On January 7, 2026, the first Season 2026 in League of Legends started. Not only were all Champions in the game adjusted, but some things in the game were changed as well. Overall, the game is now significantly faster. However, this does not please all players.
What is this new season? With Patch 26.1, the new Season 16 in LoL started. In addition to buffs and nerfs for some champions, many changes were made to the game itself. Some highlights from the official patch notes (Source: leagueoflegends.com):
- Each of the 5 roles now has its own quest, which grants buffs and advantages upon completion
- Atakhan, the Blood Roses, and the Deeds of Strength have been removed
- Critical hits have been adjusted
- With the fairy lights, a new vision mechanic has been introduced
- Matches start faster
- Home Guard has been adjusted and greatly improved
- Pushing and destroying towers has become more rewarding
Many of the changes ensure that the game is significantly faster than in the previous season. The improvement in Home Guard also makes the overall game speed faster. However, the significantly faster matches do not please all players.
Matches feel less meaningful, say players
What do players say about the new season? In a Reddit thread, user Greitot talked about his experiences with the current season. For him, the shorter matches feel meaningless and less fun
. His thread currently has (as of January 10, 2026) over 1,800 upvotes and 550 comments.
According to his experiences, matches are significantly faster. He had some matches that ended after 18 minutes, without a team giving up. For him, LoL games used to be exciting because they lasted long, as you could feel the growing influence
. It basically feels like I’m playing a random, flashy side mode, and the actual Rift is just gone.
Some players agree with him in his thread. Shroud_Diff (Reddit) does not like the changes to Home Guard: People return to lane very quickly after being recalled.
Other users, like Fatmanpuffing (Reddit), say that we need to wait and see how players adapt to the new season before making long-term judgments.
You can see the Reddit post here:
Why can short matches be frustrating? Many champions (and also some of the new role quests) only really unfold in the late game. Even if you win, there may be times when you cannot play your champion (like Kayle) properly.
For some players, the game is not just about the laning phase or pushing. The longer a game lasts, the more exciting teamfights or even comebacks can become.
But short matches also have advantages: LoL can be a very frustrating match, and if you have to play for 40 to 50 minutes before a team wins, that is a bad player experience. Moreover, short matches are advantageous for players who do not have much time but still want to play 1 or 2 LoL matches in the evening.
Do you prefer short matches in LoL or do you enjoy the thrill of a very long game? Feel free to let us know in the comments. Some champions have also benefited from the new season, especially one: The new season in LoL brings 83 pages of patch notes, and for one champ, they are particularly good
