Downloading the League of Legends client is free and takes only a few minutes — you just need an internet connection, a Windows PC or Mac, and a free Riot Games account. This guide walks you through every step from visiting the official website to landing in your first match.
Before you begin
Make sure your PC or Mac meets the minimum requirements: Windows 10 or later (64-bit), or macOS 10.14 or later. You will need at least 16 GB of free disk space for the full game client with patches. A stable internet connection is needed both to download the client and to patch it before your first game.
How to download the League of Legends client
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Step 1: Go to the official League of Legends website
Open any web browser and navigate to leagueoflegends.com. This is the only official source for the League of Legends installer. Avoid downloading the client from third-party sites, which may bundle unwanted software or outdated installers.
Always download League of Legends directly from leagueoflegends.com. -
Step 2: Click "Download Now" and choose your operating system
On the homepage, click the prominent Download Now (or "Play Free") button. A prompt will appear asking whether you want the Windows or Mac version. Select the one that matches your system. The correct installer file will begin downloading immediately — the Windows file is an .exe and the Mac file is a .dmg.
Click the download button and pick your operating system to get the correct installer. -
Step 3: Run the installer
Once the file has downloaded, open it from your browser's download bar or your Downloads folder. On Windows, double-click the
.exefile and click Yes if the User Account Control prompt appears. On Mac, open the.dmg, drag League of Legends into your Applications folder, then launch it. The setup wizard will choose an install location — the default (C:\Riot Games\League of Legendson Windows) is fine for most players. Click Install and the installer will copy the initial files.
Double-click the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to start the installation. -
Step 4: Sign in or create a free Riot account
After installation the League of Legends client (also called the Riot Client) opens automatically. If you already have a Riot account, enter your username and password to log in. If you are brand new, click "Create account" on the login screen. You will be asked for an email address, a password, and a Summoner Name (your in-game identity). Registration is completely free and takes under two minutes — just verify your email when the confirmation arrives.
Log in with an existing Riot account, or create a new one for free directly from the client. -
Step 5: Let the client patch, then click Play
After you sign in, the Riot Client will automatically download the remaining game files and the latest patch. This initial patch can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on your connection speed, as the full game can be several gigabytes. A progress bar shows how far along the update is. Once the bar completes and the PLAY button turns gold, you are ready to jump into your first match.
Wait for the patch to complete — once the Play button lights up, you are ready to enter the Rift.
Tips to speed up installation
- Use a wired connection. Plugging directly into your router instead of using Wi-Fi will significantly speed up the large initial patch download.
- Pause other downloads. If your internet is shared, pausing other devices or background updates during the patch will free up bandwidth for League.
- Keep the client open. Closing the Riot Client mid-patch will pause the download. Leave it running until the PLAY button lights up.
- Disable antivirus scanning temporarily. Some antivirus programs slow installation by scanning every file as it is written. Temporarily pausing real-time protection can help — just remember to turn it back on afterward.
- Check available disk space first. Make sure you have at least 16 GB free before starting. Running out of space mid-patch will cause an error and you will need to free space before resuming.
Troubleshooting common issues
The installer won't open on Windows
Right-click the .exe file and choose Run as administrator. If Windows Defender SmartScreen warns you about an unrecognized app, click More info then Run anyway — this is normal for the Riot installer.
The installer won't open on Mac
Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security and look for a message about the League of Legends installer being blocked. Click Open Anyway to allow it. If the .dmg will not mount, try re-downloading it — the file may have been corrupted.
Patching is stuck or very slow
Close the Riot Client completely, wait 30 seconds, and reopen it. This forces the patcher to reconnect. Also check that your firewall or antivirus is not blocking the Riot Client process. If the issue persists, the Riot Games support page has a dedicated patcher troubleshooting article.
The client says my region is wrong
Each region (NA, EUW, EUNE, etc.) has a separate server and separate account. If you created your account on the website for a specific region, make sure you choose that same region inside the Riot Client's server selector before logging in.
Frequently asked questions
Is League of Legends free to download?
Yes. Downloading and playing League of Legends is completely free. Optional cosmetic items (champion skins, emotes, etc.) can be purchased, but nothing required to play or win costs money.
How large is the League of Legends client?
The initial installer is small (under 100 MB), but the full game client after patching is around 14–16 GB. Make sure you have at least 16 GB of free disk space before you begin.
Can I download League of Legends on Mac?
Yes. An official macOS client is available on leagueoflegends.com. Select Mac when prompted after clicking Download Now, and follow the standard macOS installation steps.
Do I need a Riot account to play?
Yes. A Riot account is required to log into the client. Creating one is free and takes about two minutes. Your Riot account also gives you access to other Riot games such as VALORANT and Teamfight Tactics.
Can I play League of Legends without installing the Riot Client?
No. The standalone League of Legends launcher was replaced by the Riot Client. All Riot games now launch through the Riot Client, which handles patching, login, and game selection in one place.
You are ready to play
Downloading the League of Legends client comes down to five steps: visit the official website, grab the installer for your OS, run it, log in with a free Riot account, and wait for the initial patch to finish. Once the Play button lights up, the entire roster of free-rotation champions is waiting for you on Summoner's Rift. Good luck on the Rift, Summoner.
