If you’re just dipping your toes into the world of MOBAs, you’ve probably typed “how much is league of legends” into a search bar at least once. You’ve likely heard friends rave about it, seen clips of pro plays online, and wondered if you have to drop a bunch of cash just to join the fun. The short answer is that the core game is 100% free to play, but there are optional purchases that can add up depending on how you engage with the game. I’ve been playing LoL on and off for 8 years, so I’ve seen every type of spending habit from players who never spend a cent to those who drop hundreds every year on limited content. We’re breaking down every possible cost you might run into, so you can decide what’s worth it for your playstyle.
How Much Is League of Legends if You Only Play for Free?
The base game requires no upfront payment, and you get access to every single game mode from the second you make your account. That includes Summoner’s Rift ranked play, ARAM, rotating game modes like URF, and all event game modes that release throughout the year. You also get a rotating roster of 16 free champions every week, so you can test out different playstyles without committing to unlocking anything permanently.
All champions can be unlocked for free using Blue Essence, a currency you earn after every match, plus bonus amounts for your first win of the day, level up rewards, and event challenges. There are currently over 160 champions in the game, and dedicated free players can unlock their full roster in around 18 to 24 months of regular play, depending on how much they grind. There are zero pay-to-win mechanics in League of Legends, so free players have the exact same competitive advantage as players who spend thousands.
The only content you can’t access for free is cosmetic, including skins, emotes, ward skins, and profile customization items. None of these items impact gameplay at all, so you never have to spend money to climb ranks, play with friends, or enjoy the full core experience of the game. New players also get a welcome bundle of 10 free champions after completing their first few matches, so you don’t have to grind for weeks just to find a champion you click with.
Common Optional Purchases for Casual Players
Most casual players spend very little on the game, if anything at all, and only buy items that appeal to their personal preferences. The most popular purchase for casual players is champion skins, which change the appearance, animations, and sometimes voice lines of your favorite champions. Skins range from $5 for basic recolors to $25 for ultimate-tier skins with fully custom effects and voice acting.
The other common purchase for casual players is the bi-monthly battle pass, which costs around $10 per pass. Each battle pass is tied to a seasonal event, and you earn rewards as you play matches and complete event challenges. Rewards include skins, Blue Essence, Orange Essence (used to unlock skin shards for free), emotes, and premium currency. If you complete 100% of the battle pass, you earn enough premium currency to buy the next battle pass for free, so you can technically run an endless cycle of passes with a single $10 investment if you play consistently enough.
Casual players who only log in a few hours a week usually spend between $0 and $50 per year on the game, depending on how many skins or passes they want. I fall into this category myself: I only buy a battle pass once or twice a year when I love the featured skin line, so I spend around $20 annually total, and I’ve unlocked dozens of skins for free from random chest drops over the years.
Costs for Dedicated or Collecting-Focused Players
If you play LoL most days of the week, or you love collecting rare cosmetics for your favorite champions, your annual spend will likely be higher than the casual player average. Many dedicated players buy every battle pass, plus limited-edition skins that only release for a few weeks at a time during events. These are the most common costs for this group of players:
Dedicated players who buy every battle pass and 2 to 3 limited skins per event can expect to spend between $150 and $300 per year on the game. Collectors who want every rare mythic or vintage limited skin can spend far more, with some older, discontinued skins selling for hundreds of dollars on secondhand account marketplaces. Buying or selling LoL accounts is against Riot’s terms of service and can lead to a permanent ban on the account, so this is never a safe or recommended way to get rare skins.
Other optional costs for dedicated players include $10 name changes, $5 profile background skins, and $2 to $5 individual emotes or ward skins. These small purchases add up quickly if you buy them regularly, so it’s a good idea to set a monthly spending limit for yourself if you don’t want to go over budget.
Smart Spending Tips to Get the Most Value for Your Money
When you’re figuring out how much is league of legends for your personal budget, the biggest rule is to only spend money on things you know you’ll use regularly. There are tons of ways to save money and get free content without missing out on the customization you want, if you know what to look for.
Wait for skin sales before purchasing: Riot runs weekly sales on 10 older skins every week, with discounts up to 50% off. If you have your eye on a non-limited skin, you can almost always get it for half price if you wait a few months for it to go on sale. I’ve saved hundreds of dollars over the years by waiting for sales instead of buying skins at full price.
Only buy a battle pass if you have time to complete at least 70% of it. If you only play 2 or 3 hours a week, you won’t unlock enough rewards to make the $10 cost worth it. It’s better to save your money for passes that align with times you know you’ll be playing more often, like school breaks or holiday weeks.
If you already have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can claim free monthly LoL loot including skin shards, chests, and premium currency without any extra cost. These drops add up over time, and I’ve gotten 3 full legendary skins for free from Prime Gaming drops in the last two years alone.
Wait 24 hours before buying any limited-time content: It’s easy to get caught up in the fear of missing out when a skin is only available for a few weeks, but most limited skins come back around in rerun events once a year or so. I once bought a limited Pyke skin because I thought it looked cool, and I only played Pyke twice that whole year, so that $15 was totally wasted. Now I always wait a full day before purchasing any limited content to make sure it’s something I’ll actually use.
At the end of the day, how much is league of legends is entirely up to you and how you prefer to play. You can enjoy every part of the core game without spending a single cent, or spend a little here and there to customize your favorite champions with skins you love. The best part is there’s no pressure to spend, and no amount of spending will give you an edge over other players in matches. Whether you’re a casual player who only logs in on weekends or a dedicated ranked grinder, you can build a spending plan that fits your budget and lets you have fun with the game on your own terms.