League of Legends (LoL) Season 1 2026 is shaping up to feel more like a soft reset for Summoner’s Rift. Instead of sprinting from one objective to the next, you’re getting an entirely new update that puts more weight on lanes.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know before the next LoL season starts, including the nine new items, role quests, objective and vision updates, and what all of that could mean for the meta.

What’s Changing in LoL Season 1 2026?

LoL Season 1 2026 is Riot’s attempt to pull the game back from pure 5v5 objective brawls into a space where macro choices actually matter again—well, across most ranks at least. You’re still fighting for Dragons and Baron, but splitting, sieging, and side-lane pressure should feel much more rewarding.

The upcoming LoL update leans on four pillars: faster early tempo, fewer “must-do” objectives, more satisfying pushing, and role quests that give every position its own way to carry. Everything is already being tested on PBE and will ship with Patch 26.1 in January 2026.

Here’s a quick overview of what’s changing in LoL Season 1 2026.

Faster Starts And New Early-Game Tempo in LoL

One of the most noticeable tweaks lands before laning even starts. Minions will now spawn at 30 seconds, instead of 65, as part of the LoL patch 26.1 changes. The first jungle camp timers will also follow the same pattern.

Invasions are still possible, but you will have to commit to it almost immediately. That should make Level 1 calls more decisive and risky. Early paths, cheese ganks, and first waves will all feel much tighter.

Neutral Objective Changes: Atakhan & Baron Changes In LoL 2026

Atakhan was a cool experiment, but he added one more objective on top of all the others, which reduced macro play to mostly fighting around objectives. For the LoL objective changes in 2026, Atakhan, his Blood Roses and Petals are gone. Baron Nashor goes back to spawning at 20 minutes like previous seasons.

Feats of Strength are also being removed. They were a good way to nudge League of Legends games forward, but Riot wants to add more individual-agency systems instead. To compensate, First Blood and First Turret gold return as discrete rewards: 100 gold and 300 gold, respectively.

Epic Monsters, Rewards, Comebacks

Epic monsters in LoL are being reshaped again to be more about commitment and less about punishment. All epic monsters become 15% more durable, with Dragon Vengeance stacking even harder as teams pick up dragon buffs.

Gold rewards drop slightly, while more power shifts into the buffs they grant. Voidgrubs and Rift Herald gain slightly more powerful effects, and comeback potential from dragons and Baron is buffed. Baron steals and late-game flips will be more impactful compared to the previous season.

Level-Based Scaling for Objectives

To make LoL objectives more predictable, all epic monsters now scale with champion level rather than game time. That means that fights at the same level should feel similar across game states. Objective fights should feel less random and more tied to how far champions have actually progressed.

Vision Updates: Faelights, Trinkets & Extra Scryer’s Blooms

Vision has been heavily focused on LoL’s support role for years, and Riot wants to spread that responsibility across other roles as well. This is where the new Faelights come in—preset locations on the map where a placed ward grants extra vision beyond normal ward range. 

Different Faelights will appear during various stages of the game.

Yellow Trinkets will now recharge faster, giving every role more consistent access to basic vision. This should make it feel less like only supports can buy meaningful wards. Also, extra Scryer’s Blooms are being added in spots that help trapped teams leave their base.

Splitpushing & Sieging Changes

To make pushing feel more rewarding, Riot is adding a new effect called Crystalline Overgrowth.

Over time, crystals will grow on towers that haven’t been hit, and when you damage them, those crystals will explode for a burst of extra turret damage. It’s basically the Demolish rune, but for everyone.

This is why the Demolish rune is also getting changed. Landing three consecutive hits on a tower will deal bonus damage to the structure. It’s cleaner and easier to use, and plays nicely with the new Overgrowth system.

Plates & Waves

To make every push feel rewarding, Riot is making essential changes to splitpushing in LoL. Instead of getting rid of turret plates after a certain amount of time, they will now remain a permanent part of the map and will extend to inner and inhibitor turrets.

Mid and late game waves now spawn faster with slightly fewer minions, so pressure builds more often. These changes mean that splitpush champions in LoL, like Fiora, Jax, and Yorick, will rise in priority, and teamfight tanks may become slightly weaker in the upcoming meta.

New LoL Season 1 Items: Return of Gunblade and Stormrazor

Riot is adding nine new LoL items and reintroducing two classics: Hextech Gunblade and Stormrazor. The goal is to give underserved sub-classes at least one option to get excited about, rather than forcing everyone to follow similar build paths.

Most of the power from the new LoL items will come from unique passives, actives, and scaling patterns rather than raw stats.

Here is a list of new and returning items with a brief description. Keep in mind that Riot Phreak confirmed that the item names are not official and are currently placeholders.

Role Quests in League of Legends 2026

One of the most significant structural system changes is the new LoL role quest system, which gives top, mid, and ADC their own unique quest line, similar to how jungle pets and support items work.

Here is a quick snapshot of the new role quest rewards in LoL:

• Top lane: Free Teleport variant or upgraded TP shield if you already have this spell. Bonus XP and extended level cap
• Mid lane: Free Tier 3 boots and empowered 4-second recall
• ADC: Additional gold from minions and an additional item slot
• Jungle: More gold/XP from large monsters and bonus MS in the jungle
• Support: Dedicated control-ward slot, ward discounts, and more passive gold

Top Lane Quest Rewards

For the top lane, LoL role quests grant a free long-cooldown Teleport or a shielded Teleport upgrade if TP is already taken, along with bonus XP and a higher level cap. This could completely transform the role and make end-game top lane carries feel like raid bosses.

It also allows players to take more aggressive summoner spells like Ignite to win their lane without fearing that the lack of Teleport will cost them in the late game. Overall, this change should benefit scaling top lane champions who can win their lane and apply side lane pressure.

Mid Lane Quest Rewards

Mid laners get a free Tier 3 boot upgrade and a four-second empowered recall, leaning into roaming and tempo control. Overall, these changes don’t feel too powerful, at least compared to the others, and this might result in an indirect lane nerf.

ADC Lane Quest Rewards

The ADC role changes in 2026 will double down on hyper-carry potential. Completing the quest gives a gold injection and increased gold from CS, which plays great with their new ability to build a 7th item. Six-item ADCs are already scary and can easily take over teamfights, so you can only imagine what a fed Jinx with seven items looks like.

Having the ability to grab an extra item might allow you to go for more sustain and protection, especially if you’re playing a Crit ADC who needs to reach a 100% Crit chance power spike.

Jungle & Support Quest Rewards

Support and jungle already had a quest-style system, so they’re getting refinements instead of complete reworks. Jungle clear speed is getting toned down early, so lanes can breathe more before ganks. Completing the jungle quest grants extra gold and XP from large monsters and bonus MS when in the jungle.

Supports will get an extra item slot for control wards, ward discounts, and more passive gold. An additional ward slot means that you don’t have to sacrifice one of your items in the late game just to be able to equip wards.

When Do LoL Season 1 2026 Changes Go Live?

All of these system changes, from items to vision and macro tools, are already live on PBE as part of the Season 1 2026 testing cycle. Riot has openly asked for feedback while tuning numbers, with a full release scheduled for LoL Patch 26.1 in January.

If Riot manages to balance things out, this League of Legends 2026 update could mark a shift toward lane power, macro diversity, and more expressive itemization. It will also be interesting to see how these changes affect the professional scene.

FAQ

When does LoL Season 1 2026 start?

LoL Season 1 2026 launches with patch 26.1 in January 2026, after the current preseason cycle ends.

What are role quests in LoL Season 1 2026?

Role quests are lane-specific progress systems that grant unique power rewards to top, mid, bot, jungle, and support.

Is Atakhan still available in Season 1 2026?

No. Atakhan and his related mechanics will be entirely removed in LoL 2026, with Baron Nashor returning to its usual 20-minute spawn timer.

How many new items will be in LoL 2026?

League of Legends Season 2026 will introduce nine new items, plus the return of Hextech Gunblade and Stormrazor.

How will the new LoL changes in 2026 affect gameplay?

With all the new LoL changes in 2026, you can expect faster early games, more impact from lanes with role quests, and stronger rewards for splitpushing and clean macro.