Riot says it isn't making League of Legends 2, then immediately reveals massive changes that sound pretty sequel-worthy to me

League of Legends 2. It's almost like World of Warcraft 2, or Dota 3: a specter, a flicker of hope, something that could be. Well folks, it's real: Riot is working on an enhanced version of its flagship MOBA, and while it claims this new and improved game isn't LoL 2 in the traditional sense, it sounds like it may as well be. I'm getting flashbacks of Dota 2's colossal New Frontiers update from back in 2023, and I don't think I need to explain how excited I am.

Initially leaked by Bloomberg, Riot has since confirmed that it's working on a new and improved version of League of Legends. Cecilia D'Anastasio's report claims that the new version of the game will be called 'League of Legends Next,' although it's unclear whether that's a working title, or the finalized one.

In a December 18 video, Riot has since confirmed that, post-2026, it is working on "some bigger updates to League." While executive producer Paul 'Pabro' Bellezza is quick to temper the 'League of Legends 2' expectations, the few changes listed are absolutely huge.

"We want to talk about some longer-term plans for League after 2026," Pabro begins. "We're often asked if we're going to make a League of Legends 2 someday, and the answer to that has been and remains no. We've always been committed to constantly improving and updating League, from new game modes and champion updates, to balancing the game every other week and so on."

"There are some things, though, that do make the most sense as part of a larger bundle of changes," head of League studio Andrei 'Meddler' van Roon continues. "With that in mind, we've been working on some bigger updates to League."

"We're not quite ready to show you our work in progress; it's coming along well, but it's just not ready for a first look yet. We want to tell you about some of those things that, at this point, the majority of the League team are now working on."

"For starters, we're making a brand-new around-game client that's fully integrated with the in-game experience rather than being a separate application like today," Meddler says, with Pabro continuing "we're also revamping Summoner's Rift with entirely new visuals, and a bit of new gameplay."

"Plus some changes to Runes, and how you make some pre-game choices," Meddler says, while Pabro follows up with: "And we're overhauling the new player experience so that, when we're done, it should be the best time ever to get your friends into League."

"There is a bit more to this update than what we've mentioned here, and well have more to share sometime this year [2026] between MSI and Worlds. Until then, we'll still have regular dev updates on everything else [that's] going on."

"Your love and dedication to League is what drives us to make this game better," Pabro concludes. "Your voices and input are vital to League, and will help shape where we go next. So as always, thank you so much for your time, your support, and just for everything.

With the MSI final set for Sunday July 12 and LoL Worlds kicking off on Monday November 9, we can likely expect more news on this overhaul to League of Legends in the later half of 2026.

As a long-time player, this is absolutely huge. I've found that League's grown a little stagnant this year, and while 2026's initial slate of changes take aim at some of the game's biggest issues, I was still a little unconvinced. This overhaul, however, sounds absolutely huge.

I hope Riot takes some inspiration from indie rival Supervive's verticality, and really shakes up its core gameplay. Maybe we'll see a new lane? A new role? Who knows. Either way, I'm beyond excited. 2026 is going to be a great year.