If you’ve ever wanted to try a new champion before your friends, test a game mode rework weeks before it launches, or even mess around with every skin in the League of Legends catalog for free, you’ve probably wondered how to play on the League of Legends PBE. Many new players assume PBE access is restricted only to pro players or content creators, but that’s not the case at all. Almost any player in good standing can get access to the test server in just a few minutes, as long as they follow the right steps. This guide covers everything you need to know about eligibility, sign-up, in-server rules, and common mistakes to avoid so you can start testing new content right away.
Eligibility Requirements to Play on the League of Legends PBE
Before you start the sign-up process, it’s important to confirm you meet Riot’s basic eligibility rules to avoid getting rejected immediately. First, your main live League of Legends account must be at least level 30, with no permanent bans or restrictions on record. You also can’t have any active chat, game, or account restrictions in the 90 days before you apply for PBE access. You don’t need to pay for PBE access despite what some third-party sites might claim; it is completely free for all eligible players. Your PBE account is also completely separate from your live account, so none of your live rank, skins, blue essence, or RP will carry over to the test server. Most regions are eligible for PBE access now, though a small number of restricted regions may still get an error during the sign-up process.
Step-by-Step Process to Sign Up and Log Into the PBE
The entire sign-up process takes less than 10 minutes if you meet all the eligibility requirements. Follow these steps exactly to avoid common login or access issues later:
- First, head to the official Riot PBE sign-up page and log in with your main League of Legends account credentials. Riot will run an automatic instant check to confirm your account meets all eligibility rules.
- If your account is approved, you’ll get an on-screen prompt to create a unique PBE account username and password. Save these details somewhere safe, as you’ll use them only for PBE logins, not for your main live account.
- Next, open your Riot Client if you already have it installed, or download it from the official site if you don’t. Select the "League of Legends PBE" option from the game dropdown menu in the top left corner of the client.
- Install the PBE client. It is a separate installation from your live League client, so make sure you have at least 20GB of free storage space on your device before you start the download.
- Once installation is complete, log in with the PBE account credentials you created earlier, and you’ll be taken directly to the PBE main menu to queue for games.
If you get a rejection notice when you apply, don’t stress. Most rejections are for minor issues like a recent 14-day chat restriction or your account being a few levels below 30. You can reapply 90 days after your last account penalty is lifted, and most players get approved on their second try. You can only have one PBE account per main live account, so don’t try to create multiple PBE accounts, as that will result in a permanent ban from the test server. It’s also important to note that if you change the email linked to your main live account, you won’t need to update it for your PBE account, as the two are completely separate even if you play on the League of Legends PBE regularly.
Key Things to Know Before Your First PBE Match
The PBE is a test server first and foremost, so it works very differently from the live League server you’re used to playing on. The biggest perk for most new players is that all PBE accounts get unlimited RP and blue essence as soon as they’re created. That means you can buy every champion, skin, chroma, ward skin, and emoticon in the game immediately, no grinding required. That said, there are a few downsides you should expect. The PBE has a much smaller player base than live servers, so queue times can be significantly longer, especially for ranked or less popular game modes. Ranked PBE is also only available during specific test windows when Riot is testing balance changes or new ranked features. You will also run into bugs constantly, from minor visual glitches to champions whose abilities don’t work at all. That’s the entire point of the server, after all: Riot uses player feedback to fix these issues before content rolls out to live servers. If you find a bug, you can submit a report directly through the in-game feedback tool, and Riot occasionally gives out small rewards for reports of critical, unreported bugs. If you play on the League of Legends PBE regularly, you’ll also get early access to event content weeks before it drops on live servers. Behavior rules are also stricter on the PBE than live servers. Riot wants a positive, focused environment for testing, so even minor toxic behavior can result in you losing PBE access permanently, even if your main live account remains in good standing.
Common PBE Mistakes New Players Should Avoid
A lot of first-time PBE players make simple, avoidable mistakes that ruin their experience or even get them banned from the server entirely. The most serious mistake is leaking unreleased content that Riot hasn’t officially announced yet. If you log in and find an unannounced champion, game mode, or skin that hasn’t been shared on official Riot channels, don’t post screenshots, clips, or details about it on social media. Riot actively scans social platforms for PBE leaks, and you will lose your access immediately if you’re caught sharing unreleased content. Another common mistake is going into PBE matches expecting the same experience as live servers. You will run into players testing weird, broken builds on purpose, or testing ability interactions that have nothing to do with winning the game. Don’t get frustrated if your team isn’t playing to win; that’s part of the testing process. You also shouldn’t skip submitting feedback when you run into issues. A lot of players only use the PBE to try out new skins for free, but the feedback players submit is what makes the live server experience better for everyone. Even a short note about a visual glitch or an ability that doesn’t work as described helps Riot fix issues faster. Don’t use your main account credentials to log into the PBE client either, that’s one of the most common login errors new players run into. Remember you created a separate PBE account during sign-up, so use those credentials instead. If you plan to play on the League of Legends PBE long term, make sure to check the official PBE update notes regularly to see what new content is available for testing each week.
Once you get the hang of the rules and sign-up process, learning how to play on the League of Legends PBE is a fun, low-stakes way to get a first look at all the new content Riot is working on, without having to wait for official release dates. Whether you’re looking to test a new champion rework, mess around with every skin in the game for free, or just help improve the live League experience for millions of other players, the PBE has something for every type of LoL fan. Just stick to the eligibility rules, avoid the common mistakes we covered, and you’ll be queuing for your first PBE match in no time.