League of Legends can only be downloaded safely from the official Riot Games website at leagueoflegends.com — never from third-party sites, torrent files, or unofficial mirrors. The game is completely free to download and play, and the installer takes only a few minutes to set up on Windows or macOS.
This guide walks you through the entire process: finding the right download page, running the small installer, signing into your Riot account, waiting for the client to patch itself, and finally clicking Play for the first time. The full download (including all patch data) requires around 22–25 GB of free disk space and a stable internet connection.
What you need before you start
- Operating system: Windows 10 / 11 or macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or later
- Free disk space: at least 25 GB recommended
- RAM: 4 GB minimum (8 GB recommended)
- Internet connection: stable broadband for the initial patch download
- Riot account: free to create during setup, or use an existing one
How to download and install League of Legends
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Step 1: Go to the official League of Legends website
Open your browser and navigate to leagueoflegends.com. This is the only official source for the game. You will see the hero banner with a prominent Download button — the site automatically detects your operating system (Windows or Mac) and serves the correct installer.
Step 1: Open leagueoflegends.com in your browser and locate the Download button. -
Step 2: Click "Download" and run the installer
Click the Download button on the homepage. Your browser will download a small installer file — around 90 MB for Windows (LoLInstaller.exe) or a .dmg package for Mac. Once the download finishes, open the file and follow the on-screen prompts to begin installation. On Windows you may see a User Account Control prompt; click Yes to allow it. The installer chooses a default location such as C:\Riot Games\League of Legends, though you can change this if you prefer.
Step 2: Download the small installer from the site, then double-click to run it. -
Step 3: Sign in or create a free Riot account
After the installer launches, the League of Legends client will open and ask you to log in. If you already have a Riot Games account, enter your credentials and sign in. New players should click Create a Free Account and fill in a username, email address, and password. Accounts are completely free and the same account works across all Riot games (Valorant, Teamfight Tactics, etc.). You will receive a verification email, so check your inbox and confirm your address.
Step 3: Sign in to your existing Riot account or create a new one for free. -
Step 4: Wait for the client to download and patch
Once you are logged in, the League of Legends client begins downloading the full game data automatically. This patch can range from roughly 15 to 25 GB depending on the current version. The progress bar at the bottom of the client shows how much is left. You do not need to do anything during this process — simply leave the client open and let it finish. The PLAY button will be grayed out until the patch completes.
Step 4: The client patches itself automatically. The progress bar shows how much remains. -
Step 5: Click PLAY and jump into your first match
When patching is complete, the PLAY button in the bottom-right corner of the client becomes active. Click it to open the game mode selection screen, where you can choose modes like Summoner's Rift (the classic 5v5), ARAM (All Random All Mid), or the current rotating game mode. New players are recommended to start with the Tutorial or Intro Bots mode to learn champion controls, abilities, and the basic flow of a match before heading into PvP.
Step 5: Once patching finishes, click PLAY to choose a game mode and start your first match.
Tips for a smooth install
- Use a wired connection if possible. The patch download is large; a wired Ethernet connection is faster and more stable than Wi-Fi, reducing the chance of the download stalling.
- Disable your VPN temporarily. Some VPNs can interfere with the Riot client's patching servers. Turn it off during the initial download and re-enable it afterward if needed.
- Antivirus warnings are usually false positives. Some antivirus programs flag the installer; since it is from the official site, you can allow it. If you are unsure, verify the URL is leagueoflegends.com before running anything.
- Pause and resume is supported. You can close the client during patching and reopen it later; the download resumes from where it left off rather than starting over.
- Mac users: After opening the .dmg file, drag the League of Legends icon into your Applications folder, then launch it from there.
Troubleshooting common download issues
The installer says "patching" but progress is stuck
Close the client, wait a minute, and reopen it. If it remains stuck, check your internet connection and temporarily disable your firewall or VPN. Riot's support page also has a patch repair tool you can run from inside the client settings.
The download is extremely slow
Try switching the download region inside the client settings — sometimes a nearby server is congested and another region is faster. You can also try downloading at off-peak hours (early morning).
The client won't launch after installation
Make sure your PC meets the minimum requirements and that you are running Windows 10 or later (or macOS 10.14+). Try right-clicking the desktop shortcut and choosing Run as administrator.
Frequently asked questions
Is League of Legends free to download?
Yes. League of Legends is completely free to download, install, and play. All champions can eventually be unlocked with in-game currency earned by playing. Cosmetics like skins are optional purchases.
Where exactly do I download League of Legends?
The only official source is leagueoflegends.com. Click the Download button on the homepage and the site will give you the correct installer for your operating system automatically.
How large is the League of Legends download?
The initial installer is small (around 90 MB), but the full game data the client then downloads is approximately 15–25 GB depending on the current patch version. Make sure you have at least 25 GB of free disk space before starting.
Can I play League of Legends on Mac?
Yes. League of Legends has a native Mac client available from the same download page. It supports macOS 10.14 (Mojave) and later. Performance may vary on Apple Silicon Macs running the game through Rosetta 2.
Do I need a Riot account to play?
Yes, a free Riot Games account is required. You can create one during installation or beforehand at the Riot website. The same account is used for all Riot titles, including Valorant and Teamfight Tactics.
Ready to hit the Rift
Downloading League of Legends takes only a few minutes once you know where to go. Head to leagueoflegends.com, grab the installer, log in or create a free Riot account, let the client patch, and hit PLAY. If you run into any hiccups along the way, the in-client support tool and Riot's official help centre are good first stops. Good luck on the Rift!
