The anticipation is building as Riot Games announces the return of the Fearless Draft for the League of Legends 2026 season. This news was revealed during the Worlds 2025 event, setting the stage for a thrilling year ahead in the esports scene. With its unique rule sets, the Fearless Draft aims to keep matches fresh and exciting for both players and fans alike.
Riot Games has confirmed that Fearless Draft will return for the League of Legends 2026 season. Its return was announced during Worlds 2025, ahead of the Grand Finals match between T1 and KT Rolster. Reports suggest that Chris Greeley, Global Head of League of Legends Esports, confirmed in a press conference that the ruleset will remain in effect for 2026.
Fearless Draft: A Game-Changing Strategy
First introduced in China’s League of Legends Pro League (LPL) in 2024, the Fearless Draft prevents players from selecting the same champions consecutively in a series. This system was designed to address the rapidly growing roster of playable characters in the game. In best-of-three and best-of-five matches, teams can impose 10 additional Fearless bans, ensuring varied strategies throughout the series.
The Fearless Draft continued to be utilized in 2025, from the first split to the League of Legends World Championship, which is currently reaching its Grand Finals. The drafting system’s impact on the scene has been a hot topic among fans, with some praising the increased champion variety for enhancing the viewing experience, while others question whether the system has become repetitive.
All Eyes on Worlds 2025 Grand Finals
Worlds 2025 is nearing its thrilling conclusion as T1 and KT Rolster gear up for the Grand Finals showdown. The champion will claim this season’s title and the grand prize of $1 million. T1 enters the final series as the reigning champions from the previous year and is widely hailed as one of the top teams. However, KT Rolster has shown remarkable performance throughout the tournament, dominating the Swiss Stage and defeating formidable opponents in the Knockout Stage.
News of the Fearless Draft’s return coincides with Riot Games’ plans for next year’s events and their locations, which include First Stand, Mid-Season Invitational, and Worlds. Only time will unveil how the Fearless Draft will influence the upcoming season or if Riot Games will introduce any changes to invigorate the esports arena.