How Many People Play League of Legends?

Since its launch in 2009 by Riot Games, League of Legends (LoL) has grown from a modest multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) title into a global gaming juggernaut. Known for its strategic depth, diverse champion roster, and thriving esports ecosystem, League continues to captivate millions of players worldwide. But just how many people are stepping into the Rift in 2025? Let’s dive into the latest player count statistics, trends, and what keeps this game at the forefront of the industry.

A Massive Player Base That Keeps Growing

As of early 2025, League of Legends boasts an estimated 130 to 160 million monthly active users (MAU), according to third-party trackers like ActivePlayer.io and industry analyses from Statista. This figure reflects players who log in at least once a month to battle it out on Summoner’s Rift or explore other game modes like ARAM and Arena. While Riot Games doesn’t regularly release official numbers, the game’s monthly player count has remained robust, with occasional spikes driven by major events, new champion releases, and content updates.

On a daily basis, League sees between 25 and 35 million players actively engaging with the game, per ActivePlayer.io’s 2025 estimates. This number fluctuates depending on the time of year, with peaks often tied to esports tournaments like the League of Legends World Championship or special in-game events. For context, Riot announced in 2019 that League had 8 million peak concurrent players daily—meaning players online at the same moment—via an official Riot Games blog post. Today, estimates suggest that number has climbed to around 10 to 14 million concurrent players during peak hours, solidifying League as one of the most-played PC games globally, according to PCGamesN.

Regional Breakdown: Where Are the Players?

League of Legends’s appeal spans continents, with distinct regional servers catering to millions of players. Here’s a snapshot of where the action is hottest in 2025, based on aggregated data:

• China: The undisputed leader, China’s “Super Server” hosts over 70 million monthly players, as estimated by Esports Charts. With a massive gaming culture and high skill ceiling, this region dominates both casual and competitive play.
• Europe West (EUW): The largest Western server, EUW draws players from France, Germany, the UK, and beyond, with an estimated 20 to 25 million monthly players, per League of Graphs.
• South Korea: Despite a smaller population, South Korea punches above its weight with nearly 20 million monthly players, according to Korea Esports Association reports. Known for producing top-tier talent like Faker, Korea remains a powerhouse in League’s esports scene.
• North America (NA): With around 10 to 15 million monthly players, NA holds a significant chunk of the Western player base, per Statista’s gaming data.
• Southeast Asia, Brazil, and Others: Emerging regions like Vietnam, Brazil, and Oceania collectively contribute millions more, with each server boasting vibrant communities, as noted in Riot’s regional updates.

China alone accounts for nearly half of League’s global player base, a testament to the game’s massive popularity in Asia, corroborated by Esports Insider.

Peaks and Valleys: What Drives Player Numbers?

League of Legends has seen its share of highs and lows over the years. In 2022, the game hit a record 180 million monthly players, boosted by the release of the Netflix series Arcane, as Riot confirmed in a 2022 press release. This surge showcased how Riot’s expansion into other media can reignite interest. More recently, 2024 saw a slight dip early in the year, with monthly numbers stabilizing around 140 million, but daily engagement trended upward, hitting peaks of 35 million players in March 2024, per ActivePlayer.io.

Major events like the Worlds 2024 Finals, which drew 6.94 million concurrent viewers (excluding Chinese viewership), per Esports Charts, often correlate with spikes in player activity. New champions, seasonal updates, and limited-time modes like Arena also keep the community buzzing. Despite being over 15 years old, League avoids stagnation by constantly evolving—whether through balance patches, new skins, or cross-game integrations with titles like Wild Rift and Valorant.

How Does League Stack Up?

To put League’s numbers in perspective, let’s compare it to other gaming titans in 2025, using data from Newzoo and SteamDB:

• Minecraft: Around 125 million monthly players (Statista). League edges it out slightly, though Minecraft’s single-player focus makes it less directly comparable.
• Fortnite: Estimated at 80 to 100 million monthly players (Epic Games reports). League’s MOBA dominance outpaces this battle royale giant.
• Counter-Strike 2: Roughly 25 to 30 million monthly players (SteamDB). League dwarfs this FPS staple by a factor of five.
• Dota 2: The rival MOBA clocks in at 10 to 12 million monthly players (Steam Charts), a fraction of League’s reach.

With over 350 million registered accounts (including inactive ones), per a historical Riot milestone from 2019, League’s total reach is staggering. Its daily concurrent player count rivals the combined totals of Steam’s top 10 games, a feat Riot highlighted in 2019 and one that still holds true today, per PCGamesN.

Why So Many Players?

What keeps League of Legends thriving? It’s a mix of accessibility, depth, and community. The free-to-play model lowers the barrier to entry, while minimal hardware requirements ensure it runs on most PCs. With over 160 champions, each offering unique playstyles (League of Legends official site), the game caters to every type of player—from casual fans to aspiring pros. Regular updates, a passionate esports scene, and Riot’s commitment to player engagement (think patch notes, dev blogs, and events) keep the experience fresh.

The social aspect can’t be overstated either. Whether you’re duo-queuing with friends or climbing the ranked ladder solo, League fosters connection. Its cultural impact—spanning Twitch streams with 95 million hours watched monthly (TwitchTracker) to memes and music collaborations—further cements its place in gaming history.

Is League Still Growing?

While League’s explosive growth has slowed since its 2010s peak, it’s far from fading. Projections for 2025 suggest monthly active users will hover between 140 and 160 million, per Newzoo forecasts, with potential spikes if Riot drops another bombshell like Arcane Season 2 or a major gameplay overhaul. Daily engagement remains strong, and the game’s ability to retain players—many of whom have been around for a decade—speaks to its staying power.

Rumors of a “dying game” surface occasionally, but the numbers tell a different story. Even in quieter months, League maintains over 100 million monthly players, a baseline that most titles can only dream of, as tracked by ActivePlayer.io. As long as Riot keeps innovating and stops enraging players, League of Legends will remain a titan.

So, how many people play League of Legends in 2025? Millions—tens of millions daily and over a hundred million monthly. From China’s Super Server to EUW’s competitive queues, the Rift is alive with activity. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newbie, there’s never been a better time to jump in and see why League continues to reign supreme.

Note: Player count estimates are based on aggregated data from third-party sources as of March 14, 2025. Riot Games does not provide official real-time figures.