In League of Legends, competition meets structure through a dynamic ranked system designed to match players of similar skill levels. Known as the League system, it ensures balanced matchups across multiple game modes. This guide unpacks how it works – from ranks and rewards to progression, decay, and beyond.
🏆 Overview of the League System
The current League system is broken into ten tiers. These tiers reflect overall player skill. Here’s the structure:
Apex tiers (Challenger, Grandmaster, Master): no subdivisions.
Tiers below Apex (Iron to Diamond): split into four divisions, from IV (lowest) to I (highest).
Players earn League Points (LP) to move up and lose LP to move down.
Rankings are visible in your Ranked tab under Profile, showing your current position and split progress.
📅 Season & Rewards Breakdown
Each ranked season is divided into three splits, lasting about four months each. As you play, you rack up Split Points (SP) based on match outcomes:
+10 SP for wins
+6 SP for losses
Earn enough SP and you’ll unlock exclusive split rewards:
SP Threshold | Reward |
---|---|
160 SP | Ranked Emote (split-themed champion) |
240 SP | Permanent Champion |
320 SP | Unique Ranked Split Icon |
800 SP | 1 Masterwork Chest |
Between these, expect smaller perks like Hextech Keys and Chests.
The grand prize? A Victorious Skin, awarded at the end of a split. Eligibility depends on your final rank:
Gold and above: Only 80 SP needed.
Silver and below: Must hit 1600 SP.
Victorious Skins also come with chromas based on your final tier.
🏅 Tiers, Divisions & Visual Flair
Crests, Banners, and Borders
Every rank tier has a distinctive crest, banner, and icon border, customizable from your profile.
Rank List:
Iron
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Emerald
Diamond
Master
Grandmaster
Challenger
Your rank is visible in lobbies and on loading screens, with banners and borders matching your performance.
📈 LP System – How You Rise and Fall
Win games = gain LP. Lose games = lose LP. But your hidden Matchmaking Rating (MMR) determines how much LP you win or lose.
Below Emerald: ±25 LP is the standard.
Emerald and above: Gains/losses reduce slightly, usually by 5 LP.
MMR differences between teams and even map sides can tweak LP outcomes.
⏳ Decay – Stay Active or Slide Back
High-ranked players must stay active or risk LP decay:
Tier | Matches Needed | Grace Period | Decay Rate |
---|---|---|---|
Diamond | 7 | 28 days | -50 LP/day |
Apex (Master+) | 1 | 10 days | -75 LP/day |
If you hit 0 LP and run out of banked games, your rank drops. Note: MMR doesn’t decay, only visible LP.
🤝 Consolation LP – Fairness in the Face of Trolls
If a teammate is flagged for griefing or AFKing, and you lose, you may earn Consolation LP:
Only applies in defeats.
Only if the match isn’t part of a promo series.
LP is awarded weekly under certain conditions.
Griefers and AFKs in your party? No consolation for you.
🚀 Promotion, Demotion & Protection
Climbing the ladder has two key milestones:
Division Promotion:
Earn 100 LP and win another game? You move up – with excess LP rolling over.
Tier Promotion:
Reach 100 LP in Division I? You jump to Division IV of the next tier – and get Demotion Protection:
10 games of protection (Bronze–Diamond)
3 games (Master tier)
Tier Demotion:
Drop to 0 LP, lose more, and you’re bumped down. Your new LP depends on MMR:
High MMR? Start at 75 LP
Low MMR? Start at 25 LP
Mid-range? Start at 50 LP
Tier-loss Protection may give you a few more chances before you fall – unless it’s due to Decay, which is instant.
📊 Provisional Placements
New split? You’re in provisionals for 5 games.
No LP loss during this phase.
Ranks stay hidden until it ends.
Win early? Fast-track to higher divisions.
Max possible result? Diamond III.
First win can net up to 100 LP.
Unranked accounts rely on their Normal, ARAM, and Co-op MMR to determine placement.
🔝 Apex Tiers – Only the Best Get In
These elite tiers are:
Master
Grandmaster (200 LP+)
Challenger (500 LP+)
There’s limited space. Each night at 23:45 UTC, players are shuffled based on LP standings.
Region | Grandmaster Slots | Challenger Slots |
---|---|---|
EUW, NA, Korea, Vietnam, China (major) | 700 | 300 |
EUNE, BR, Turkey, LATAM, SEA | 500 | 200 |
Oceania, Japan, Russia, Middle East | 100 | 50 |
🧠 Skill Brackets & Player Pool
Your tier reflects not just progress – but percentile:
Category | Tier Range | Percentile |
---|---|---|
Average | Iron IV – Gold I | 0–90% |
Skilled | Platinum IV – Diamond III | 90–99% |
Elite | Diamond II – Challenger | 99–100% |
Pro | Top Professional Leagues | Esports Only |
Game patches often balance around these brackets.
In Short: The League system is more than a rank – it’s a living, breathing journey of progression, competition, and reward. Whether you’re climbing to Gold or gunning for Challenger, your path is as unique as your gameplay.