League of Legends thrives on variety—hundreds of champions, countless strategies, and evolving metas. But when it comes to maps, things are far more rigid. Unlike some games that allow players to freely select arenas, League of Legends does not offer a built-in way to change maps.
Instead, maps are tied to specific game modes or temporary events controlled by Riot Games. Still, there are both official and unofficial ways players encounter different environments on the Rift.
Official Map Changes: Game Modes and Events
For standard play, maps are automatically assigned depending on the mode:
- Summoner’s Rift (5v5): The iconic competitive map used in ranked and normal games.
- Howling Abyss (ARAM): A single-lane battlefield designed for fast, chaotic gameplay.
- Rotating Maps: Occasionally, Riot revives alternative modes like Nexus Blitz or Ultimate Spellbook, each with their own tailored maps.
In addition to game modes, Riot frequently introduces seasonal or thematic map skins. These special versions—such as Spirit Blossom Rift, snow-covered winter maps, or event-themed overlays—are applied globally during live events.
Players cannot toggle them on or off; they are automatically activated for all matches during the patch cycle.
Unofficial Custom Map Skins
While Riot limits official map selection, a segment of the community has turned to third-party tools for customization. Certain programs allow players to download and install custom map skins, altering textures, lighting, and visual effects on Summoner’s Rift.
The process generally involves:
- Downloading the chosen custom skin files.
- Using a mod manager to inject them into the client.
- Launching League of Legends with the modified visuals active.
These changes are purely cosmetic and do not alter gameplay mechanics. However, Riot has historically warned that unofficial modifications may fall under Terms of Service violations, meaning there is some risk of penalties. Many players report using them without issues, but the practice remains unofficial and unsupported.
No In-Game Selector
Despite community demand, League of Legends still lacks an in-game map selector. Players cannot directly choose which map or aesthetic they want to play on—outside of game mode choice or Riot’s temporary live events. For most, the only options are to embrace the official rotations or cautiously explore custom modifications.
The Bottom Line
Changing maps in League of Legends isn’t as simple as toggling a menu. Riot maintains tight control over which maps are available, keeping the experience consistent for all players.
Officially, your options are tied to game modes and seasonal events. Unofficially, adventurous players can experiment with community-made map skins—but always at their own risk.
Written by:
Christian