3 months after launch, Riot announces League of Legends Classic will be killed in January: 'most have gone back to other parts of League'
Riot Games will shut down League of Legends Classic in January 2027, six months after its launch, citing insufficient player retention despite nostalgia-driven design.
League of Legends Classic, launched by Riot Games to recreate vintage-era gameplay, will cease operations in January 2027. The mode reverted to an older map version and limited champion pools, aiming to capitalize on nostalgia. However, Riot reported that most players returned to other parts of League, prompting the decision to discontinue the mode after its current season.
Riot confirmed that refunds will be issued for Classic content rendered obsolete by the closure. The company also announced plans to revisit Classic in the future, likely as an event mode with adjustments. A spokesperson acknowledged that while players enjoyed revisiting the past, the mode did not sustain long-term engagement.
Seven additional champions were still scheduled for release in Classic, including Mordekaiser, Yorick, Hecarim, and Lucian in update 26.21, followed by Vilibear, Urgot, and Udyr in later updates. Riot emphasized that the mode was a labor of love and thanked players for their feedback and participation.
Critics, including esports veteran Alex Chu, had previously noted that Classic’s appeal was limited by differing player perceptions of 'classic' League. Chu suggested that Classic’s niche appeal might have restricted its growth, as modern League prioritizes broad accessibility over experimental formats.