League of Legends game modes explained: Past, present and future

Naerlyn Published January 27, 2026

LoL isn’t all about Summoner’s Rift. Between URF, Arena, Swarm, and Nexus Blitz, the League of Legends game modes are a big part of what gets players hyped to boot up the client. As Riot is planning big updates for ARAM Mayhem, let’s break down all League of Legends game modes.

The League of Legends current game modes

League of Legends currently supports six permanent matchmade game modes (counting Teamfight Tactics, which has its own sub-set of game modes), plus three non-matchmade ones. These are the different ways of queuing for Summoner’s Rift, and ARAM (All Random All Mid), League’s one-lane casual mode introduced in 2013.

Note: Draft pick is only enabled during peak hours in servers of low population. 

On top of that, there are currently three temporary game modes, the highest ever number of concurrent temporary game modes in League of Legends.

Read also: Is League of Legends dying in 2026?

All League of Legends game modes

Here is the entire League of Legends game modes history.

Notes:

• This list doesn’t include the current permanent game modes.
• “Legacy” game modes are the temporary game modes that will not return to League.

All League of Legends game modes in 2014. Image Source: Riot Games

League of Legends retired permanent game modes

Summoner’s Rift queues

• Blind Pick: Every player picks their champion at the same time.
• Team Builder: Players pick their role and champion freely, with no champion select.
• Dynamic Queue and Team Ranked: Outdated forms of Flex Queue.

Twisted Treeline

The Twisted Treeline was a competitive 3v3 game mode, retired in 2019 due to its lack of popularity.

Dominion

Dominion was a Capture Point casual 5v5 game mode played on its own map, the Crystal Scar. It was also retired in 2016 for its limited playerbase.

The Magma Chamber is one of the League of Legends game modes that never saw the light of day. Image Source: Riot Games

Featured League of Legends Game Modes History

The following are all the LoL game modes that will not return.

Snowdown Showdown (2013)

Snowdown Showdown was a 1v1 game mode, where the first player to get a kill, 100 cs, or a turret won the game.

Hexakill (2014)

A regular Summoner’s Rift game, but with an extra player on each team. The mode was later re-run on the 3v3 map instead.

Ascension (2014)

A 5v5 deathmatch where players fight in an arena until one team reaches a certain number of kills.

Nemesis Draft (2015)

A regular Summoner’s Rift game with players picking their opponents’ team instead.

Black Market Brawlers (2015)

An SR game with new items and currency to hire mercenary minions.

Legend of the Poro King (2015)

ARAM, but landing Snowballs summons the Poro King to assist the team.

Definitely Not Dominion (2016)

Dominion, but with fewer control points.

Nexus Siege (2016)

A siege mode, with one attack round and one defense round.

The mayhem of League of Legends game modes. Image Source: Riot Games

Hunt of the Blood Moon (2017)

Summoner’s Rift, but with only assassins and no defensive items.

Dark Star: Singularity (2017)

A 3v3 game mode where each person plays Thresh and attempts to pull their opponents into the black hole.

Invasion (2017)

The first horde-style PvE game mode, with Star Guardian champions only.

OVERCHARGE (2017)

A 3v3 deathmatch with marksmen only.

Odyssey: Extraction (2018)

The second PvE game mode, with Odyssey champions and evolved abilities.

Swarm (2024)

The third PvE game mode. Swarm was a bullet heaven with Anima Squad champions.

Modern League of Legends game modes

These are all the game modes that either are currently playable or can return someday.

One for All (2013)

All five players play the same champion.

URF/ARURF (2014, active)

All cooldowns are reduced by 75%.

Ultra Rapid Fire, one of the League of Legends current game modes. Image Source: Riot Games

Doom Bots (2014)

Players face bots with drastically empowered abilities.

Nexus Blitz (2020)

A faster 5v5 game mode on a different map.

Ultimate Spellbook (2021)

Each player has access to another champion’s ultimate.

Arena (2023, active)

A free-for-all dueling mode between eight teams of two players.

Arena, the first long-term one among all League of Legends game modes. Image Source: Riot Games

Brawl (2025)

A one-lane map for ten minutes of constant fighting.

ARAM Mayhem (2025, active)

ARAM, but each champion also receives Augments from Arena. Due to its massive popularity, ARAM Mayhem had its run extended indefinitely and might become permanent. If you haven’t played it yet, read our ARAM Mayhem explainer to know what to expect.

Read also: Best LoL Players of all time

League of Legends upcoming game modes

Currently, Riot Games has given no information on upcoming new ways to play League. ARAM Mayhem is receiving large-scale updates due to its sustained popularity, but whether it remains temporary or is set to become permanent was not revealed.

However, ARAM Mayhem was inspired by its Wild Rift counterpart, AAA ARAM, which was made permanent at the start of 2026. If League is to take from the successes of Wild Rift, then we might see Unbound Frenzy as a League of Legends upcoming game mode. In Unbound Frenzy, all champions play with massive buffs to their kits, similar to Doom Bots or to the augments from Odyssey: Extraction.

Featured Image Source: Riot Games