League of Legends is that one friend you’ve tried to cut off like… ten times already, but somehow you still end up hanging out at 2AM, questioning all your life choices. We all know the drill: uninstall, swear you’re never touching it again, then after some time out of nowhere you’re back in Summoner’s Rift, getting stomped left and right.
So the big question is: Is League of Legends still worth playing today? Is it still fun? Or should we create some sort of anonymous support group that would help us stay away from it?
Backstory
League of Legends released in October 2009, built by a relatively unknown studio at the time: Riot Games. Their vision was simple, to create games that could be supported and monetized long-term instead of going from game to game too often. What started as a passion project inspired by the Warcraft III mod Defense of the Ancients (DotA) turned into this global game that even your grandparents know about.
What made League different, even then, was Riot’s design philosophy:
- A free-to-play game that didn’t lock gameplay behind a paywall
- Frequent updates, often weekly or biweekly
- A direct relationship with players, taking community feedback seriously
- A commitment to accessibility, which means the game could run on most hardware, which remains true to this day.
This approach allowed the game to grow exponentially. While many games in that era either took a lot of time to develop or simply relied on paid expansions, League steadily improved in real time.
They started with 40 champs and one dark themed map that was far from perfect but that was more than enough to amass over 15 million players in just one year. From there it just kept growing and improving.
Somewhere around 2011, Riot realised that people also love watching other people playing the game. So they’ve decided to create their own esport. They invested in broadcasting equipment, hired sports programming producers, and even trained pro gamers to be “TV-ready”. It became a foundation for the game’s long-term identity. Annual World Championships, regional leagues, and consistent competitive support helped transform the League into a long-lasting ecosystem rather than a short-lived trend.
Why League Still Holds Up Today
For a game that’s been around since 2009, League of Legends should feel ancient… but somehow it still dominates the gaming space. And no, it’s not just because the esports scene is huge (which it is) or because your ranked grind has you stuck silver permanently (which it has). League stays relevant because it continues to evolve without losing what made it fun in the first place.
Riot has kept the formula fresh with constant champion updates, new maps during events, and big yearly overhauls that basically give the game a meta facelift. Whether you’re a newbie learning to last-hit while your lane opponent types a novel in chat, or a veteran theory-crafting the perfect build path, the depth of gameplay means there’s always something new to master.
And the biggest upgrade over time is the accessibility. League today is far better at teaching new players how to play (not how to mute but you’ll learn that quickly too). Tutorials, beginner guides, tooltips, and recommended builds make it easier to start.
Combine that with the polished visuals, music, lore, and tie-in media like Arcane, and League isn’t just a game anymore, it’s something way bigger. It’s a multimedia empire built entirely on our inability to quit.
The main reason for my latest return to League is Mayhem ARAM. In recent years I made a switch to mostly playing ARAM, I find it way less stressful which led to me enjoying LOL more. Naturally once I heard about Mayhem mode, I simply had to try it for myself. I can’t get enough of it, it’s so addictive. Unfortunately, it ends somewhere in January, which coincidentally is also when I’ll take a break from League.
This kinda perfectly sums up my whole relationship with this game. This is also why players like me are coming back, there’s always something interesting happening in Leagueverse. It just matters what piques your interest. For example, a new champion Zaahen, I don’t really care but I assume some people might.
Conclusion
So, is League of Legends still worth playing in 2026? The short answer: yes but it depends on what you’re looking for.
For new players, League offers depth, variety, and a constantly evolving world to explore. You can jump in, find a role that fits your style, and slowly climb the learning curve without ever feeling like the game has nothing new to offer. For returning veterans, it’s still a place to test skills and enjoy the competitive grind.
I’ve had my share of crazy good moments but also the same if not more of bad/lose all of my hair moments. Which never stopped me from playing. I guess that’s League for you.
And it’s also many things but it’s far from being a dead game.
Whether you’re thinking about trying it for the first time or considering coming back after a break, the game still has something to offer. And if you’re ready to dive in, there’s a world of champions, strategies, and stories waiting for you.
Pavle is the founder of PlayForge and its lead writer and reviewer, covering PC, PS5, and mobile games, a with a focus on RPGs, MMOs, FPS games, and more. He’s been gaming since the PS2 days and now writes in-depth reviews and guides to help players find their next obsession and get gaming insights from real players, not just critics. His reviews are honest and transparent, but he always tries to stay positive, because in his opinion, almost any game can be fun if you look at it the right way.
In his free time, he likes to (obviously) play more games, spend time with his family, theorycraft about various media with his wife, and watch anime. So yes, he’s a complete nerd, even if he’ll never admit it.