Have you ever wondered if you could leap across virtual borders and join your friends in different regions while playing League of Legends, all without reaching for your wallet? You’re not alone. Many players dream of this gaming freedom, yet the reality is as rigid as a well-structured game strategy. To shift your Riot Games account’s region, there’s a catch—it’s not free, and it comes with a price tag of 2,600 Riot Points. Just like in the game, navigating these restrictions requires a bit of resourcefulness and savvy. So, is the monetary investment really worth the chance to dodge latency and unite with your in-game allies? Let’s dive into the world of region changes in League of Legends and find out how you can make it happen!
Can You Change Regions in League of Legends for Free?
If you’re hoping to team up with friends across different regions or planning to relocate to another country, transferring your Riot Games account region is a fairly straightforward process. However, the transfer itself cannot be done for free—this service incurs a fee of 2,600 Riot Points (RP), which you can purchase through the League of Legends client app store. Once the payment is made, the changes take effect instantly.
How to Play League of Legends in Another Region
When a new user creates a Riot Games account, they are automatically assigned to a server according to their geographical location. To access different regions, utilizing a VPN like ExpressVPN is highly recommended. This tool not only provides the capability to change your location, but it also safeguards your online activity from potential threats.
Steps to Change Your League of Legends Region Using a VPN
Step 1: Get ExpressVPN
Begin by subscribing to ExpressVPN, which offers a secure connection between your device and the internet, thus encrypting your online data. By using this VPN, you can also change your IP address to make it appear as though you’re currently located in another country. Make sure to download the app compatible with your operating system, be it Windows or macOS. Every subscription comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
Step 2: Select a VPN Server Location
Launch the ExpressVPN app and connect to one of its many high-speed servers spread across 105 countries. It’s advisable to choose a server situated near your real location to ensure optimal performance.
Step 3: Create a New Riot Games Account
Visit the League of Legends website and register for a new Riot account. Be attentive to select the correct region from the dropdown list during the registration process, as this will determine your future transfer options.
Step 4: Start Playing League of Legends
Once your account setup is complete, reconnect through ExpressVPN and enjoy League of Legends in your chosen new region!
Why a New Riot Games Account is Necessary
Each Riot account is unique and is inherently linked to a specific League of Legends region. This means that if your account originates from the U.S., your gameplay will be restricted to U.S. servers. To play alongside friends located in other regions, you will need to establish a separate Riot Games account tailored to that area. However, if you wish to continue using your primary account in a new region, transferring that account will be required.
Transferring Your Account Region with Riot Points
As previously mentioned, transferring your account region is a paid process. To initiate this, follow these steps:
- Click on the store button in the League of Legends client’s homepage.
- Click on Purchase RP.
- Select your preferred payment method.
- Choose an option that provides at least 2,600 RP (approximately USD $20).
- Input your payment information.
- Return to the main store interface.
- Click on the account tab.
- Pick your desired League of Legends server region.
Congratulations! You are now set to play League of Legends in your new region. Remember that you may revert your account back to its original region within two weeks of your last gameplay in the new region.
Available Transfer Locations for League of Legends
Here’s a concise list of available transfer options based on your origin region:
| Transfer From | Transfer To |
|---|---|
| North America (NA) | Europe West, Europe Nordic and East, Brazil, Oceania, Russia, Turkey, Latin America North, Latin America South, Japan |
| Europe West (EUW) | North America, Europe Nordic and East, Brazil, Oceania, Russia, Turkey, Latin America North, Latin America South, Japan |
| Europe Nordic and East (EUNE) | North America, Europe West, Brazil, Oceania, Russia, Turkey, Latin America North, Latin America South, Japan |
| Latin America North (LAN) | North America, Brazil, Latin America South, Europe West, Europe Nordic and East, Japan |
| Latin America South (LAS) | North America, Brazil, Latin America North, Europe West, Europe Nordic and East, Japan |
| Russia or Turkey (RU and TR) | North America, Europe West, Europe Nordic and East, Japan |
| Oceania (OCE) | North America, Europe West, Europe Nordic and East, Brazil, Russia, Turkey, Latin America North, Latin America South, Japan |
| Japan (JP) | North America, Europe West, Europe Nordic and East, Brazil, Oceania, Russia, Turkey, Latin America North, Latin America South |
Why Choose ExpressVPN for League of Legends?
Robust Security Features
Protect yourself against DDoS attacks by masking your IP address. ExpressVPN also offers 256-bit AES encryption, leak protection, a reliable kill switch, and split tunneling.
Optimized Connectivity
Experience unlimited bandwidth and reduce ping and lag thanks to a network of VPN servers in 105 countries.
Avoid ISP Throttling
Prevent your internet service provider from restricting your connection speed. With a VPN, your data remains private, ensuring your bandwidth is unaffected.
Broader Access to Content
Gain access to the latest downloadable content and games early in certain countries. Play titles that may be restricted in your region.
Compatibility with Multiple Devices
Whether gaming on a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, tablet, or smartphone, ExpressVPN supports all your devices.
Borderless Gaming Experience
It doesn’t matter where you are around the globe; you can change your account region and connect with friends for games.
Can Free VPNs Be Used for League of Legends?
Using free proxy services for online gaming is not advisable. These services often lack the privacy and security benefits that paid VPNs provide. Many free options may fail to work as promised, potentially sell your data, and leave your connection susceptible to external threats.
| ExpressVPN | Typical Free VPNs | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Data Limit | Unlimited | 10GB |
| Number of Countries with Servers | 105 | <10 |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat | Limited |
| Compatible Devices | All popular devices | Desktop and mobile |
| Tracks Your Online Activity | Never | Sometimes |
| Simultaneous Connections | Up to 8 | 1 |
| Custom VPN Protocol | Lightway | None |
Install a VPN for League of Legends Across Your Devices
With just one ExpressVPN subscription, you can access the VPN on every popular platform. If you need a VPN for multiple devices, you can install ExpressVPN on all your gadgets and use it simultaneously on up to eight devices.
Frequently Asked Questions: Region Changes in League of Legends
Here’s a recap of what will and won’t transfer when you move your Riot Games account to a new region:
- Transferred: Summoner Level, Champions and Skins (including Ward Skins), Emotes, Rune Pages, Summoner Icons, XP Boosts, Blue Essence, Remaining RP (less the transfer fee), Friends List, Hextech Crafting Inventory, Champion Mastery Levels, Hidden MMR (adjusted for the new region), Statistics (games played, kills, wins, etc.), Loading Screen Borders, Item Sets, Summoner Name (if available), Username (as long as it’s globally unique), Eternals Progress, and Challenges Progress.
- Not Transferred: Victory Points, Honor Level, Forum Badges, Current Ranked League Placement, Mission Progress, Your Shop Offers, Clash Trophies, Clash Banners, Clash Flag Frames, Clash Club Affiliations, and Loot Milestone Progress.
Yes, you can play League of Legends with players from other countries through two avenues:
- Create a new Riot Games account in another region.
- Transfer your existing account to a different region. This process requires payment and is limited to certain regions depending on your account’s original region.
Indeed, you can transfer your Riot Games account to different regions, a process that costs 2,600 RP (approximately USD $20), and is subject to region-specific limitations based on your account’s origin.
To check which League of Legends region you’re currently in, simply hover over your summoner icon on the League of Legends client app’s homepage.
Finding out the status of your local League of Legends server is simple:
- Click on League of Legends.
- Choose your region and language.
- Click Confirm.
This will give you insight into any ongoing issues affecting your region’s servers.
Switching to servers in Asia varies by specific country. For instance, transferring your account to Japan allows either creating a new account or transferring an existing one. On the other hand, Southeast Asia presents more challenges, as account transfers are restricted; while you can transfer into Southeast Asia, transferring out is currently disabled as of mid-2023.
Transferring to play on South Korean servers also poses difficulties, requiring a South Korean Social Security Number (KSSN) and a local phone number for registration.
Finally, accessing the servers managed by Tencent (Riot Games’ parent company) in China is generally not feasible, including account transfers in and out of the region.
With ExpressVPN, boasting servers in over 105 countries, top-notch encryption, and blazing fast speeds, it remains the ideal solution for playing League of Legends across different regions.
