Is League of Legends Really Dying? A Closer Look at the LoL Player Count in 2025

Despite frequent claims that League of Legends is losing popularity, player numbers actually show the opposite. According to data from LoLNow, League remains one of the world’s most popular games, with a large and active player base.

How many people still play League of Legends in 2025?

This article gathers the most frequently referenced predictions from leading data sources and presents them together. Rather than a single number, it provides a practical range that shows how live-service games typically perform over their lifespan.

As LoLNow sums it up:

League of Legends is incredibly popular, with an estimated 120 to 135 million players active each month. Around 30 to 40 million people play the game on a daily basis.

Even with the lowest estimates, League of Legends remains as popular as major games like Fortnite and Counter-Strike 2. It’s still one of the most-played games on computers worldwide, and it’s definitely not just for a small group of long-time players.

Daily LoL player count and how it affects your queues

Okay, so looking at how many people play a game each month is cool for getting a general idea of its popularity, but honestly, what I really want to know is if I’m gonna be stuck in a huge queue trying to find a match! That’s why I love LoLNow – it doesn’t just look at monthly players, it checks how many people are playing every day, which gives you a much better idea of whether the servers are busy right now.

In the FAQ section, the article explains:

“The daily LoL player count in 2025 is generally placed between 30 and 40 million unique players.”

The game consistently has between one and 1.2 million players online at the same time, with numbers increasing during major updates or international events. This large player base is why login queues are generally quick – a lot of people are playing every day.

LoL player count over time: from explosive growth to stable plateau

What I really liked about the LoLNow article is that it doesn’t just jump to talking about 2025. It breaks everything down year by year, starting all the way back in 2011 and going up to 2025. It shows you exactly how League grew super fast, hit a massive high point, and then slowly leveled off instead of just crashing and burning. It’s a much more complete picture that way.

2011–2013: League goes from “big” to genre-defining, effectively taking over the MOBA space.
2014–2016: Riot confirms 67M MAU in 2014 and 100M in 2016, aligning with steady growth.
2017–2018: Numbers dip as other games appear and some veterans move on.
2019–2022: A second surge, with MAU peaking around the 150M+ range.
2023–2025: A clear step down from peak, but still comfortably above 100M monthly players.

To capture the peak years, the article notes:

“Most long-form stats articles agree that League of Legends reached its all-time high around 2022.”

League of Legends has transitioned from a period of rapid expansion to a more sustainable, long-term phase. While it’s not attracting as many new players as before, it still maintains a very large and dedicated player base.

Is League of Legends dying?

Many people wonder how many players League of Legends currently has, and that’s what most conversations about the game’s popularity focus on. The LoLNow website directly addresses this question, even discussing whether the game might decline in 2025.

The answer is blunt:

“The honest answer is ‘not really’.”

While the game’s player base has decreased from its peak of around 152 million monthly active users, and some players have left due to competition and concerns about in-game purchases, maintaining approximately 130 million monthly players after over a decade suggests the game is stable and not in serious decline.

The game remains popular thanks to its thriving esports scene. Major leagues and global tournaments, like Worlds, MSI, the LPL, LCK, LEC, and LCS, are followed by a massive audience on the official LoL Esports website.

Why different websites show different LoL player count numbers

If you’ve ever searched online for the number of League of Legends players, you’ve likely found conflicting information. LoLNow dedicates a section to explaining these discrepancies and why they aren’t cause for concern.

The main problem is Riot Games doesn’t share current, public data about key metrics. While they announce major updates, specific numbers are kept private, as one article points out.

“Because there’s no central, official dashboard anyone can pull from.”

This means companies that track user numbers and online communities have to make educated guesses, combining data from public sources, how their own users behave, and their own prediction methods. Because of this, exact numbers can vary depending on the data used or the prediction model. However, the overall trend should remain the same: a large surge in users around 2022, followed by a gradual decrease, and then a leveling off at a high number – well over 100 million monthly active users.

LoL player count by region and how it shapes the scene

The LoLNow article also analyzes the player base by region, using estimates from the League of Legends community and information from the game servers. Although these numbers aren’t exact, they clearly show a trend:

China holds the largest slice of the global LoL player count, often quoted as more than half of all players.
Europe (EUW + EUNE) forms the next big cluster, backed by a deep solo queue and long esports history.
Korea has a smaller population but extremely high engagement and skill.
North America remains a sizable, steady region.
Other regions (LATAM, BR, SEA, OCE, etc.) add up to a meaningful and still-growing slice.

These trends are also visible in professional esports. If you visit LeagueofLegends.com for game updates and then check out LoL Esports, you’ll notice that the LPL, LCK, LEC, and LCS leagues are the main events that players around the world tune in to every year.

LoL player count by rank: where most players actually sit

Just looking at overall player numbers isn’t very helpful. It’s easier to understand when you see how players are spread across the different ranks. LoLNow uses data from 2025 to give an idea of how many players are in each tier, ranging from Iron to Challenger.

Most League of Legends players fall within the Bronze to Gold ranks, especially Silver and Gold. Only a small percentage reach the higher tiers like Diamond, Master, and Challenger.

If you’ve been consistently ranking around Gold or Silver, the data shows you’re actually in line with the majority of players, not stuck in a difficult ranking bracket.

Is it still worth starting League of Legends in 2025?

Given League of Legends’ complex history and how difficult it can be to learn, it’s reasonable to wonder if it’s a good time to start playing. The LoLNow FAQ actually answers this question, taking into account how many people are currently playing the game.

The article’s answer is encouraging but realistic:

“If you enjoy competitive games… then yes, it can still be worth giving League a try.”

With so many people playing, you’ll find matches start quickly and there’s always a ton of content to enjoy, plus lots of helpful guides and videos. Just be aware that it takes time and dedication to improve – it’s a game you’ll invest in over the long haul, not just pick up for a weekend.

Why the LoLNow player count breakdown is worth keeping on hand

The debate about League of Legends’ health – whether it’s declining, stable, or growing – continues. A clear, data-backed look at player numbers helps make these conversations more concrete. LoLNow has compiled a detailed guide covering long-term trends, daily activity, regional differences, and rank breakdowns, all with insightful commentary. It’s a great resource to share whenever the topic of League’s player base comes up. Combining this guide with official information from Riot Games, LeagueofLegends.com, and LoL Esports provides a comprehensive view of how many people are still playing each month.

2025-12-04 21:40