Riot Games originally intended to release League of Legends with just 20 unique champions, but eventually doubled that number leading up to launch day on Oct. 27, 2009. Now, 17 years later, there are a whopping 173 playable characters in the game.
Locke, the Ashen Exorcist, is the latest champion to join the League roster and is notably the only new champion arriving in 2026. A hunter who has spent years hunting supernatural threats, Locke brings his signature blend of relentless aggression and mystical power to the Rift, marking Riot Games’ sole champion release for the year.
