Riot Games is revamping Swiftplay for the 2026 season with faster pacing, new lane tools, simplified objectives, and major jungle tweaks. Here’s everything changing in League of Legends’ updated quick-play mode.
Riot Games is developing the 2026 season update for League of Legends Swiftplay with the goal of making it “a faster and more exhilarating experience for players who want a quicker match,” according to Lead Designer Sara Coutinho in a developer update.
In response to player feedback that Swiftplay’s iteration felt slow, “too objective-focused,” and “close to the Summoner’s Rift experience,” the team is overhauling systems to encourage faster fights with more decisive outcomes.
The 2026 season update reworks pacing, laning and jungle flow as well as introduces new mechanics to help the game flow at a more frenetic pace. With less objective clutter, a new suite of tools for laners and junglers, and a sharpened focus on the action, Swiftplay is shaping up to be a mode optimized for quicker, more impactful play sessions.
Faster match pacing
Riot’s largest change for 2026 is the faster-paced flow of matches, which will have less downtime. Objectives like Atakhan, Feats of Strength, Void Grubs, and Rift Herald are being removed from the mode entirely.
Only two Dragons can spawn per match and you must secure both to receive Dragon Soul. Baron will spawn at the 12-minute mark, and the Elder Dragon will spawn from 15 minutes. Sudden Death now triggers at the 25-minute mark instead of 30.
Baron’s buff also no longer expires upon death to keep pushing pressure more consistent.
Laning changes
Laning is being made a lot more explosive with level 3 starts, an early 1400 gold starting buff, and the addition of new Guardian starter items. Cannon minions now spawn in every wave starting from the third wave, allowing for quicker lane pressure.
Riot is also introducing Minion Frenzy, which causes champion takedowns to grant nearby allied minions faster movement speed, increased attack rate, and bonus damage for stronger snowballing pushes.
Jungle improvements
Junglers are also starting at level 3 with 1400 gold for safer early clears. Camp respawn times will be reduced and pet upgrades will require fewer treats.
The jungle role is being changed due to secondary objectives being removed from the mode and will move away from constantly racing to objectives and focus more on the jungle-lane dynamics.
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