What is League Next? Riot’s reported overhaul of League of Legends explained

Riot Games is reportedly working on a major overhaul of League of Legends — internally referred to as ‘League Next’ — with a release target of 2027.

According to a report from Bloomberg by video game reporter Cecilia D’Anastasio, the project was described by five current and former employees as the biggest update in the game’s history, with plans reportedly including a broad refresh of the title’s visuals and underlying technology.

The report details that Riot aimed to re-imagine the game’s visual aesthetic — including champions, the user interface, and battle arenas — in an effort to appeal to new players, while also reworking the technical foundations to make it easier to ship updates.

The report also noted Riot had recently added new keyboard controls that may be easier for newer players to adopt. At the same time, internal reorganisation had been announced to employees, while a Riot spokesperson declined to comment on the plans.

Riot Games primarily generates revenue from League of Legends through the sale of cosmetic items and other digital content. Despite its continued scale, Bloomberg reported that League of Legends’ playerbase has declined in recent years, according to sources. The report added that VALORANT — Riot’s tactical shooter — now generates more revenue for the publisher.

If released as planned in 2027, League Next would arrive nearly two decades after League of Legends first launched, marking a significant milestone for one of esports’ most influential titles. In that time, the game has frequently been criticised for its backend infrastructure. League of Legends will finally join other major franchises in having a major overhaul.