Downloading League of Legends in North America takes about ten minutes of active effort — the rest is the installer running in the background. The game is completely free to play on Windows and macOS, and the only place you need to visit is the official site at leagueoflegends.com. This guide walks through every step from opening the page to logging in and queuing for your first match on the NA server.
What you need before you start
- A Windows PC or Mac. On Windows, you need Windows 10 or later (64-bit). On Mac, macOS 10.14 Mojave or newer is required.
- At least 16 GB of free disk space. The game client itself installs in a few hundred megabytes, but patches and game files grow to roughly 10–14 GB over time.
- A stable internet connection. The faster your connection, the sooner the initial patch completes — expect anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour on a typical home broadband line.
- A Riot account. It is free to create and takes under two minutes. If you already have one from another Riot game (Valorant, TFT), you can use the same login.
How to download League of Legends in North America
-
Step 1: Go to the official League of Legends website
Open any browser and navigate to leagueoflegends.com. This is the only official source for the North America client — you do not need Steam, the Microsoft Store, or any third-party launcher. On the homepage you will see a prominent "Play Free" button. Click it to begin the download and account flow.
Click "Play Free" on the League of Legends homepage to start the download process. -
Step 2: Create or sign in to your Riot account
Clicking "Play Free" takes you to the Riot account page. If you are new to Riot Games, select Create Account, enter an email address, choose a password, pick a Riot ID (your in-game name and tag), and verify your email. The whole process takes under two minutes and is free. If you already have a Riot account from Valorant, TFT, or another Riot title, just sign in with your existing credentials — your account works across all Riot games.
Sign in with an existing Riot account or create a new free account in under two minutes. -
Step 3: Download and run the installer
After signing in, the site automatically detects your operating system and offers the correct installer — Download for Windows (an .exe file) or Download for Mac (a .dmg file). Click the button and save the file to your Downloads folder. Once it finishes downloading, double-click the file to run it. On Windows, a User Account Control prompt may appear asking for permission — click Yes to allow the installation. A small wizard opens; accept the license agreement, choose an install folder if you want to change the default, and click Install.
Run the downloaded installer file and follow the short setup wizard to install the Riot Client. -
Step 4: Let the Riot Client download and patch
The installer places the Riot Client on your computer — this is the central launcher for all Riot games. Once installed, the Riot Client opens automatically and begins downloading the full League of Legends game files. A progress bar shows you how much data remains. The initial download is typically around 10–14 GB, so this step can take anywhere from fifteen minutes to over an hour depending on your connection speed. You do not need to do anything during this time; the client handles everything and launches League of Legends automatically once patching is complete.
The Riot Client downloads all game files automatically — progress is shown in a bar at the bottom of the window. -
Step 5: Log in to the NA server and start playing
When patching finishes, the Riot Client switches to the League of Legends lobby and prompts you to log in. Enter your Riot ID and password. Check that the server region shown is North America (NA) — if you are in Canada, the US, or Mexico, this should be selected by default. Once logged in, click Play to open the game client, where you can start with the built-in tutorial, jump into a practice match against bots, or queue for a real game right away.
Log in with your Riot account, confirm the NA server region, and hit Play to get into the game.
Tips for a smoother download
- Use a wired connection if possible. Ethernet is faster and more stable than Wi-Fi during a large patch download, and you are less likely to see the download pause or restart.
- Close other heavy applications. Streaming video, torrents, or other downloads compete for bandwidth and can slow the patch considerably.
- Do not move or rename the install folder while the patch is in progress. Wait until the client shows that everything is ready before making any file-system changes.
- Create a desktop shortcut. After installation, right-click the Riot Client in your Start menu or Applications folder and pin it or create a shortcut so you can reach it quickly next time.
- Mac users: allow the app in Security settings. macOS Gatekeeper may block the installer on first run. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and click "Open Anyway" next to the blocked item.
Troubleshooting common issues
The download keeps pausing or restarting
This usually means an unstable connection. Try switching to a wired Ethernet connection, restarting your router, or pausing other bandwidth-heavy tasks. You can also close the Riot Client and reopen it — patching resumes from where it left off.
The installer is blocked by Windows Defender or antivirus
Some antivirus programs flag the Riot Client installer as unknown software because it is newly downloaded. The file from leagueoflegends.com is safe. Add an exception in your antivirus for the Riot Games folder (typically C:\Riot Games) and run the installer again.
I cannot find the North America server in the client
If the Riot Client shows a different region, look for a region selector at the login screen or in the client settings. Change it to NA1 — North America. Note that each region has separate accounts and progress, so make sure you registered your account through the NA version of the site.
My PC meets the specs but the game still won't launch
Try running the Riot Client as an administrator (right-click the shortcut and select "Run as administrator"). Also make sure your graphics drivers are up to date, since League of Legends uses DirectX 11 on Windows.
Frequently asked questions
Is League of Legends free to download in North America?
Yes. League of Legends is completely free to download and play. The game earns revenue through optional cosmetic purchases (champion skins, emotes, etc.) but nothing you spend money on affects gameplay balance.
Where is the official download link for League of Legends NA?
The only official source is leagueoflegends.com. Click "Play Free" on the homepage, sign in or create a Riot account, and the site will serve you the correct installer for your operating system.
How large is the League of Legends download?
The initial installer is small (a few hundred megabytes), but once the Riot Client begins patching, the total game data grows to roughly 10–14 GB. Make sure you have at least 16 GB of free space before you start.
Can I play League of Legends on Mac in North America?
Yes. Riot Games provides a native macOS client. Download the Mac installer from leagueoflegends.com and follow the same steps. You will need macOS 10.14 Mojave or newer.
Do I need a separate account for the NA server?
If you already have a Riot account registered on a different region (for example, EUW or KR), that account cannot be used on the NA server without a paid region transfer. It is easiest to create a fresh Riot account through the North America version of the site so your account is tied to the NA server from the start.
Ready to play
Getting League of Legends up and running in North America comes down to five straightforward steps: visit leagueoflegends.com, sign in or create a free Riot account, run the installer, let the Riot Client finish patching, and log in on the NA server. The whole active portion takes less than ten minutes, and once the patch is done you can jump straight into the tutorial or a game against bots to learn the basics. For the latest patch notes and champion updates, check the official League of Legends news page.
