grandmaster and Challenger ranked (or MMR equivalent) players will not be allowed to duo

There is no reset this time around, meaning your rank won’t change and you’ll retain all your progress from last season. End of Season 2 Ranked rewards will also be released shortly, likely within the next few weeks.

Season 3 will officially end on January 6th 2027.

What’s Coming Up in LoL

There’s a whole lot to look forward to over the next few months, with the most noteworthy being the introduction of thematic seasons instead of splits. Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect to see coming to the Rift:

• Riot has teased that a major refreshed version of LoL — codenamed League Next — is set to go live in 2027. We’ll hopefully hear more information soon!
• Continued improvements to the Mythic Shop to enhance its interface and make it more rewarding and accessible.
• Your Shop will return five times this year, with a special “Legendary” Your Shop where you can unlock legendary skins for a significantly reduced price.
• Plenty of new skin releases, including new skin lines and the return of old favorites (like PROJECT)
• The Riot team is actively working on improving the griefing detection systems in League. Players can expect to see new updates rolled out regularly this season.