Riot Games Increases Regional League of Legends Currency Costs by Up to 73%

Riot Games Increases Regional League of Legends Currency Costs by Up to 70%

Riot Games has announced significant price changes to the virtual currency used across its live games, including League of Legends, Valorant, Teamfight Tactics, and more. These adjustments aim to combat third-party trading issues, but many players will soon see a sharp increase in costs. Let’s dive into the details and explore how these changes will impact players across the globe.

League of Legends Currency Price Changes

Riot Games is altering the price of virtual currency across several of its games. While some regions will benefit from price reductions, the majority will experience increases, with some costs rising as much as 70%. These changes are set to come into effect on Wednesday, September 18, and will vary by region.

For example, in countries like Ukraine, the cost of League of Legends currency will increase by an average of 73%, while Vietnam and the Philippines will see increases of 41% and 40% respectively. On the other hand, certain regions will enjoy reduced prices, such as Mexico with a 9% reduction, Peru with 12%, and Chile with a 6% decrease.

Reasons Behind the Price Hikes

According to Riot, these price changes are primarily driven by efforts to curb third-party trading and the exploitation of regional pricing. Many third-party sellers use VPNs to take advantage of lower prices in specific regions, buying currency at a discount and selling it in higher-cost areas for profit. This practice has led to significant pricing imbalances, forcing Riot to take action.

Riot explained, “When prices vary too widely, it opens the door for third parties to exploit these differences. Our goal is to ensure that everyone is playing on a level field by balancing currency values more consistently across regions.”

Impact on Players

While some regions will see reductions, the increases in other areas, particularly those facing significant economic challenges, are expected to hit hard. Riot admits that these changes "mostly suck" for affected players but maintains that they are necessary to combat manipulation and maintain fairness. The USA, notably, remains unaffected by these changes for now, meaning League of Legends and Valorant players in the United States will see no change in pricing.

To help ease the transition, Riot is enhancing some existing currency bundles. For example, the Valorant 2050 VP bundle will now offer a bonus of 300 VP instead of the previous 150 VP, offering slightly better value.

When Will the Changes Take Effect?

The new prices will be implemented on Wednesday, September 18 across all Riot live games. If you are in a region where prices will increase, it might be a good idea to purchase currency bundles before that date to avoid paying the higher costs.

Riot Games’ decision to increase virtual currency prices in many regions has sparked mixed reactions from the community. While necessary to prevent third-party abuse, these changes will likely place a heavier burden on players in regions with large price increases. Riot remains committed to ensuring fairness across all regions, hoping these adjustments will create a more balanced and secure gaming economy.

If you want to prepare for the changes or stay ahead in the game, check out our League of Legends tier list and a complete breakdown of the League of Legends ranks.