Changes in League of Legends: 2026

With the arrival of the new year, Riot Games has released their first Dev Update for 2026, heralding some significant changes coming to League of Legends. Among these changes, Summoner’s Rift is now adopting a Demacia theme, and players can anticipate a new Demacia-themed Battle Pass revealed tomorrow. Moreover, the Dev Update has also hinted at a Shyvana rework, a new meta-game titled Demacia Rising, a return of ARAM Mayhem, and a host of new skins.

Shyvana Rework: Keeping the Core Identity Intact

According to Riot’s For Demacia 2026 Season One dev video, Shyvana will be updated similarly to how Mundo and Volibear were, along with a complete visual overhaul. Her abilities will remain similar on a broader level but with certain updated details.

Major changes include Shyvana actually transforming into a dragon when her ultimate is activated, after gaining enough Fury through abilities and defeating champions, cannons, and monsters. Other notable changes include preserving both her bruiser and AP builds and a visual update to modernize all of her existing skins. Relevant details about her rework will be provided as her Act 2 release date in the 2026 Season One cycle approaches.

Demacia Rising: The Main Event and the Game Structure for Season One 2026

Season One of 2026 for League of Legends is built on a Demacia theme with Demacia Rising forming the central event of the structure. The season also includes changes for a faster early game by ensuring fewer overlapping objectives. Players will notice Atakhan and his blood roses, and Feats of Strength removed from the game. To compensate, Baron and dragons will be stronger. Furthermore, all three lanes (top, mid, bot) will now also have role quests. Riot Games also has plans to overhaul the new player experience (NPE) to make the game more appealing to beginners.

ARAM Mayhem: Stayed Longer than Expected

Noted for its popularity among the players, ARAM Mayhem is set to remain for a longer period. Players should look forward to an update to ARAM Mayhem planned for patch 26.3 with a focus on refining the augment systems.

Keeping Griefing in Check: Lobby Hostage Intervention

Riot is premiering an experimental anti-griefing tool named ‘Lobby Hostage Intervention’. It is designed to terminate a match lobby if a player appears to be intending to sabotage the game based on their texts and pre-game champion and spell selections. Riot has ensured this feature will not penalize players who are picking off-meta champions. The change also includes an inability for players to ban a champion that their ally is hovering over in champion select, and an autofill status that now persists through match dodges. The intent is the reduction of repeated lobby griefing.

Skins, Themes, and Cosmetic Updates for Season One 2026

In terms of aesthetic updates, Riot Games confirmed Combat Academy as a new theme for the skins. Initial champions to receive this theme include Briar and Samira. Other notable additions include a Legendary Galio skin and Prestige skins for Sona and Mordekaiser during Act 1. Other champions like Ornn and themes will also receive visual reworks through the year.