Riot Games Announces Massive League of Legends Overhaul Coming in 2027

League of Legends : Image: Riot Games

Riot Games is gearing up to deliver the biggest update in League of Legends' history, with a massive overhaul reportedly slated for release in 2027.

The update, which has been internally dubbed "League Next," promises to reshape the iconic MOBA in ways that go far beyond your typical seasonal patches and balance tweaks.

Executive producer Paul Bellezza confirmed that these changes will "reshape parts of League in meaningful ways," though he was quick to clarify that this isn't a sequel.

The update will bring a fully integrated in-game client, fresh visuals that cover everything from characters to arenas, and gameplay adjustments.

According to Bloomberg, the overhaul represents Riot's response to a game that, while still massively popular, is showing signs of age. With over 100 million monthly players, League of Legends continues to be a juggernaut in the gaming world, but the studio recognizes that keeping that momentum going requires bold moves. The visual upgrades alone are expected to be substantial, touching on the game's user interface (UI), champion designs, and the battle arenas where millions of players clash daily.

The timing of this announcement is particularly interesting given Riot's recent internal shifts. The studio has undergone significant restructuring over the past couple of years, including an 11% workforce reduction in the previous year that resulted in 530 redundancies and the closure of its publishing label, Riot Forge. Additional layoffs followed in October, affecting 32 employees across the Leagues team and publishing division.

Bloomberg's report also mentions that another internal reorganization has been announced in connection with League Next, though specific details about how this will impact the studio remain unclear.

Launched in 2009, League of Legends played a major role in pioneering and popularizing the MOBA genre, taking inspiration from the Warcraft 3 custom map Defense of the Ancients and growing into a massive franchise with spin-offs like Legends of Runeterra, Wild Rift, and the acclaimed animated series Arcane.

The game's esports presence remains incredibly strong, with the 2025 World Championship finals in China drawing 6.7 million online viewers.

More details about League Next are expected to be shared throughout the coming year as Riot continues development.