Whether you are a professional, casual, or ranked player: New champions are a highlight for most in League of Legends. In a new announcement, Riot is already talking about a new champion for 2026, but they will initially not appear in the original
LoL.
What has Riot announced? On the official Wild Rift account (via x.com), Riot announced a significant development expected in the mobile game League of Legends in 2026: Next year, for the first time, a new champion is set to appear in Wild Rift.
Which champion it will be is still unclear. The announcement itself has created mixed reactions in the community, especially because they suspect which champion it will be.
Players fear exclusivity
How is the announcement received by the community? The reactions to the news are mixed. Many LoL players feel disregarded. User @spookyratthing writes on x.com: Terrible. Champions should not be exclusive to WR.
@Skeyzicks is also unhappy and mentions that there were exclusive skins first, and now also exclusive champions.
There seems to be a lot of frustration because players already suspect who it is. Through the portal posted with the announcement, fans are sure: Norra is coming to the game. She is a Yordle who already has a card in Legends of Runeterra and was also featured as a unit in Set 12 of Teamfight Tactics.
Wild Rift is not just a mobile port of League of Legends. The game has its own structure, its own content, and also exclusive skins, which have caused discontent in the past.
Is the new champion really exclusive to Wild Rift? The announcement does not make that clear. Riot only mentions that Wild Rift is introducing a new champion for the first time. However, that does not mean it won’t appear in the normal
LoL in the future.
So far, Riot has not announced the next champion for PC LoL; however, leaks and teasers in a motion comic discuss the Darkin Zaahen (via esportsinsider.com). Darkin are warriors sealed in weapons who have been corrupted by the Void. Aatrox, Naafiri, and Kayn (Raast) are already Darkin included in the game.
But what do you think about the topic? Do you not care, find it criticism-worthy, or do you play both games anyway? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments. One message that fans of LoL appreciated is the return of a map: After 7 long years, League of Legends finally brings back a feature that you have long wished for
