If you’ve spent the last few weeks grinding ranked to hit that final Gold promos or test out weird off-meta builds in normals, you’ve probably asked yourself when does league of legends new season start at least once. Riot tends to follow a pretty consistent annual schedule, but there are always small shifts, pre-season tweaks, and surprise announcements that can throw even long-time players off. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about season launch timelines, what changes to expect, and how to prepare before the ranked queue goes live for the new cycle.
When Does League of Legends New Season Typically Launch?
Riot has stuck to roughly the same launch window for over 10 seasons, so it’s easy to predict even before official announcements drop. The previous ranked season always ends in mid-November, right after the League of Legends World Championship wraps up. Pre-season launches immediately after, and the official new season goes live in the second week of January. If you’re asking when does league of legends new season start because you want to plan your ranked grind, you can safely assume early January unless Riot announces otherwise.
I’ve played every LoL season since Season 3, and the only time the launch was pushed back more than 3 days was when a major game-breaking bug hit the ping system right before launch. Riot usually gives at least 2 weeks of official notice before the season goes live, so you won’t be caught off guard if you follow their official social channels. Official season launch always happens on a Wednesday, so you can mark your calendar for the second Wednesday of January as a rough estimate if there’s no official news yet. Riot also releases a pre-season patch in mid-November, a mid-pre-season balance patch in mid-December, and a final launch patch one week before the new season goes live. There are rare exceptions, like when Riot rolls out a massive core game update that needs extra testing, but those pushes are usually only a week at most. You’ll never see a season launch in late January or early February, so you can safely plan for an early January launch every year.
Key Changes That Roll Out With Each New LoL Season
The new season launch is more than just a rank reset. It’s Riot’s chance to refresh the game meta, fix long-standing issues, and add new content to keep players engaged for the year ahead. First up is the ranked soft reset: your MMR carries over from the previous season, so you won’t be placed in Iron if you ended last season in Platinum. Your placement match results will combine with your existing MMR to set your starting rank for the new season.
New seasonal ranked rewards are also unlocked for players who hit specific tiers during the season. The iconic Victorious skin is given to all players who hit Gold or higher, with bonus chromas for players who climb higher or win more games across different roles. For players who hit Master or higher, there are also extra rewards like unique profile banners and exclusive esports viewing perks for the first split of the year. Riot also often launches a new battle pass alongside the new season, with exclusive skins, emotes, and in-game currency you can earn by completing daily and weekly missions. Core gameplay updates, like map reworks, new item lines, or champion overhauls, also go live with the launch patch, after months of testing during pre-season.
Pre-Season vs Official Season: What’s the Difference?
A lot of new players mix up pre-season and the official new season, and it’s easy to see why. Ranked queues stay open during pre-season, you still gain LP and rank up, and all the new gameplay changes are already active. But there are a few key differences that matter if you care about your seasonal rank and rewards. If you’re waiting for when does league of legends new season start to start your ranked climb, pre-season is the perfect time to warm up without pressure.
Many players choose to take a break during pre-season, but I’ve always found that grinding 20-30 ranked games during this window gives me a huge advantage when the official season starts. I get a feel for the new meta, learn which champions are over-powered, and fix any bad habits I picked up during the previous season before my ranked gains count. Pre-season is the best time to test new builds and champions without risking your official ranked standing. You don’t have to grind pre-season to have a good start to the new season, but even a handful of normals to test new items will make your first few placement matches way less frustrating.
How to Prepare for the New LoL Season Before It Launches
Now that you know the rough timeline for the new season, you can take a few simple steps to make sure you’re ready to climb as soon as the ranked queue goes live. First, wrap up any unfinished rewards from the previous season: if you’re 1 win away from Gold, grind those last few games before the season ends to get your Victorious skin. These skins are never re-released, so they’re a rare flex for years after you earn them.
Second, spend some time in pre-season testing 2-3 main champions you want to main during the new season. Don’t try to learn 10 new champions at once; stick to a small pool so you can master their playstyles with the new item and map changes. Review your previous season’s match history to spot gaps in your gameplay: if you lost most of your games to early jungle ganks, practice warding patterns and map awareness during pre-season. If you struggle with team fights, spend some time playing ARAMs to get more practice in chaotic group scenarios.
Also, make sure to take a break if you’re burnt out from the previous season’s grind. A week or two away from the game will help you come back refreshed and focused when the new season starts. I’ve made the mistake of grinding non-stop through pre-season before, and I always end up burnt out by the third week of the official season, so don’t skip rest if you need it. You can also use the break to watch pro player streams and see how they’re adapting to the new meta, so you have a list of tips to test when you jump back in.
At the end of the day, Riot’s schedule for new LoL seasons is pretty consistent, so you don’t have to stress about missing the launch if you keep an eye out for official announcements in late December. Whether you’re a casual player who just wants to play normals with friends or a hardcore ranked grinder aiming for Challenger, knowing when does league of legends new season start helps you plan your grind and get the most out of every new cycle. Take advantage of pre-season to test changes, rest up if you need to, and you’ll be set to hit your rank goals faster than ever before.