All League of Legends Champions by Release Date (2026)
League of Legends is a multiplayer game developed by Riot Games, where two teams of five players compete to destroy the enemy's base. Champions are the playable characters you control in a match. Each champion has a unique set of abilities, stats, and playstyle that determines how they fight, support teammates, or control the game.
At the start of each match, every player picks one champion and bans another, then uses that champion's kit to help their team secure victory. Since the game's launch, Riot Games has expanded the roster, releasing new champions that introduce fresh mechanics and playstyles to the game. In this article, we'll explore all League of Legends champions in chronological order, from the earliest releases to the most recent additions.
LoL Champions in Chronological Order
League of Legends launched in October 2009 with 40 champions, and Riot Games has been steadily expanding the roster ever since. As of 2026, the roster stands at 172 champions, with Zaahen being the most recent addition in November 2025. The table below lists every League of Legends champion in chronological order by release date.
# | Champion | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
1 | Alistar | February 21, 2009 |
2 | Annie | February 21, 2009 |
3 | Ashe | February 21, 2009 |
4 | Fiddlesticks | February 21, 2009 |
5 | Jax | February 21, 2009 |
6 | Kayle | February 21, 2009 |
7 | Master Yi | February 21, 2009 |
8 | Morgana | February 21, 2009 |
9 | Nunu & Willump | February 21, 2009 |
10 | Ryze | February 21, 2009 |
11 | Sion | February 21, 2009 |
12 | Sivir | February 21, 2009 |
13 | Soraka | February 21, 2009 |
14 | Teemo | February 21, 2009 |
15 | Tristana | February 21, 2009 |
16 | Twisted Fate | February 21, 2009 |
17 | Warwick | February 21, 2009 |
18 | Singed | April 18, 2009 |
19 | Zilean | April 18, 2009 |
20 | Evelynn | May 1, 2009 |
21 | Tryndamere | May 1, 2009 |
22 | Twitch | May 1, 2009 |
23 | Karthus | June 12, 2009 |
24 | Amumu | June 26, 2009 |
25 | Cho'Gath | June 26, 2009 |
26 | Anivia | July 10, 2009 |
27 | Rammus | July 10, 2009 |
28 | Veigar | July 24, 2009 |
29 | Kassadin | August 7, 2009 |
30 | Gangplank | August 19, 2009 |
31 | Taric | August 19, 2009 |
32 | Blitzcrank | September 2, 2009 |
33 | Dr. Mundo | September 2, 2009 |
34 | Janna | September 2, 2009 |
35 | Malphite | September 2, 2009 |
36 | Corki | September 19, 2009 |
37 | Katarina | September 19, 2009 |
38 | Nasus | October 1, 2009 |
39 | Heimerdinger | October 10, 2009 |
40 | Shaco | October 10, 2009 |
41 | Udyr | December 2, 2009 |
42 | Nidalee | December 17, 2009 |
43 | Poppy | January 13, 2010 |
44 | Pantheon | February 2, 2010 |
45 | Gragas | February 2, 2010 |
46 | Mordekaiser | February 24, 2010 |
47 | Ezreal | March 16, 2010 |
48 | Shen | March 24, 2010 |
49 | Kennen | April 8, 2010 |
50 | Garen | April 27, 2010 |
51 | Akali | May 11, 2010 |
52 | Malzahar | June 1, 2010 |
53 | Olaf | June 9, 2010 |
54 | Kog'Maw | June 24, 2010 |
55 | Xin Zhao | July 13, 2010 |
56 | Vladimir | July 27, 2010 |
57 | Galio | August 10, 2010 |
58 | Urgot | August 24, 2010 |
59 | Miss Fortune | September 8, 2010 |
60 | Sona | September 21, 2010 |
61 | Swain | October 5, 2010 |
62 | Lux | October 19, 2010 |
63 | LeBlanc | November 2, 2010 |
64 | Irelia | November 16, 2010 |
65 | Trundle | December 1, 2010 |
66 | Cassiopeia | December 14, 2010 |
67 | Caitlyn | January 4, 2011 |
68 | Renekton | January 18, 2011 |
69 | Karma | February 1, 2011 |
70 | Maokai | February 16, 2011 |
71 | Jarvan IV | March 1, 2011 |
72 | Nocturne | March 15, 2011 |
73 | Lee Sin | April 1, 2011 |
74 | Brand | April 12, 2011 |
75 | Rumble | April 26, 2011 |
76 | Vayne | May 10, 2011 |
77 | Orianna | June 1, 2011 |
78 | Yorick | June 22, 2011 |
79 | Leona | July 13, 2011 |
80 | Wukong | July 26, 2011 |
81 | Skarner | August 9, 2011 |
82 | Talon | August 24, 2011 |
83 | Riven | September 14, 2011 |
84 | Xerath | October 5, 2011 |
85 | Graves | October 19, 2011 |
86 | Shyvana | November 1, 2011 |
87 | Fizz | November 15, 2011 |
88 | Volibear | November 29, 2011 |
89 | Ahri | December 14, 2011 |
90 | Viktor | December 29, 2011 |
91 | Sejuani | January 17, 2012 |
92 | Ziggs | February 1, 2012 |
93 | Nautilus | February 14, 2012 |
94 | Fiora | February 29, 2012 |
95 | Lulu | March 20, 2012 |
96 | Hecarim | April 18, 2012 |
97 | Varus | May 8, 2012 |
98 | Darius | May 23, 2012 |
99 | Draven | June 6, 2012 |
100 | Jayce | July 7, 2012 |
101 | Zyra | July 24, 2012 |
102 | Diana | August 7, 2012 |
103 | Rengar | August 21, 2012 |
104 | Syndra | September 13, 2012 |
105 | Kha'Zix | September 27, 2012 |
106 | Elise | October 26, 2012 |
107 | Zed | November 13, 2012 |
108 | Nami | December 7, 2012 |
109 | Vi | December 19, 2012 |
110 | Thresh | January 23, 2013 |
111 | Quinn | March 1, 2013 |
112 | Zac | March 29, 2013 |
113 | Lissandra | April 30, 2013 |
114 | Aatrox | June 13, 2013 |
115 | Lucian | August 22, 2013 |
116 | Jinx | October 10, 2013 |
117 | Yasuo | December 13, 2013 |
118 | Vel'Koz | February 27, 2014 |
119 | Braum | May 12, 2014 |
120 | Gnar | August 14, 2014 |
121 | Azir | September 16, 2014 |
122 | Kalista | November 20, 2014 |
123 | Rek'Sai | December 11, 2014 |
124 | Bard | March 12, 2015 |
125 | Ekko | May 29, 2015 |
126 | Tahm Kench | July 9, 2015 |
127 | Kindred | October 14, 2015 |
128 | Illaoi | November 24, 2015 |
129 | Jhin | February 1, 2016 |
130 | Aurelion Sol | March 24, 2016 |
131 | Taliyah | May 18, 2016 |
132 | Kled | August 10, 2016 |
133 | Ivern | October 5, 2016 |
134 | Camille | December 7, 2016 |
135 | Rakan | April 19, 2017 |
136 | Xayah | April 19, 2017 |
137 | Kayn | July 12, 2017 |
138 | Ornn | August 23, 2017 |
139 | Zoe | November 21, 2017 |
140 | Kai'Sa | March 7, 2018 |
141 | Pyke | May 31, 2018 |
142 | Neeko | December 5, 2018 |
143 | Sylas | January 25, 2019 |
144 | Yuumi | May 14, 2019 |
145 | Qiyana | June 28, 2019 |
146 | Senna | November 10, 2019 |
147 | Aphelios | December 11, 2019 |
148 | Sett | January 14, 2020 |
149 | Lillia | July 22, 2020 |
150 | Yone | August 6, 2020 |
151 | Samira | September 21, 2020 |
152 | Seraphine | October 29, 2020 |
153 | Rell | December 10, 2020 |
154 | Viego | January 21, 2021 |
155 | Gwen | April 15, 2021 |
156 | Akshan | July 22, 2021 |
157 | Vex | September 23, 2021 |
158 | Zeri | January 20, 2022 |
159 | Renata Glasc | February 17, 2022 |
160 | Bel'Veth | June 9, 2022 |
161 | Nilah | July 13, 2022 |
162 | K'Sante | November 2, 2022 |
163 | Milio | March 23, 2023 |
164 | Naafiri | July 19, 2023 |
165 | Briar | September 14, 2023 |
166 | Hwei | December 5, 2023 |
167 | Smolder | January 31, 2024 |
168 | Aurora | July 17, 2024 |
169 | Ambessa | November 6, 2024 |
170 | Mel | January 23, 2025 |
171 | Yunara | July 16, 2025 |
172 | Zaahen | November 19, 2025 |
The champion release pace tells a clear story about how Riot Games has approached development over the years. The early era from 2009 to 2011 was defined by rapid expansion, with dozens of champions released each year to build out the game's roster. From 2012 onward, the pace started slowing down as Riot focused more on design depth, unique mechanics, and richer lore. Recent years have settled at just a handful of releases annually, but each champion now comes with far more polish, voice lines, and mechanical complexity than the originals.
Also Read: Rarest League of Legends Skins and How To Get Them
How to Get Champions
There are three main ways to unlock champions in League of Legends:
Blue Essence is the free in-game currency you earn through the Battle Pass. Champion prices range from 225 BE for older, beginner-friendly picks all the way up to 3,150 BE for the newest releases.
Riot Points are the premium currency purchased with real money. Buying champions with RP is the fastest method, but it comes at a cost. Champion prices range from 260 RP on the lower end up to 975 RP for newer releases.
Champion shards can drop from Champion Capsules, Hextech Chests, and battle pass rewards. When you receive a shard for a champion you want to unlock, you can upgrade it permanently using a reduced amount of Blue Essence, typically 60% of the champion's full BE price. If you get a shard for a champion you already own or don't want, you can disenchant it for Blue Essence instead.
Final Words
League of Legends has come a long way from its 40-champion launch roster in 2009 to over 170 champions available today. Whether you're unlocking them through Blue Essence, Riot Points, or champion shards, there's no shortage of options to build your collection and find a playstyle that suits you.
“ Mustafa Atteya has been writing about gaming and esports since 2023, specializing in competitive game content and player improvement guides. At 24, he brings both hands-on gaming experience and professional SEO writing expertise to the GameBoost team.”
