Yes, you can change your League of Legends username, but Riot Games limits how often and charges a fee for it
You can change your summoner name — the display name other players see in League of Legends — through your Riot account settings. Riot allows one free name change when you first create an account. After that, each change costs 1,325 Riot Points, which is Riot's premium currency that you buy with real money. The change takes effect when ready, though your old name becomes available for other players to claim after a short period.
The process itself is straightforward: log into your Riot account on the League of Legends website, go to your account settings, find the "Summoner Name" section, and follow the prompts to enter your new name. Riot will check whether the name is available and whether it violates their naming policy before confirming the change.
Key Takeaways
- Your first summoner name change is free; every change after that costs 1,325 Riot Points, which you must purchase with money.
- The name change happens when ready in your account, though the old name takes time to become available for others to use.
- Riot blocks names that contain profanity, slurs, impersonation of real people, or references to hate groups, so your new name must pass their policy check.
- You cannot reserve a name or hold multiple names at once — you have one active summoner name per account at any time.
- If you change your name and then want to change it back, you pay the full fee again; Riot does not offer discounts for reverting to a previous name.
What names Riot will and will not allow
Riot's naming policy blocks names that contain profanity, slurs, hate speech, or references to hate groups. They also block names that impersonate real public figures, celebrities, or Riot employees. Names that are purely numbers or symbols, or that are extremely long, are also rejected.
Names that reference drugs, explicit sexual content, or graphic violence are typically blocked. Riot also prevents names that are identical to or extremely similar to the names of professional League players or Riot staff, to prevent impersonation. If you try to create a name that violates the policy, the system will tell you it is unavailable and you will need to choose something else.
The policy is enforced automatically by Riot's system when you submit the name, so you will know when ready whether your choice is allowed. If you are unsure whether a name might violate the policy, err on the side of caution — you can always try it and see what the system says.
How much it costs and where to buy Riot Points
After your free first change, each summoner name change costs 1,325 Riot Points. Riot Points are purchased through the League of Legends client or the Riot Games website using a credit card, debit card, or regional payment methods depending on where you live. A bundle of 1,380 Riot Points costs roughly $10 USD, though prices vary by region and currency.
You cannot earn Riot Points through gameplay — they are only available for purchase. Some regional payment methods, like prepaid cards or mobile billing, may be available depending on your country. If you are unsure what payment methods work in your region, check the Riot Games support site for your country.
Once you buy Riot Points, they stay in your account until you spend them. You do not have to use them when ready, so you can purchase them and change your name whenever you decide to.
The timing: how long the change takes and when your old name opens up
The summoner name change takes effect when ready — as soon as you confirm it, other players will see your new name in-game and on the League client. Your rank, match history, and all other account data stay exactly the same; only the display name changes.
Your old summoner name does not become available for other players to claim right away. Riot holds the old name for a period of time (the exact length varies, but is typically several weeks to a few months) before releasing it back into the pool of available names. This prevents someone from when ready snatching your old name and impersonating you.
If you change your mind and want your old name back, you will have to pay the full 1,325 Riot Points fee again — Riot does not offer a discount or grace period for reverting to a previous name.
Restrictions on how often you can change your name
Riot does not enforce a hard limit on how many times you can change your summoner name, as long as you pay the fee each time. However, if you change your name very frequently — multiple times in a short period — Riot's system may flag your account for review to check whether you are trying to evade a ban or avoid detection for rule violations.
If your account has been flagged for a ban or suspension, Riot may temporarily prevent you from changing your summoner name until the suspension is lifted. This is to prevent players from changing their name to avoid accountability for violations of the League of Legends Terms of Service.
For most players, changing your name once or twice a year is not a problem. If you are changing it multiple times per month, you may want to think carefully about whether that is necessary.
What stays the same when you change your name
Your rank, LP (League Points), match history, skins, champions, and all other account data remain exactly the same. Friends will still see you on their friends list, and you will still be in the same clubs and teams. The only thing that changes is the name that appears above your character in-game and on your profile.
Your account ID — a number that Riot uses internally to track your account — does not change. This means that if someone has you blocked, or if you are in a ranked team with other players, those relationships stay intact even after you change your name.
If your desired name is already taken
If the summoner name you want is already in use by another player, the system will tell you it is unavailable and you cannot claim it. You will have to choose a different name. There is no waitlist or reservation system — you cannot put your name on a list and wait for someone else to stop using it.
If you see a name that is inactive (the player has not logged in for years), you still cannot take it. Riot does not recycle inactive summoner names. The only way to get a specific name is if that player voluntarily changes their name and Riot releases the old name back into the available pool.
If you are trying to find a name that is available, try variations: adding numbers, underscores, or slight spelling changes. The more specific or popular the name, the more likely it is already taken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my summoner name if my account is banned or suspended?
If your account is currently suspended or banned, you cannot change your summoner name until the suspension is lifted. Riot blocks name changes on flagged accounts to prevent players from evading consequences for rule violations. Once your suspension ends, you can change your name normally.
Do I lose my rank or LP when I change my summoner name?
No. Your rank, LP, match history, and all account progress stay exactly the same. Only the display name changes. Your friends list, clubs, and ranked team memberships are unaffected.
What if someone takes my old summoner name after I change it?
Riot holds your old name for a period of time before releasing it, so there is a delay before someone else can claim it. If someone does take it after it becomes available, you cannot reclaim it without paying the full fee again. There is no way to reserve or protect an old summoner name permanently.
Can I have multiple summoner names on one account?
No. You have one active summoner name per account at any time. You cannot create aliases or alternate display names. If you want a different name, you change your existing one.
Do I have to change my summoner name if Riot says it violates their policy?
If Riot flags your current summoner name as a policy violation, they will notify you and give you a important date to change it. If you do not change it by the important date, Riot will automatically assign you a new name. You can choose your own replacement name during the grace period, but if you do not act, the system will pick one for you.