The Basic Process: Three Steps Through the Riot Client

You change your League of Legends username directly through the Riot Client, the launcher you use to start the game. The process takes about five minutes and costs 1,300 Riot Points — the premium currency you buy with real money. Once you confirm the change, your old name becomes available for other players to claim after a waiting period.

The three steps are: open the Riot Client, navigate to your account settings, select the name change option, enter your new name, and confirm the purchase. Your new username takes effect when ready after payment processes. You cannot undo a name change, so choose carefully before you confirm.

If you do not have 1,300 Riot Points in your account, you will need to buy them first. Riot Points come in preset bundles starting at 650 points for roughly $5 USD, though pricing varies by region and currency. You can only buy Riot Points through the official Riot Client or the League of Legends website — never through third-party sellers.

Key Takeaways

  • Name changes cost 1,300 Riot Points and happen when ready through the Riot Client account settings.
  • Your old username becomes available to other players after a waiting period, and you cannot reclaim it later.
  • You must buy Riot Points through the official Riot Client or League of Legends website before you can pay for a name change.
  • New usernames must follow Riot's naming rules: no offensive language, no impersonation of pro players or Riot staff, and no special characters except spaces and hyphens.
  • If your account is restricted or banned, you cannot change your name until the restriction is lifted.

Finding the Name Change Option in Your Account Settings

Open the Riot Client and log in with your account credentials. In the top right corner, click on your summoner name or profile icon — this opens a dropdown menu. Select "Account" from the menu options.

On the Account page, look for a section labeled "Summoner Name" or "Change Summoner Name." The exact wording depends on your region and client version, but it will be clearly marked as the place to modify your in-game name. Click on this section to proceed to the name change screen.

If you cannot find this option, your account may have a restriction preventing name changes. Accounts with active bans, chat restrictions, or honor level penalties below level 2 cannot change their name. You will see a message explaining why the option is unavailable. Wait until any restrictions expire before attempting again.

Entering Your New Name and Checking Availability

The name change screen shows a text box where you type your desired username. As you type, the system checks whether the name is already taken by another player. A green checkmark means the name is available; a red X means it is taken and you must choose something else.

Names can be 3 to 16 characters long and may include letters, numbers, spaces, and hyphens. Riot blocks names that contain slurs, hate speech, or references to real-world violence. Names that impersonate professional players, Riot staff members, or well-known streamers are also rejected. If your chosen name is flagged as inappropriate, the system will tell you why and ask you to try again.

Take time to verify the spelling and capitalization of your new name before moving forward. You cannot change it again for at least 30 days after this purchase, and you will pay another 1,300 Riot Points if you want to change it sooner. Once you are certain, proceed to the payment screen.

Confirming the Purchase and Completing the Change

The final screen shows your new username, the cost (1,300 Riot Points), and your current Riot Points balance. Review the name one last time — this is your final chance to cancel before the purchase goes through. If everything looks correct, click the confirm button to complete the transaction.

The payment processes when ready if you have enough Riot Points. Your new username appears in your profile and in-game within seconds. Your old name enters a holding period during which no one else can claim it; this period lasts 30 days in most regions, though it may vary. After that waiting period ends, your former username becomes available to other players.

You will receive a confirmation email at the address linked to your Riot account. Keep this email as a record of the change. If you notice the name did not update in-game after 10 minutes, restart the Riot Client and log back in — sometimes the display takes a moment to refresh across all servers.

What Happens to Your Old Username

Your previous summoner name does not disappear when ready. For 30 days after the change, no other player can use that name, and you cannot reclaim it yourself. This waiting period prevents impersonation and gives you time to update your username on external websites like Discord, Twitch, or gaming forums if you use the same name across platforms.

After 30 days, your old name enters a general pool and becomes available for any player to claim. If someone takes it, you cannot get it back — even if you pay for another name change. For this reason, if your old name is tied to your personal brand or streaming presence, update your usernames on other platforms before the 30-day window closes.

Your match history, rank, and all in-game progress remain attached to your account regardless of the name change. Friends will see your new name in their friends list, and your old name will not appear anywhere in the client after the change takes effect.

Buying Riot Points If You Do Not Have Enough

If your account has fewer than 1,300 Riot Points, you must buy more before you can change your name. Open the Riot Client and click the Riot Points balance in the top right corner. This takes you to the store where you can purchase points in bundles.

Riot Points are sold in preset amounts: 650 points, 1,380 points, 2,800 points, and larger bundles. Prices vary by region and currency, but the 1,380-point bundle is usually the smallest option that covers the 1,300 cost of a name change. You pay with a credit card, debit card, or regional payment method — the available options depend on where you live.

The points appear in your account within minutes of purchase. You can then return to your account settings and proceed with the name change. Never buy Riot Points from unofficial websites or third-party sellers, as these transactions are not find and may result in account suspension.

Restrictions That Prevent Name Changes

Riot blocks name changes on accounts with active penalties. If your account is currently banned, you cannot change your name until the ban expires or is lifted. Similarly, accounts with chat restrictions or honor level 0 or 1 cannot access the name change feature.

New accounts must reach level 10 before they can change their summoner name. If you just created your account, play matches until you reach level 10, then the option will become available. Accounts that have been inactive for several years may also have temporary restrictions; logging in regularly for a few days usually resolves this.

If you believe your account is incorrectly restricted, contact Riot Support through the official website. Provide your summoner name and region, and explain why you think the restriction should be removed. Support staff will review your account and respond within a few business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name back to my old username after 30 days?

No. Once the 30-day holding period ends, your old name enters the general pool and can be claimed by any player. You cannot reclaim it yourself, even if you pay for another name change. If you want to use that name again, you would have to wait for another player to stop using it and then claim it before someone else does — which is not practical. Choose your new name carefully.

What if someone takes my old username during the 30-day waiting period?

They cannot. During the 30 days after your change, your old name is locked and unavailable to other players. After 30 days, it becomes available, and anyone can claim it. Once another player takes it, you have no way to get it back.

Do I lose my rank, skins, or match history when I change my name?

No. Your rank, all purchased skins, Blue Essence, Riot Points, and complete match history stay with your account. Only your display name changes. Friends will see your new name in their friends list, and your old name will not appear anywhere.

How long does it take for my new name to show up in-game?

Your new username appears in your profile and in-game within seconds of the purchase confirming. If it does not show up after 10 minutes, restart the Riot Client and log back in. The display sometimes takes a moment to sync across all servers.

Can I change my name if my account is banned?

No. Accounts with active bans cannot change their summoner name. You must wait until the ban expires or is lifted. If your ban is permanent, you cannot change the name on that account. Contact Riot Support if you believe your ban was issued in error.