League of Legends: the year starts with a season For Demacia
2026 has just begun. The festivities are now over. It is therefore time for Riot Games to bring new blood to its League of Legends. This involves the deployment of patch 26.01. More elegantly, this allows the introduction of season 1 of this new year, namely the aptly named For Demacia. A new mini-game, revised overall rhythm, new mechanics, and more are to be discovered right now.
Defend your values to make the light shine
At the end of last year, Riot Games unveiled a magnificent cinematic nearly five minutes long, signed by Fortiche Production, to close the narrative arc of 2025. The end of one arc only marks the beginning of another. For 2026, the development team invites us to join Demacia, a military kingdom located in the lands of Runeterra. This kingdom defends values that every white knight must share. Justice, virtue, and the values of unity are the three fundamental pillars of this kingdom whose influence extends to the Summoner's Rift.
When darkness spreads, there is a place where the light shines... enough to instill hope. It is time for the rescue. To give you a glimpse of what's to come, the studio has unveiled an intense cinematic produced in partnership with Unit Image and Ben Hibon. Turn up the volume and enjoy the song "Forts" performed by Mary Clare Clemons. The story will develop over the acts but also through animated comics. A small but significant note, the update of Shyvana will be integrated into act 2. Her two forms have been reworked, at least visually, as her skills will remain unchanged. While waiting to discover her, they can start in Demacia Rising, a new mini-game that requires evolving the kingdom throughout the season.
A season aimed at enhancing the strategic aspect
If League of Legends remains a reference in its genre despite the years, it is because the studio continually improves, refines, and enriches the gameplay. With this new season, it continues to bring notable changes. The goal this year is to enhance the strategic aspect of the battles. In broad terms, Riot Games will emphasize the importance of roles. This translates immediately into the update of role quests. These vary depending on the character's role, just like the rewards that come from them, which are unique and linked to it.
To add some punch to the game, the overall pace of the game is accelerated. In other words, players confront minions and monsters more quickly. Additionally, they must select their champion more rapidly. Several other elements will be adjusted accordingly, and everyone will be able to discover new game mechanics. You surely know this, but the hallmark of great studios is having an ear to hear the voices from the community. This is why Riot Games has decided to extend the ARAM: Mayhem, which will even get a major update with patch 26.03. This will be deployed later.
Finally, as it is important to protect players from malicious individuals, the studio works to ensure everyone's experience. In the coming weeks, it will deploy a new system that will allow end a lobby if a person likely to spoil the experience of others is detected there.
Skins and a glimpse of the future
A new season is an opportunity to change skins. For this, fans of League of Legends will be able to acquire various new skins, whether or not they are related to the lore of Demacia. It starts with the prestige veiled lady Morgana skin available at the beginning of the season. The prestige skins of Sona and Morderkaiser will be available later. You can also expect the Battle Academy skins for Briar and Samira in the next update and mecha skins for Galio and Ornn. Then, and this is not a joke, skins will be offered on April 1st, without any particular theme. It will be a surprise. Then, expect new features for the Lunar Festival and the launch of Act 2. In the latter case, we are promised to highlight the dark side of Demacia... Finally, during the season, you will be able to visit the Sanctuary to acquire the Viego's Exalted skin.
This year 2026 will be rich in events around the game, especially on the eSports scene. Between the First Stand, the Mid-Season Invitational, and the Worlds 2026, the best teams will have the opportunity to shine by demonstrating their talent. But that's not all, as Riot Games intends to continue regularly updating the game. They also give a glimpse of their long-term vision. Even though details will be communicated later, the team intends to take the experience even further with a revamp that will notably welcome new players. On the technical side, there will also be changes with the integration of a new client. Of course, you can also expect a revamped Summoner's Rift and several rune modifications.
Cover and article image: Riot Games®
