League of Legends, Riot Games’ massively popular MOBA, thrives on its competitive ranked system, where players climb (or descend) through divisions from Iron to Challenger. But for many players, one recurring question stands out — especially for those wanting to queue with friends: Can Bronze players queue with Gold players in ranked games?
The Short Answer: No, Not in Solo/Duo Queue. Yes, but with limits in Flex Queue.
As of 2025, Bronze players cannot play ranked duo queue with Gold players in the Solo/Duo Queue mode. Riot Games implements strict “ranked duo restrictions” to preserve matchmaking integrity and ensure fair competition.
Here’s how it works for Solo/Duo Queue:
Riot applies a “ranked duo restriction” that generally limits players to queueing with others within one tier of their current rank. This system prevents extremely wide skill disparities in duos that could negatively affect the quality of games.
- A Bronze player (Iron, Bronze, Silver): Can only duo with players who are in Iron, Bronze, or Silver.
- A Gold player (Silver, Gold, Platinum): Can only duo with players who are in Silver, Gold, or Platinum.
This means a Bronze IV player cannot duo with a Gold IV player, nor can a Bronze I player duo with a Gold IV player. The ranks are simply too far apart for Solo/Duo Queue.
Flex Queue Is More Forgiving
The other ranked mode, Flex Queue, has significantly more lenient rules, but still enforces limits. In Flex:
- Bronze players can team up with Gold players, but generally, players must be within two tiers of each other. For example, a Bronze player might be able to queue with a Silver or Gold player, and a Gold player might be able to queue with a Silver, Gold, or Platinum player.
- The restrictions are primarily enforced in extreme cases where the skill gap is immense (e.g., an Iron player trying to queue with a Diamond player in a small group), which is rare.
Flex Queue was designed with more social and team-based play in mind. It’s not typically used for professional qualifications, which makes it more casual — and Riot reflects that in its pairing rules, allowing for a wider range of skill levels within a party compared to Solo/Duo.
Featured League of Legends accounts
on North America
One Free skin included with
every account
Why These Restrictions Exist
Riot’s aim is to balance fair competition with social interaction. Ranked games, especially Solo/Duo, are intended to be a test of individual skill, and allowing massive skill gaps would undermine the credibility of the climb.
For example, a Bronze IV player duoing with a Gold I friend in Solo/Duo would create an unnatural imbalance — both for teammates and opponents — leading to frustrating experiences.
These restrictions help maintain:
- Matchmaking fairness
- Accurate skill representation
- A healthy progression system
Tips for Duoing Across Ranks
If you’re a Bronze player trying to play ranked with a Gold-ranked friend:
- Try Flex Queue — it’s the only ranked mode where there’s a chance to play together, provided your ranks aren’t too far apart based on the two-tier rule.
- Focus on individual improvement to close the rank gap organically. If the Bronze player reaches Silver and the Gold player is low Gold, they might be able to queue together in Flex.
- Consider playing unranked modes (like Normal Draft Pick or ARAM) together, where there are no such rank restrictions.
Final Thoughts
While Bronze and Gold players generally cannot queue together in Solo/Duo Ranked due to Riot’s strict matchmaking rules, there are still ways to enjoy League together, primarily in Flex Queue (with limitations) or unranked modes. As long as both players respect the competitive environment and work toward improving, climbing the ranked ladder or simply enjoying games together is absolutely possible.
Written by:
Christian