For millions of players around the globe, League of Legends (LoL) isn’t just a game—it’s a lifestyle. But what happens when you move to a new country, want to play with friends overseas, or simply seek a different competitive experience? Riot Games allows players to change their server region, but the process comes with caveats that are often misunderstood. In this article, we break down how to change your server in League of Legends, what it costs, and what you need to know before making the switch.
Why Change Servers?
There are several reasons players might want to change servers in League of Legends:
- Relocation: Moving to a new country often means dealing with higher ping if you continue playing on your original server.
- Playing with Friends: You may want to join a different server to play with friends or family in another region.
- Language Preference: Some servers cater to specific language groups, which can enhance communication and gameplay experience.
- Different Meta or Competition: Players sometimes explore new regions for different metas, queue times, or competition levels.
Whatever your reason, Riot offers a way—but not without a price.
How to Change Your League of Legends Server
Changing servers is relatively simple through the Riot Client, but it requires purchasing a Realm Transfer.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Log In to the Riot Client: Launch the Riot Client and sign in to your League of Legends account.
- Go to the Store: Click on the Store icon (a stack of coins), usually found in the top-right corner.
- Select the “Account” Tab: On the Store’s menu, navigate to the Account section. It’s symbolized by a small profile icon.
- Choose Your Desired Server: You’ll see a list of available regions. Select the one you wish to move to. Keep in mind that China is excluded due to separate account systems.
- Purchase the Transfer: A server transfer costs 2,600 Riot Points (RP)—approximately $20–$25 USD, depending on your region and RP package.
- Confirm and Restart: Once the purchase is complete, your account will be migrated to the new server. The client may restart during the process.
What Carries Over—and What Doesn’t
Before you click “confirm,” it’s important to understand what transfers and what doesn’t. A server transfer does not move all of your data.
You’ll keep:
- Your Summoner Name (if available on the new server)
- Purchased skins and champions
- Rune pages and emotes
- Honor level
You’ll lose or reset:
- Friends list
- Match history
- Ranked progression (you start over in placements)
- Clash team affiliations
Because ranked ladders vary by region, you will begin your ranked climb anew after transferring.
Can You Play Cross-Region Instead?
Unfortunately, League of Legends does not support cross-server play. Your account is tied to a specific region’s server infrastructure, and each region has its own databases. If you want to play with someone on another server, you’ll either need to transfer your account or create a new one in that region.
Are There Alternatives?
If you’re not ready to commit to a transfer, consider creating a second account in your target region. This option is free but requires you to re-earn champions and items from scratch. It’s a good way to test ping and the in-game experience before investing RP in a permanent move.
Final Thoughts
Switching League of Legends servers can open up new opportunities—whether that means reconnecting with distant friends or competing in a different ranked environment. However, it’s a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly, given the cost and the potential data loss.
If you’re serious about continuing your LoL journey from a new corner of the globe, Riot’s server transfer system is a convenient—if pricey—solution to stay in the game no matter where you are.
Written by:
Christian