Riot Games' League of Legends is ground-breaking with its expansive universe, lore, and roster of over 160 playable champions and counting. There's guaranteed to be a champion to suit every player!

With different games like League of Legends: Wild Rift, TeamFight Tactics, and even the Netflix animated television series Arcane featuring beloved LoL characters, there's no end to the dedication and passion that is put into the game.

Since the game's launch in 2009, Riot Games' development team has been dedicated to bringing players new League of Legends champions to look forward to, with around 4-5 new champions usually released in a year. Over the years, Riot Games have truly mixed up the playstyles, character designs, and mechanics of their champions, breathing new life into the game for old and new players to enjoy.

If you're an avid League of Legends fan, keep reading to find all the League of Legends champion release dates!

League of Legends Champions Released in 2009

Alpha Week 2 (February 21, 2009)

League of Legends was initially intended to launch with just 20 characters, but Riot Games ended up doubling this number in the Alpha Week 2 leading up to the game's release in October, 2009. This is the most LoL champions the development team ever released in one year.

  • Alistar, the Minotaur
  • Annie, the Dark Child
  • Ashe, the Frost Archer
  • Fiddlesticks, the Ancient Fear
  • Jax, Grandmaster at Arms
  • Kayle, the Righteous
  • Master Yi, the Wuju Bladesman
  • Morgana, the Fallen
  • Nunu and Willump, the Boy and His Yeti
  • Ryze, the Rune Mage
  • Sion, the Undead Juggernaut
  • Sivir, the Battle Mistress
  • Soraka, the Starchild
  • Teemo, the Swift Scout
  • Tristana, the Yordle Gunner
  • Twisted Fate, the Card Master
  • Warwick, the Uncaged Wrath of Zaun

Other 2009 League of Legends Champion Release Dates

  • Singed, the Mad Chemist (April 18, 2009)
  • Zilean, the Chronokeeper (April 18, 2009)
  • Evelynn, Agony's Embrace (May 1, 2009)
  • Tryndamere, the Barbarian King (May 1, 2009)
  • Twitch, the Plague Rat (May 1, 2009)
  • Karthus, the Deathsinger (June 12, 2009)
  • Amumu, the Sad Mummy (June 26, 2009)
  • Cho'Gath, the Terror of the Void (June 26, 2009)
  • Anivia, the Cryophoenix (July 10, 2009)
  • Rammus, the Armordillo (July 10, 2009)
  • Veigar, the Tiny Master of Evil (July 24, 2009)
  • Kassadin, the Void Walker (August 7, 2009)
  • Gangplank, the Saltwater Scourge (August 19, 2009)
  • Taric, the Shield of Valoran (August 19, 2009)
  • Blitzcrank, the Great Steam Golem (September 2, 2009)
  • Dr. Mundo, the Madman of Zaun (September 2, 2009)
  • Janna, the Storm's Fury (September 2, 2009)
  • Malphite, Shard of the Monolith (September 2, 2009)
  • Corki, the Daring Bombardier (September 19, 2009)
  • Katarina, the Sinister Blade (September 19, 2009)
  • Nasus, the Curator of the Sands (October 1, 2009)
  • Heimerdinger, the Revered Inventor (October 10, 2009)
  • Shaco, the Demon Jester (October 10, 2009)
  • Udyr, the Spirit Walker (December 2, 2009)
  • Nidalee, the Bestial Huntress (December 17, 2009)
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League of Legends Champion Released In 2010

  • Poppy, Keeper of the Hammer (January 13, 2010)
  • Gragas, the Rabble Rouser (February 2, 2010)
  • Pantheon, the Unbreakable Spear (February 2, 2010)
  • Mordekaiser, the Iron Revenant (February 24, 2010)
  • Ezreal, the Prodigal Explorer (March 16, 2010)
  • Shen, the Eye of Twilight (March 24, 2010)
  • Kennen, the Heart of the Tempest (April 8, 2010)
  • Garen, the Might of Demacia (April 27, 2010)
  • Akali, the Rogue Assassin (May 11, 2010)
  • Malzahar, the Prophet of the Void (June 1, 2010)
  • Olaf, the Berserker (June 9, 2010)
  • Kog'Maw, the Mouth of the Abyss (June 24, 2010)
  • Xin Zhao, the Seneschal of Demacia (July 13, 2010)
  • Vladimir, the Crimson Reaper (July 27, 2010)
  • Galio, the Colossus (August 10, 2010)
  • Urgot, the Dreadnought (August 24, 2010)
  • Miss Fortune, the Bounty Hunter (September 8, 2010)
  • Sona, Maven of the Strings (September 21, 2010)
  • Swain, the Noxian Grand General (October 5, 2010)
  • Lux, the Lady of Luminosity (October 19, 2010)
  • LeBlanc, the Deceiver (November 2, 2010)
  • Irelia, the Blade Dancer (November 16, 2010)
  • Trundle, the Troll King (December 1, 2010)
  • Cassiopeia, the Serpent's Embrace (December 14, 2010)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2011

  • Caitlyn, the Sheriff of Piltover (January 4, 2011)
  • Renekton, the Butcher of the Sands (January 18, 2011)
  • Karma, the Enlightened One (February 1, 2011)
  • Maokai, the Twisted Treant (February 16, 2011)
  • Jarvan IV, the Exemplar of Demacia (March 1, 2011)
  • Nocturne, the Eternal Nightmare (March 15, 2011)
  • Lee Sin, the Blind Monk (April 1, 2011)
  • Brand, the Burning Vengeance (April 12, 2011)
  • Rumble, the Mechanized Menace (April 26, 2011)
  • Vayne, the Night Hunter (May 10, 2011)
  • Orianna, the Lady of Clockwork (June 1, 2011)
  • Yorick, Shepard of Souls (June 22, 2011)
  • Leona, the Radiant Dawn (July 13, 2011)
  • Wukong, the Monkey King (July 26, 2011)
  • Skarner, the Crystal Vanguard (August 9, 2011)
  • Talon, the Blade's Shadow (August 24, 2011)
  • Riven, the Exile (September 14, 2011)
  • Xerath, the Magus Ascendant (October 5, 2011)
  • Graves, the Outlaw (October 19, 2011)
  • Shyvana, the Half-Dragon (November 1, 2011)
  • Fizz, the Tidal Trickster (November 15, 2011)
  • Volibear, the Relentless Storm (November 29, 2011)
  • Ahri, the Nine-Tailed Fox (December 14, 2011)
  • Viktor, the Machine Herald (December 29, 2011)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2012

  • Sejuani, Fury of the North (January 17, 2012)
  • Ziggs, the Hexplosives Expert (February 1, 2012)
  • Nautilus, the Titan of the Depths (February 14, 2012)
  • Fiora, the Grand Duelist (February 29, 2012)
  • Lulu, the Fae Sorceress (March 20, 2012)
  • Hecarim, the Shadow of War (April 18, 2012)
  • Varus, the Arrow of Retribution (May 8, 2012)
  • Darius, the Hand of Noxus (May 23, 2012)
  • Draven, the Glorious Executioner (June 6, 2012)
  • Jayce, the Defender of Tomorrow (July 7, 2012)
  • Zyra, Rise of the Thorns (July 24, 2012)
  • Diana, Scorn of the Moon (August 7, 2012)
  • Rengar, the Pridestalker (August 21, 2012)
  • Syndra, the Dark Sovereign (September 13, 2012)
  • Kha'Zix, the Voidreaver (September 27, 2012)
  • Elise, the Spider Queen (October 26, 2012)
  • Zed, the Master of Shadows (November 13, 2012)
  • Nami, the Tidecaller (December 7, 2012)
  • Vi, the Piltover Enforcer (December 19, 2012)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2013

  • Thresh, the Chain Warden (January 23, 2013)
  • Quinn, Demacia's Wings (March 1, 2013)
  • Zac, the Secret Weapon (March 29, 2013)
  • Lissandra, the Ice Witch (April 30, 2023)
  • Aatrox, the Darkin Blade (June 13, 2013)
  • Lucian, the Purifier (August 22, 2013)
  • Jinx, the Loose Cannon (October 10, 2013)
  • Yasuo, the Unforgiven (December 13, 2013)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2014

  • Vel'Koz, the Eye of the Void (February 27, 2014)
  • Braum, the Heart of the Freljord (May 12, 2014)
  • Gnar, the Missing Link (August 14, 2014)
  • Azir, the Emperor of the Sands (September 16, 2014)
  • Kalista, the Spear of Vengeance (November 20, 2014)
  • Rek'Sai, the Void Burrower (December 11, 2014)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2015

  • Bard, the Wandering Caretaker (March 12, 2015)
  • Ekko, the Boy Who Shattered Time (May 29, 2015)
  • Tahm Kench, the River King (July 9, 2015)
  • Kindred, the Eternal Hunters (October 14, 2015)
  • Illaoi, the Kraken Priestess (November 24, 2015)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2016

  • Jhin, the Virtuoso (February 1, 2016)
  • Aurelion Sol, the Star Forger (March 24, 2016)
  • Taliyah, the Stoneweaver (May 18, 2016)
  • Kled, the Cantankerous Cavalier (August 10, 2016)
  • Ivern, the Green Father (October 5, 2016)
  • Camille, the Steel Shadow (December 7, 2016)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2017

  • Rakan, the Charmer (April 19, 2017)
  • Xayah, the Rebel (April 19, 2017)
  • Kayn, the Shadow Reaper (July 12, 2017)
  • Ornn, the Fire Below the Mountain (August 23, 2017)
  • Zoe, the Aspect of Twilight (November 21, 2017)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2018

  • Kai'Sa, Daughter of the Void (March 7, 2018)
  • Pyke, the Bloodharbor Ripper (May 21, 2018)
  • Neeko, the Curious Chameleon (December 5, 2018)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2019

  • Sylas, the Unshackled (January 25, 2019)
  • Yuumi, the Magical Cat (May 14, 2019)
  • Qiyana, Empress of the Elements (June 28, 2019)
  • Senna the Redeemer (November 10, 2019)
  • Aphelios, the Weapon of the Faithful (December 11, 2019)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2020

  • Sett, the Boss (January 14, 2020)
  • Lillia, the Bashful Bloom (July 22, 2020)
  • Yone, the Unforgotten (August 6, 2020)
  • Samira, the Desert Rose (September 21, 2020)
  • Seraphine, the Starry-Eyed Songstress (October 29, 2020)
  • Rell, the Iron Maiden (December 10, 2020)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2021

  • Viego, the Ruined King (January 21, 2021)
  • Gwen, the Hallowed Seamstress (April 15, 2021)
  • Akshan, the Rogue Sentinel (July 22, 2021)
  • Vex, the Gloomist (September 23, 2021)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2022

  • Zeri, the Spark of Zaun (January 20, 2022)
  • Renata Glasc, the Chem-Baroness (February 17, 2022)
  • Bel'Veth, the Empress of the Void (June 9, 2022)
  • Nilah, the Joy Unbound (July 17, 2022)
  • K'Sante, the Pride of Nazumah (November 3, 2022)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2023

  • Milio, the Gentle Flame (March 22, 2023)
  • Naafiri, the Hound of a Hundred Bites (July 20, 2023)
  • Briar, the Unrestrained Hunger (September 14, 2023)
  • Hwei, the Visionary (December 6, 2023)

League of Legends Champions Released In 2024

  • Smolder, the Fiery Fledgling (January 31, 2024)

Final Thoughts

That was a complete list of all the champions currently in League of Legends, ordered according to their release dates. When the next League champion hits the rift, we will be sure to update this article accordingly!

If you want more League of Legends content, we have a guide to ARAM, all the dragons and their buffs, the rarest skins, and the latest patch notes on our blog!

FAQs about League of Legends champions

How do I unlock champions in League of Legends?

Players can unlock new champions by spending Blue Essence, an -in-game currency earned through playing the game and leveling up. Players can also purchase Riot Points, or RP, with real-life money to unlock champions faster.

How many champions are in League of Legends?

Currently, the League of Legends roster boasts 165 champions following the release of Naafiri, the first champion designed like an animal since Yuumi in 2019.

Where can players find accurate information on LoL champion releases?

You can follow our blog for all the latest patch notes about new champions. Alternatively, you can visit the official League of Legends website, where Riot Games post important announcements.

Who are the newest League of Legends champions?

2023 has been slow for Riot Games releasing new champions to Summoner's Rift. Milio was the first male enchanter introduced to the game since Rakan in 2019. Naafiri will be the second champion released in 2023 and the second of the Darkin champions. Briar also released in 2023 with LoL patch 13.18.

Who will be the next League of Legends champion?

Riot Games have revealed that Hwei the Visionary will be the next League of Legends champion to grace the Rift. He has over ten different spell combinations and will go live on December 6, 2023. In their roadmap for 2024, Riot Games reveal a "cute monster" champion and another Vastayan character as two champions coming next year.