League of Legends 7.0 Updates and Gameplay Changes

League of Legends Patch Notes 7.0 is the first major patch of the year, and it is already clear that there is a shift in the way that Riot Games is proceeding. The company leaves behind Bandle City and focuses on the newly added Ionia Rift, which is a remade map that features smooth movement, good vision, and a more relaxed pace of play.

League of Legends Patch Notes 7.0

New Champion Smolder

One of the largest highlights in the League of Legends Patch Notes 7.0 is the introduction of Smolder, the Fiery Fledgling. The dragon champion will be released on January 22 at 00:01 UTC. This is more in line with the pacing direction of the new Ionia Rift.

The launch event of Smolder comes with themed missions and rewards that help players ease into his playstyle rather than having to learn and execute him right away.

Ranked Season 20 updates progression expectations

Competitive players will see some changes in the LoL Patch 7.0 update when Ranked Season 20 begins on January 23, 2026. The season will end in April and feature Glorious Eminence Teemo as the reward for completing the season.

Players who have completed 45 ranked matches can now pick a skin from previous rewards, while high ranks such as Challenger and Sovereign receive special titles.

Wild Pass and Mini Pass adjust pacing and value flow

The progression systems are further revamped in Patch 7.0, especially with the Wild Pass. This season brings about Food Spirits Ziggs, accompanied by cosmetic items such as emotes and battle ensigns. Some of the returning skins have been included in the pass pool, giving players more options rather than restricting rewards to new items alone.

As the pass duration is shorter, XP gain has been boosted via weekly and daily missions. A Mini Pass goes live on March 8, 2026, with Janitor Thresh and a chroma skin. For more details on timings and updates, check the League of Legends New Update Schedule.

Collected Legends and time-limited currencies evolve rewards

Another major system that has been expanded in the League of Legends Patch Notes 7.0 is Collected Legends Season 5. Players can obtain several Officer Vi chromas, including a hidden one, while also getting a temporary discount during the patch. The addition of Limited-Time Wild Cores brings a new element to this system. These Wild Cores will expire at the end of the patch and can be traded in for high-quality skins like Lunar Empress Morgana.

For insights on the top competitive players and strategies, see Top 10 Best League of Legends Players.

Ionia Rift redesign reshapes map control

The Ionia Rift is the most impactful change to gameplay in the Patch Notes 7.0. The jungle camps have been reworked to eliminate advantages on the sides, and walls around the map have been made thinner for easier rotations. The paths for roaming support and jungler champions are more open.

In comparison to the opening patches of previous seasons, League of Legends 7.0 seems to be more conservative and measured in its approach. For more information regarding all the new content, please visit the official website.