LoL Season 3 2026 End: January 2027 Expected Date
Verified November 6, 2026 · Status: upcoming — exact date not yet confirmed
League of Legends Season 3 of 2026 is expected to end in early January 2027, with Patch 26.24 on approximately December 9, 2026 as the season-finale patch that includes preseason-style changes. Riot has not published a specific end date in a single news post yet. Secondary coverage cites January 6-7, 2027 as the expected ranked-split end. This page walks through what’s confirmed, what’s expected, and what players should finalize before the ranked reset. Verified on 6 November 2026.
Source: Riot Games — 2026 LoL patch schedule and season structure.
What’s confirmed by Riot
- The 2026 season uses the three-split ranked format Riot introduced earlier in the year.
- Season 3 is the third and final split of 2026.
- Patches continue bi-weekly through December.
What’s expected (not yet confirmed)
- Season 3 end: early January 2027, likely January 6 or 7 per secondary coverage. Riot has not published a specific date.
- Patch 26.24: approximately December 9, 2026 as the season-finale patch.
- Season 2027 start: January 2027 with Patch 27.01 or similar.
Rewards for Season 3 2026
Ranked rewards at season end typically include:
- End-of-season ranked armor (champion-themed) for players reaching Gold+ by season end.
- Ranked emote tier per division climbed.
- Honor rewards for players maintaining Honor Level 3+.
- Specific 2026 rewards announced in Riot’s end-of-season post (not yet published as of November 6).
Things to finish before season end
- Hit your target rank. Ranked rewards lock to your highest Season 3 rank.
- Clear Honor level. Honor Level 3+ is typically needed for end-of-season loot.
- Complete event passes. Current battle-pass content expires at season boundaries.
- Spend remaining BE. BE carries forward, but BE earn-rate may change in preseason.
The three-split format context
Riot moved from single-year ranked seasons to three splits per year in 2024. Each split has:
- Its own ranked climb (MMR persists across splits, rank resets partially).
- Split-specific rewards.
- Roughly 4-month duration.
Split-end resets are smaller than full-year resets — most players keep more of their rank between splits than they did between full seasons.
Season 2027 outlook
What’s expected but not confirmed:
- Format stays three-split (no return to single-season).
- Split 1 of 2027 opens with a major patch introducing the year’s new systems.
- Specific Season 2027 themes, new champions, and mode additions are TBA.
FAQ
When does LoL Season 3 2026 end?
Expected early January 2027 (January 6 or 7 per secondary coverage). Riot has not confirmed a specific date in a single news post as of November 6, 2026.
What is Patch 26.24?
The expected season-finale patch for Season 3 2026, landing approximately December 9, 2026. Includes preseason-style changes per the 2026 patch schedule.
When does Season 2027 start?
January 2027, after Season 3 2026 ends. Specific start date not confirmed. Season 2027 is expected to continue the three-split format.
What rewards do I get for Season 3?
Ranked armor for Gold+ players, division-climbed emote, Honor rewards for Honor Level 3+. Specific 2026 rewards will be announced in Riot’s end-of-season post.
Does my rank reset between splits?
Partially. MMR persists across splits; rank resets with a soft adjustment (typically down 2-4 divisions). Full-year resets historically have been harder than split-to-split ones.
Is there a preseason this year?
Not in the traditional sense. The three-split format replaced the old Preseason period. Season-finale patch (Patch 26.24) still includes some preseason-style changes.
What should I finish before season end?
Hit target rank, maintain Honor Level 3+, complete current event passes, and spend Blue Essence if BE earn-rate may change in the upcoming split.
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