When does rank reset in League of Legends?

One of League of Legends’ most enticing features is its ranked queue, which allows players to test their skills against others. Each year, a new iteration of ranked is introduced to the game, requiring players to begin the grind once more while exploring its new features.

The case is no different this time around, with the 2025 season refreshing the ranked system once again. Riot Games has overhauled it a few times in recent years, yet it feels the 2025 changes make the most sense—let’s break them down.

When do ranks reset in League of Legends?

The ranking reset timer is undeniably the most burning question among all League players. From 2025 onward, there will be only one ranked reset in League. It will happen at the start of the year without any additional resets. This is scheduled for Jan. 9, when the first season of 2025 begins.

When did rank reset happen in the past?

At the beginning of 2023, Riot divided the ranked season into two splits. While this division offered more rewards, as there were more rankings to conquer throughout the year, it was also problematic. Players were forced to grind harder to maintain their desired ranking, making climbing to new heights even more challenging.

If that wasn’t enough, in 2024, Riot continued iterating on that strategy by splitting the season into not two but three ranked splits. This was exhausting for some players, with each split having its own reset. This made the game’s competitive aspect almost unplayable. Players had to spend days and nights grinding out their desired ranks, only for them to vanish in a few week’s time.

Luckily, Riot heard them and introduced the previously mentioned changes to make “League climb enjoyable—not painful or daunting,” it wrote in its dev blog. Having only one reset throughout the year should be enough to allow players to have a proper life-League balance.

Other 2025 LoL ranked changes

While the return to one annual ranked reset was a major change for the community, it wasn’t the only change in League’s ranked ecosystem. The developer also tweaked how the Victorious skins are claimed, with players only needing to win 15 ranked games to earn them in each thematic season, which is way more comfortable for those too busy to grind certain ranks.

At the same time, the MMR reset is meant to be less aggressive. Too many substantial MMR resets in the past led to the ranking experience feeling annoying since players with different ranks could match up early in the season, creating chaotic lobbies and early climb volatility. “While this may make the climb to first Challenger a bit less exciting, we’re making this change based on your feedback,” the dev wrote.

In addition, Riot explained its current approach to returning players’ experience and the abuse of alternative accounts. It reassured us that it’s monitoring both aspects and is ready to act if necessary.

How to climb LoL ranked quickly: Our rank progression tips

So, you want to increase your place in the rankings, and you want to do it fast? Well, we all do. Luckily, there are a few ways of rapidly improving League’s rankings. There is no golden rule to that, but a few tricks can make the process faster.

Learn a few champions for each position

While everybody prefers to compete in their favorite role, with how the current matchmaking in League works, players will sometimes be thrown onto another one in matchmaking. Leaving the lobby or going AFK if you didn’t get your role is simply trolling and will hurt your rank. On the other hand, going in unprepared might make you inferior to your opponent in lane.

Sure, you might trade with others, but players are often unwilling to do so, especially once they claim their desired position. With that in mind, always have a few champions you know in and out, especially in the lower rankings. Not feeding and giving your best is essential in League’s climb.

Dive into gameplay changes each Patch to exploit the meta

Riot introduces major changes to champions, items, and systems every two weeks. The devs often hit the most overpowered characters with a nerf hammer while buffing those who aren’t doing well. Players who have been climbing the League ladder for a few years now should know that the developer sometimes overdoes it on those tweaks, making specific champs too strong.

If you can take advantage of that, you should be able to secure some easy points for your ranked climb.

Find a duo partner and come up with powerful combos

A lot of League games in the current meta are decided in the early game, with the game having multiple snowball mechanics. Securing kills in the laning phase often leads to first neutral objectives, which makes you strong in the mid game, and so on. Therefore, making a well-communicated, powerful duo with your friend is always an advantage.

Think of a combo that works well due to League’s mechanics. Top and jungle or mid and jungle are always strong if they can carry out a few successful ganks early. Or maybe you want to take the helm of your bottom lane and drive your teams to victory through there?

Wait a bit with playing ranked games after the season resets

With the one and only ranked reset happening in January from 2025 onward, you could also wait a few days after it happens before jumping straight into the competitive play. There are two reasons for that.

Each year, the meta changes abruptly, so getting used to it in modes like Swiftplay or standard Summoner’s Rift draft is a wise choice. A lot of people who head directly into the ranked queue don’t. Secondly, while the MMR reset is milder now, it still takes place. The worst thing that could happen for your initial climb is getting mixed up with players of different MMR, making the games unfair and complicated.

How many ranks are there in LoL?

There are 10 different rankings, with the final three (Master, Grandmaster, and Challenger) having no Divisions at all. The remaining seven are divided into four, with Division One being the highest.

• Iron (Divisions one to four)
• Bronze (Divisions one to four)
• Silver (Divisions one to four)
• Gold (Divisions one to four)
• Platinum (Divisions one to four)
• Emerald (Divisions one to four)
• Diamond (Divisions one to four)
• Master
• Grandmaster
• Challenger