A modernized client, a refreshed map, reworked visuals and new ways to play your favorite champions. Here is everything Riot Games has shown of the new League of Legends so far.
by Ethan Cohen2 min read
Riot Games has revealed League of Legends: New Dawn, what people used to call "League Next". It is an all-encompassing, large-scale update to the game. It is set to release in 2027, Riot Games will share more information in January.
The announcement aired during the Worlds 2026 Final between Gen.G and Bilibili Gaming, at the Barclays Center in New York. The developer unveiled it in a short video, between the second and third games of the series.
Riot Games has confirmed four main areas for New Dawn, but it has not shared a precise release date yet.
Riot Games shared a first batch of in-game footage alongside the reveal. They give an early look at the new Summoner's Rift. The developer has not detailed them yet, so the observations below are our own.
Minions now look a bit taller, with facial expressions depending on whether they are fighting or not. Red-side minions wear red capes and plumes while Blue-side minions wear blue ones.
The Dragon pit itself also looks larger and offers more entrances compared to the old one. With a new wall in front of the drake, the gap between the river and the upper side of the pit looks narrower.
Structures across Summoner's Rift now feature glowing blue orbs, while the jungle, river and brush get new textures and colors. Champions look smaller on screen, and the map seems to have much more depth and relief.
Master Yi is shown in the jungle next to what looks like a spawn pit, near a horned monster that could be the new Red Buff. In another shot, Blitzcrank hooks Kha’Zix in the bottom-side jungle, right behind the Dragon pit.
In what looks like champion select, Blitzcrank has three icons to choose from. The highlighted one is labeled "Volt" before the selection switches to "God Hand". Both names fit Blitzcrank's electric, punch-heavy kit, which hints at a new set of rune-like choices tailored to each champion. Riot Games has not explained this system yet, so these are assumptions based on the images.
Another image shows Irelia, Ahri, Blitzcrank, Ashe and Master Yi standing together in a new environment, which looks like the lobby of the modernized client. The champions sport updated designs.
Until January, the reveal video is all Riot Games has shown.
Many questions remain open, from the gameplay changes and the “Volt” and “God Hand” choices to the exact release date and what carries over for accounts and skins.
We will update this article as soon as Riot Games shares more details.
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