Popular MOBA League of Legends was briefly unplayable over the past 24 hours, as the digital licence for the game expired.
A new year of tabletop releases is upon us, with trading card game adaptions of Cyberpunk 2077 and League Of Legends, and more mega evolutions for Pokémon TCG.
2026’s biggest gaming release won’t be GTA 6 but the new Cyberpunk trading card game, well maybe… but CD Projekt is following Riot Games in releasing a card game based on their biggest IP, thereby staking a claim in the lucrative tabletop market.
With this year marking the 30th anniversary year of Pokémon, card culture is shaping up to be the year’s defining scene for tabletop players. And it’s not just Pokémon, trading card fans can look forward to a huge slate of releases from other major properties, including Magic: The Gathering, Yu‑Gi‑Oh!, Lorcana, and more.
I also can’t wait to find out more about the Starcraft miniatures game that is finally bringing Terran, Zerg, and Protoss into physical battles that echo the iconic real-time strategy. That hasn’t been revealed yet, but the following picks are all either out now or imminent, in what is a very promising start for tabletop gaming this year.
The new Cyberpunk 2077 card game distils Night City’s chrome-plated chaos into something you can sling across a kitchen table, sharp edges and moral compromises intact. CD Projekt hasn’t revealed much about how the gameplay is going to work, but it will combine elements from both the video game and the Edgerunner animated show.
As such, it’ll feature characters ‘from across the franchise’, with the likes of Panam Palmer, Jackie Welles, and Judy Alvarez already confirmed. Cards such as Kiroshi Optics, Mantis Blades, and Mandibular Upgrade suggest the trading card game is going to feature all the main elements from the video game, no doubt including backstabbing and changing allegiances.
The cards will feature all-new, original artwork and if you want to get the upper hand as an Edgerunner you can sign up now for the exclusive Lucy ‘Nova Rare’ card free, at the game’s official website. The Kickstarter campaign won’t start until later in the year but that still means it’ll be out a lot sooner than the video game sequel.
Release date and RRP: TBA
The Maggotkin slither into 2026 with a fresh wave of grotesque, irresistible models that push the pestilent hordes to new extremes. The updated Battletome revamps rules, battle traits, and narrative options, giving you both tactical tools and rich-but-disgusting story content. At the forefront of the narrative is Festus the Leechlord, a former plague doctor ascended into daemonhood, mounted on the bloated slug-like horror Gathoblyt, who with tentacles protruding from its belly rains down parasitic leeches and disease across the battlefield.
Cavalry, like the corrupted Sloven Knights, Putrid Blightkings, and savage Pestigors, bring thematic menace while dominating objectives. Infantry units, from swarming Pox-Wretches to elite Rotswords, also add variety to the tabletop, while specialists such as Spoilpox Scriveners and the Regiment of Renown: The Pustules round out the plague army.
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
Mechanically, the wave leans into attrition and contagion, rewarding careful positioning and strategic patience. These toxic knights drip with textured pustules, worms, and rot, making the Maggotkin a great excuse to get my new metallic paints out.
Release date: 17th January
RRP: £57 for Festus the Leechlord
It’s Pokémon’s 30th birthday this year, so hold on to your hats as The Pokémon Company always likes to make a big fuss about such things. Ascended Heroes is already one of 2026’s most anticipated tabletop releases, as the expansion reframes mega evolution, not as a gimmick, but as a moment of transformation that can tilt an entire match.
The new cards revolve around Ascended Heroes pokémon, with mechanics that reward timing and restraint as much as raw force. Mega Evolution now feels earned rather than automatic, demanding set-up, sacrifice, and nerve. The extremely sought after Mega Dragonite ex (mega hyper rare) card, in all its golden glory, heralds an accessible but sharper-edged upgrade from earlier sets, nudging competitive play without abandoning the joy of Pokémon.
Collectors will all be hoping to pull special illustration rares (SIRs) but they will be as hard to get hold of as a ticket to the Pokémon pop-up at London’s Natural History Museum. With the 30th birthday celebrations and Pokémon European International Championship just around the corner, this is going to be one of the biggest years ever for the franchise.
Release Date: 30th January
RRP: £54.99 for elite trainer box
The team-up between Magic: The Gathering and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most nostalgic and fun tabletop releases, pulling the heroes in a half-shell straight out of the sewer and into Magic’s multicoloured chaos. This isn’t a novelty crossover, it’s a full-scale Magic: The Gathering release, designed to sit comfortably alongside core sets and Commander staples.
Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael arrive as legendary creatures, each reflecting their personalities through colour identity and playstyle, while villains like Shredder and Krang bring high-threat build-arounds.
Expect mechanics that riff on teamwork, ambush tactics, and mutation, with playful twists that still respect Magic’s fundamentals. Universes Beyond has already expanded Magic’s audience and this looks set to do it again. Can we have Masters of the Universe next?
Release Date: 6th March
RRP: £64.99
With Avengers: Doomsday set to hit cinemas this year, you can play out your own superhero battles in Marvel: Crisis Protocol, with the new Adam Warlock (as seen in the last Guardians of the Galaxy movie), Moondragon, and Quasar (Phyla-Vell from Marvel Cosmic Invasion) figures.
This character pack is less about raw damage and more about control, tempo, and the unseen forces shaping the board. Adam Warlock plays as a balancing presence, rewarding careful sequencing and punishing with his new bonded soul gem. His abilities lean into survivability and counterplay, making him feel like a living pause button in the middle of battle.
Moondragon, by contrast, is sharp and invasive. Her psychic toolkit disrupts enemy plans, bending activations and forcing opponents into awkward decisions they didn’t plan to make. Quasar rounds out the trio with kinetic energy manipulation, excelling at zone control and sudden repositioning that can flip objectives late in a round.
Together, they form a set that asks players to think laterally. Positioning matters, timing matters more, and mistakes are quietly amplified. These new miniatures reflect that tone: elegant, cosmic and restrained. This is Crisis Protocol at its most cerebral, proving the game’s future isn’t just louder battles but smarter ones.
Release Date: 13th February
RRP £59.99
The frantic, eye-straining, name-shouting joy of Dobble swings into the Marvel multiverse, as the competitive card slammer launches a new Spider-Man themed variant. This family friendly edition keeps the rules simple, while coating every card in bold, web-splashed iconography, pulled from across Spider-Man’s many lives. It’s immediate, accessible, and extremely fast-paced.
Instead of abstract symbols, players race to spot matching images of masks, gadgets, and villains, from classic Peter Parker to Miles Morales and beyond. The character chaos isn’t just cosmetic; it adds narrative throwdown, turning each split-second win into a tiny comic book beat. Games may be over in minutes, but the energy is as loud as my love for Spider-Ham.
Release Date: 9th January
RRP: £16.99
Winterspell wraps the Disney trading card game’s luminous fantasy in frost, shadow, and slow-building tension. Preceding the opening of World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris, it leans into seasonal magic where patience, control, and perfectly timed reveals matter more than brute force. Plus, who doesn’t love Stitch on a snowboard!
The new set introduces new ice mechanics that reward stalling, delayed payoffs, and subtle manipulation, while deepening the complex narrative of the Illumineers. Characters linger on the inkwell, freeze rivals in place, or quietly gain strength over time, shifting matches into slower, more deliberate rhythms, in fitting locations such as Graveyard of Christmas Future – Lonely Resting Place.
This deepens the strategy without sacrificing accessibility, letting newcomers find their footing while experienced players explore sharper interactions, all while letting you play Scrooge McDuck straight out of a Christmas Carol.
The accompanying Illumineer’s Trove set is packed with boosters, storage, and premium accessories, as crystalline cards recast familiar Disney characters as mythic, winter-bound figures. Winterspell delivers a perfect winter atmosphere and sets up Lorcana for another big year.
Release Date: 20th February
RRP: £49.99
Arriving late last year, following the Alien Earth TV show, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on some new alien miniatures for my tabletop. The Evolved Edition takes what was already one of the most immersive sci-fi horror systems around and refines it into a lean, intense starter experience perfect for both terrified newbies and hardened role-playing veterans (COUGH unlike the TV series).
Inside the box you get streamlined Evolved Edition rules, an expanded Hope’s Last Day scenario, five ready-made characters, and maps that evoke claustrophobic corridors and alien wilderness – as well as custom dice, initiative and gear cards, tokens, and even a little alien miniature to stalk your crew around the table.
It’s designed to drop you straight into the tension, dread, and drama without needing an encyclopaedia of rulebooks or adult children to take care of. Equal parts cinematic dread and tactical play, it’s the kind of game that actually does justice to the series.
Out Now from around £35
One of the best new trading card games of 2025 gets its first expansion (which is already out in China), with a promise of high stakes adventure and deep strategic tension. Spiritforged pushes players to master timing, positioning, and resource management, with a new Gear card subtype that you can attach to your units.
Mechanically, the set introduces a new Dauntless Vanguard card that can be played onto an occupied enemy battlefield, forcing players to adapt rather than rely on static strategies. Spiritforged enemies have layered abilities that punish overextension and reward teamwork, while new hero archetypes allow for experimentation with hybrid classes and combination tactics.
Heeding calls for more original art, this second set of Spiritforged dazzles with great looking cards of luminous, fractured landscapes and characters like Irelia, Blade Dancer. For fans of League Of Legends, as well as anyone who likes card games with tactical depth and immersive storytelling, this expansion transforms Riftbound into something sharper, darker, and beautifully unforgiving.
Release Date: February 2026
RRP: £18-£20 for decks
Konami’s new rarity collection arrives with the kind of quiet confidence that suggests it already knows it will sell out immediately. And these cards deserve to, they are stunning! Designed as much for collectors as competitive duellists, the new designs lean into spectacle, wrapping familiar power cards in wall-to-wall foil and presenting every booster as a small event. The headline addition is the debut of extended art cards, with 10 iconic picks given edge-to-edge illustrations that spill beyond traditional frames and invite a second look.
Cards like Wake Up Your Elemental HERO, Shooting Quasar Dragon, Kurikara Divincarnate, and Dominus Purge feel less like reprints and more like gallery pieces, reframing nostalgia through modern design. There’s a sense here, of Yu-Gi-Oh! acknowledging its own history while reframing it for a new era.
For long-time fans and newcomers alike, Rarity Collection 5 doesn’t reinvent the game. Instead, it polishes and upgrades the look of it, reminding you that opening a booster can still feel like magic… and I’m under its spell.
Release Date: 9th April
RRP £6.99 per booster
I love a bit of grimdark but if miniature wargaming has been feeling a bit… samey lately, Trench Crusade feels like a breath of unholy air blasted down the frontlines. This skirmish scale game plunges you into an alternate history where the First Crusade unleashed the forces of Hell and a grotesque, unending war still rages in the trenches of 1914. The world is blasphemous and brutal, where faith, heresy, and steel collide amidst mud, barbed wire and unearthly horrors.
Players field small warbands in gritty, tense battles where every decision feels heavy with consequence – a far cry from glossy, polished sci-fi battlefields. The art and aesthetic are evocative and immersive, and the flexibility to use your own miniatures or bespoke models only deepens the DIY spirit many gaming groups now crave.
For anyone tired of the familiar and hungry for something that feels like an alternative history horror epic, Trench Crusade could be 2026’s most talked about tabletop wargame. Technically this makes for a list of 11 now but
Out Now for RRP: £31.99
Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter.
To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
It's not a new League of Legends season if something doesn't go wrong. As the MOBA kicks off 2026 with a bang (the For Demacia cinematic slapped), there are plenty of huge changes to contend with, including the massive adjustments to each of the game's roles, the removal of Atakhan and addition of Crystalline Overgrowth, and changes to pacing to ensure that you get into game faster. But, as part of the Demacia-themed Act 1, all eyes have been on Demacia Rising, a brand new, city builder-inspired minigame that casts you as a young Lux trying to carve out a place in the world. It's the thing that I was most excited to try out, but, unfortunately, it's not working.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: Riot disables League of Legends Demacia Rising following loading issues, with no signs of when it'll return
Riot has just dropped the full details for League of Legends 2026 Season One upon us, and there's plenty to be excited for. The new 'For Demacia' update is here, and alongside the much-anticipated Shyvana rework, there's confirmation that ARAM Mayhem will be extended for at least a while longer, and a look at exactly what we'll be doing in the Demacia Rising event. If Riot is able to deliver on everything it's been teasing, then 2026 is shaping up to be a pretty transformative year for the long-running MOBA.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: League of Legends ARAM Mayhem is here to stay, as Riot reveals the Shyvana rework, a city-building minigame, and new anti-griefing tools
January 8, 2026: 9:12am PT: Riot has since confirmed the legitimacy of the email, noting that "a delay in production" led to the Arcane boxes' late shipping. It has also provided more information on Spiritforged's rollout. Riftbound, Riot Games' League of Legends card game, has had an odd start to life. While the TCG itself is genuinely fun, with a unique identity that sets it apart from competitors like Magic: The Gathering, Lorcana, and Star Wars Unlimited, Riot has consistently struggled to meet demand. The first lot of packs went out with missing rares (something Riot has confirmed will impact Set 2, Spiritforged's, release as well), with the developer admitting that it "missed the mark" on supply and demand.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: Riot delays League of Legends Riftbound's Arcane box, so here's how long you'll need to wait
League of Legends has become a very different game in 2025. With the introduction of the battle pass system and ever-changing seasonal Rifts, it's taken a moment to get used to Riot's new and 'improved' LoL, and I'm still unsure whether or not I like it. 2026, however, is dropping radical, much-needed adjustments to balance, game time, and epic monsters, hopefully making things a bit smoother for top laners and ADCs. There are 11 new items - two of which are fan favorites - and we're being transported back to Demacia at the peak of its power. On paper, this season looks like it solves a lot of the MOBA's problems, and it's honestly quite exciting.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: League of Legends is giving every role a transformative rework as part of the best slate of changes I've seen in years
"It's been 3,000 years..." is an iconic gif I hope has been posted in response to the official announcement that a stack of fan-favorite Fortnite skins have returned after years on the bench. Having missed the chance to make their mark in the brightly-colored recreation of Springfield in one of the best battle royale games of the lot, you can, at the very least, have Jinx and Vi, the problematic Piltover personas from Arcane, bring their chaotic energy back to Fortnite around Hawkins, Indiana, where there are stranger things afoot than Homer Simpson drunkenly pottering around in his underwear.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: After four years, two of the most requested Fortnite skins are finally back on the menu, but fans are screaming for more
The introduction of WASD controls is arguably one of the biggest changes in League of Legends' history, giving players a secondary way to play the game. Riot Games' aim is to help make the game accessible to a wider array of players, many of whom will be used to similar controls in other games.
Lore & Legends (set 16) of champions for TFT (Teamfight Tactics) has been released on December 3rd, 2025, bringing 40 new champions that you can unlock during the game and buff up your team. In the guide below, we will explain how to unlock all set 16 champions in TFT, their classes, origins, and every other important detail regarding them.
In the table below, you can check out all the information on how to unlock every set 16 characters in Teamfight Tactics (TFT), as well as level requirements, and each character’s classes and origins. Use it as a cheat sheet for unlocking these new characters when playing TFT.
| Champion | Details | How to Unlock | Required Level |
|---|---|---|---|
Bard | 2 Caretaker | Reroll 4 times before Stage 2 Carousel | None |
Graves | 2 Bilgewater Gunslinger | Field in combat: Twisted Fate with 2 items equipped | None |
Orianna | 2 Piltover Invoker | Field in combat: 3 unique Piltover units | None |
Poppy | 2 Yordle Demacia Juggernaut | Field in combat: Demacian or a Yordle with 2 items equipped | None |
Tryndamere | 2 Freljord Slayer | Field in combat: Ashe with 2 items equipped | None |
Yorick | 2 Shadow Isles Warden | Field in combat: 2-star Viego with 2 items equipped | None |
Darius | 3 Noxus Defender | Have Draven drop 1 Gold | None |
Gwen | 3 Shadow Isles Disruptor | Collect 20 Shadow Isles Souls | None |
Kennen | 3 Ionia Yordle Defender | Field in combat: 8 unique star levels of Ionia, Yordle, or Defender | None |
Kobuko & Yuumi | 3 Yordle Bruiser Invoker | Field in combat: 6 unique star levels of Bruiser, Yordle, or Invoker | Req. Lvl 7 |
LeBlanc | 3 Noxus Invoker | Field in combat: Sion with 2 items equipped | None |
Diana | 4 Targon | Field in combat: 2-star Leona with 3 items equipped | Req. Lvl 6 |
Fizz | 4 Bilgewater Yordle Disruptor | Field in combat: 5 unique Yordles or Bilgewater units | Req. Lvl 7 |
Kai’Sa | 4 Void Assimilator Longshot | Field in combat: A Longshot unit with 3 items equipped | Req. Lvl 8 |
Kalista | 4 Shadow Isles Vanquisher | Collect 70 Shadow Isles Souls | None |
Nasus | 4 Shurima | Lose 2/4/5 combats in a row with Azir | None |
Nidalee | 4 Ixtal Huntress | Field in combat: Two 2-star Neekos | None |
Renekton | 4 Shurima | Lose 2/4/5 combats in a row with Azir | None |
Rift Herald | 4 Void Bruiser | Have Void active for 8 player combats | None |
Singed | 4 Zaun Juggernaut | Field in combat: 4 unique Zaunites or Juggernauts and lose 35 Player Health | None |
Skarner | 4 Ixtal | Field in combat: A non-Tank with a Gargoyle’s Stoneplate equipped | None |
Veigar | 4 Yordle Arcanist | Field in combat: Unit with 2 Rabadon’s Deathcaps equipped | None |
Warwick | 4 Zaun Quickstriker | Field in combat: 2-star Jinx and 2-star Vi | None |
Yone | 4 Ionia Slayer | Field in combat: 3-star Yasuo | None |
Aatrox | 5 Darkin Slayer | Field in combat: A champion who starts combat with 40% Omnivamp | Req. Lvl 8 |
Galio | 5 Demacia Heroic | Field in combat: 12 unique star levels of Demacia | None |
Mel | 5 Noxus Disruptor | 2-star Ambessa with an item dies in combat | None |
Sett | 5 Ionia The Boss | Field in combat: Only 1 unit in the two front rows of the battlefield | Req. Lvl 8 |
T-Hex | 5 Piltover HexMech Ginslinger | Field in combat: 9 unique star levels of Piltover | None |
Tahm Kench | 5 Bilgewater Glutton Bruiser | Spend 500 Bilgewater Silver Serpents | None |
Thresh | 5 Shadow Isles Warden | Collect 175 Shadow Isles Souls | None |
Volibear | 5 Freljord Bruiser | Field in combat: A unit that starts combat with 3,800 Health | Req. Lvl 8 |
Xerath | 5 Shurima Ascendant | Alternate winning and losing for 3/5/6 combats with Azir | None |
Ziggs | 5 Zaun Yordle Longshot | Field in combat: A Yordle or a Zaunite with 3 items equipped | Req. Lvl 9 |
Aurelion Sol | 7 Targon Star Forger | Field in combat: 5 unique Targonians | None |
Baron Nashor | 7 Void Riftscourge | Field 7 unique Void units | Req. Lvl 10 |
Brock | 7 Ixtal | Collect 500 Ixtal Sunshards over the course of the game | None |
Ryze | 7 Rune Mage | Field in combat: 5 Region Traits together | Req. Lvl 9 |
Sylas | 7 Chainbreaker Defender Arcanist | Sell a 2-star Jarvan, a 2-star Garen, and a 2-star Lux | None |
Zaahen | 7 Darkin Immortal | Have the ‘Trials of Twilight’ Augment and field a 3-star Xin Zhao for 5 combats | None |
There are 40 champions in the Lore & Legends set.
In the Lorefinder tab of the TFT you’ll be able to collect the rewards for unlocking all the champions. These rewards include portal skins, tactician skins, and other cosmetics.
There are 100 champions in total. 60 of them are available by default, and 40 can be unlocked during the game.
That covers all you need to know on how to unlock all champions in Teamfight Tactics set 16 (Lore & Legends). For more useful guides, be sure to check out the Guides category here on Gamepur!
Riot Games has officially unveiled the massive gameplay overhaul coming to League of Legends Season 1 2026, and the changes are game-changing. From removing controversial mechanics like Atakhan to introducing new strategic elements like Faelights, this season promises to reshape the meta completely. Whether you’re a casual player or grinding for Challenger, understanding these updates will give you a competitive edge when the new season drops in January 2026.
Riot is cleaning house for the new season, removing several mechanics that caused objective fatigue and cluttered gameplay. Atakhan and Feats of Strength are being completely removed from Summoner’s Rift. These Baron Nashor alternatives never quite hit the mark with the playerbase, often creating confusing priority decisions during mid-game teamfights.
Blood Roses and Petals are also getting axed. While these mechanics added some strategic depth, they ultimately contributed to visual clutter and unnecessary complexity. The removal streamlines decision-making and lets players focus on core objectives like Dragon Soul and Baron.
Baron Nashor is reclaiming its throne as the primary late-game objective. The legendary monster will spawn at the 20-minute mark again, restoring the classic power spike timing that veterans know and love. This change brings back the iconic Baron plays and game-ending teamfights that define League’s most exciting moments.
Vision control is getting a strategic upgrade with the introduction of Faelights. These special ward locations appear across Summoner’s Rift and grant extended vision range when you place a ward on them. Think of them as premium warding spots that reward players who understand map control.
Faelights add a new layer to support gameplay and jungle pathing. Teams that master Faelight positioning will gain significant information advantages, making vision control even more valuable in Season 1 2026. Support mains should start theorycrafting optimal Faelight routes right now.
Bot lane mains are celebrating as Riot delivers substantial buffs to marksman scaling. The most significant change is a seventh item slot reserved exclusively for boots. This means ADC champions can now build an extra legendary item without sacrificing mobility, allowing for stronger late-game carries and better itemization flexibility.
Critical strike damage is returning to 200% base damage for all champions. This revert to the classic crit formula means your auto-attacks will hit harder once you complete core items. Expect champions like Jinx, Caitlyn, and Tristana to dominate the late-game meta with their improved scaling potential.
These changes address long-standing complaints about ADC agency in Season 2025. With better scaling and an extra item slot, marksman players can finally match the impact of bruisers and mages in extended teamfights.
Riot is bringing back strategic diversity with major changes to turret mechanics and siege gameplay. A new system called Crystalline Overgrowth acts as a universal demolish effect, helping champions push lanes regardless of their damage type.
Crystalline Overgrowth works through special crystals that grow over time on turrets. When you attack a turret, these crystals deal bonus damage, making it easier for low-DPS champions like enchanters and tanks to contribute to split-pushing. This levels the playing field and opens up more strategic options beyond grouping for teamfights.
Turret platings are getting a massive overhaul. Instead of only appearing on outer turrets during the early game, platings will now stay permanently on outer turrets and extend to inner and inhibitor turrets. This change rewards aggressive laners and makes split-pushing a viable win condition again.
The combination of these mechanics brings back the glory days of split-push champions like Fiora, Jax, and Tryndamere. Top laners can now pressure side lanes effectively while their team stalls objectives, adding tactical depth to macro gameplay.
The ranked experience is getting its biggest update in years. Duo queue is now enabled at all ranks, including Challenger. This reverses the controversial solo-only restriction from previous seasons and lets friends climb together regardless of their MMR.
To prevent boosting and maintain competitive integrity, Riot is implementing new anti-boosting controls. These systems detect suspicious duo patterns and MMR discrepancies, protecting the ranked ladder from exploitation while still allowing legitimate duos to play together.
The autofill system is receiving major improvements to reduce frustration. When you get autofilled, a new reward system called Aegis of Valor provides compensation. While exact details haven’t been revealed, this mechanic aims to make off-role games less punishing and encourage players to fill when needed.
Summoner’s Rift is getting a stunning visual makeover for 2026. The map is heading to Demacia, featuring white gold and blue petricite-themed aesthetics. This replaces the Noxian arena look from Season 2025 and brings a fresh visual identity to the Rift.
The Demacian theme fits perfectly with League’s lore, showcasing the kingdom’s iconic architecture and magical stone. Expect to see petricite crystals, grand fortifications, and blue-gold color schemes throughout the map. The new visuals maintain gameplay clarity while delivering an immersive thematic experience.
All these changes hit the PBE (Public Beta Environment) on December 2nd, 2025. This gives players about a month to test the new mechanics and provide feedback before the official launch. The PBE testing phase is crucial for balance adjustments and bug fixes.
Season 1 2026 officially launches in January 2026. Riot hasn’t announced the exact date yet, but seasons typically start in early to mid-January. Make sure to finish your Season 2025 ranked grind and claim your rewards before the split ends.
Start adapting your champion pool now to take advantage of the new mechanics. ADC mains should practice scaling carries that benefit from the extra item slot. Top laners need to refine their split-push fundamentals with the new turret mechanics. Support players should study Faelight locations and vision patterns.
Don’t sleep on the PBE testing phase. Jumping onto the test server lets you experiment with builds, practice new strategies, and discover hidden OP picks before the ranked grind begins. Early adopters always have an advantage in the first few weeks of a new season.
Study macro gameplay and objective control. With Atakhan removed and Baron back at 20 minutes, the strategic landscape is shifting back to classic League fundamentals. Teams that master vision control around Dragon Soul and Baron Nashor will dominate the early meta.
When does League of Legends Season 1 2026 start? Season 1 2026 launches in January 2026, with PBE testing beginning December 2nd, 2025.
Is Atakhan removed in Season 1 2026? Yes, Atakhan and Feats of Strength are completely removed from the game in Season 1 2026.
Can you duo queue in Challenger in Season 1 2026? Yes, duo queue is enabled at all ranks including Challenger, with new anti-boosting protections.
What are Faelights in League of Legends? Faelights are special ward locations that grant extended vision range when you place wards on them.
Do ADCs get 7 item slots in Season 1 2026? Yes, a seventh item slot reserved for boots allows ADCs to build an extra legendary item.
When does Baron spawn in Season 1 2026? Baron Nashor returns to spawning at the 20-minute mark in Season 1 2026.
What is Crystalline Overgrowth? Crystalline Overgrowth is a new mechanic that acts as a universal demolish effect, helping all champions push turrets more effectively.
League of Legends has made me cry many times. Whether it's Silco's untimely demise in the first season of Arcane, or getting absolutely obliterated during a ranked promo match, for all my complaints about Riot's MOBA, I still truly love it. But my mind can't help but wander back to the good ol' days of Butcher's Bridge and Snowdown Showdown, and while we saw the Gangplank-inspired ARAM map return earlier this year, the one I've been waiting for has always been Winter Rift. Baron's been missing his Santa hat for far too long, but League of Legends patch 25.23 has brought it back, and I won't lie, I got a little teary.
Read the full story on PCGamesN: Forget the new champion, the latest League of Legends patch just made me cry with an addition I've waited almost a decade for
