All League of Legends Seasons Start and End Dates
By Roger on Mar 30th, 2025, 08:08
(Updated on February 3rd, 2026)
Season 2026 is here, and Riot has doubled down on the thematic seasonal structure they introduced last year. Riot Games continuously tweaks the formula, and Season 16 is a perfect example of how they've reinvented their approach to keep you, the player, constantly adapting and strategizing.
Whether you're grinding for Victorious skins, tracking the pro scene, or just trying to figure out when this season actually ends, this guide has everything you need.
Here's a complete timeline snapshot of all seasons' start and end dates to help you plan better for seasonal rewards and final ranks.
| Season | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 13, 2010 | August 23, 2011 |
| 2 | November 29, 2011 | November 12, 2012 |
| 3 | February 1, 2013 | November 11, 2013 |
| 4 | January 10, 2014 | November 11, 2014 |
| 5 | January 21, 2015 | November 11, 2015 |
| 6 | January 20, 2016 | November 8, 2016 |
| 7 | December 8, 2016 | November 7, 2017 |
| 8 | January 16, 2018 | November 12, 2018 |
| 9 | January 23, 2019 | November 19, 2019 |
| 10 | January 10, 2020 | November 10, 2020 |
| 11 | January 8, 2021 | November 15, 2021 |
| 12 | January 7, 2022 | November 14, 2022 |
| 13 | January 11, 2023 | January 9, 2024 |
| 14 | January 10, 2024 | January 6, 2025 |
| 2025 | January 9, 2025 | January 7, 2026 |
| 2026 | January 8, 2026 | January 7, 2027 (expected) |
Notice how the naming convention changed in 2025? Riot dropped the numbered seasons in favor of year-based naming. So instead of "Season 15" and "Season 16," we now have "2025" and "2026."
Riot keeps the three-season format they introduced in 2025. Each year is divided into three thematic seasons, each lasting roughly four months. Every season has its own theme tied to Runeterra's lore, its own Victorious skin, and its own ranked rewards.
| Season | Theme | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season One | For Demacia | January 8, 2026 | ~April 28, 2026 |
| Season Two | TBA | ~April 29, 2026 | ~August 12, 2026 |
| Season Three | TBA | ~August 13, 2026 | ~December 9, 2026 |
Season One kicked off on January 8, 2026, with Patch 26.01. The "For Demacia" theme brings a refreshed Summoner's Rift map with Demacian aesthetics, plus major gameplay changes, including the new Role Quest system for all five positions.
What's gone in 2026? Atakhan, Blood Roses, and the "Triumph of Power" mechanic have all been removed. The game returns to classic Baron spawns at 20 minutes. Check our Season 2026 objectives guide for more details.
If you're following the pro scene, here's when each major region kicks off:
First Stand Tournament (FST): March 16–22, 2026, in São Paulo, Brazil. Eight teams compete: two from LCK, two from LPL, and one each from LEC, LCS, LCP, and CBLOL. All matches are best-of-five with Fearless Draft.
Mid-Season Invitational (MSI): Takes place in Daejeon, South Korea. First time MSI has been held in this city.
Worlds 2026: Returns to North America. Play-Ins through Semifinals will be held at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas. The Finals will take place in New York.
Big news for 2026: MSI now grants two additional Worlds qualification slots, doubling the stakes compared to previous years.
Riot completely overhauled the reward system starting in 2025, and those changes carry forward. Here's what you need to know:
Forget split points. The new system is much simpler:
That's it. No specific rank required for the base skin. You can be Iron or Challenger—as long as you hit 15 wins and keep your honor up, you get the Victorious skin.
While everyone can earn the base skin, chromas are still tied to your final rank. Higher ranks unlock exclusive chromas that show off your climb. Push for that Challenger border if you want the full collection.
Complete all three seasons (earn the Victorious skin in each) and you'll receive a splash art border on all three skins showing your highest rank achieved during the year. You also get a unique ranked emote celebrating your peak performance.
The Role Quest system is the biggest gameplay shift this season. Every position now has lane-phase objectives similar to how jungle and support items worked before.
Complete your Role Quest, and you unlock powerful mid-game bonuses:
ADCs also got their base critical strike damage restored to 200%.
When each thematic season winds down, the rush to lock in your rank gets intense. Here's how to make the most of it:
Stick to your best champions. This isn't the time for experimenting. Play what you know works and what's currently strong in the meta.
Track patch notes. Riot releases updates every two weeks. A champion you've been dominating with can get nerfed overnight. Stay informed.
Focus on consistency. You only need 15 wins for the Victorious skin, but climbing requires sustained performance. Avoid tilt queues and know when to step away.
Consider LoL coaching. If you're stuck and time is running out, a session with an experienced coach can identify mistakes you're not seeing. Sometimes an outside perspective is exactly what you need to break through.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic yet. With the new Role Quest system rewarding strong laning fundamentals and three chances at Victorious skins throughout the year, there's never been more reason to stay engaged with ranked.
Best of luck on the Rift.
