Patch 7.0: Ionia Celebrations Opens a New Year in Wild Rift
Wild Rift’s first update of the year lands on January 22 (UTC). It reshapes the map, adds new champions, tweaks how fights flow, brings back beloved modes, and more. The patch aims to feel fresh while keeping the game accessible for players of all levels.
Wild Rift Season Calendar 2026
Looking for Season 20 end dates or Season 21 start dates? Here’s what we know about the 2026 ranked timeline:
- Season 20 Start: January 2026 (with Patch 7.0)
- Season 20 End Date: Expected around late March to early April 2026 (based on typical 10–12 week seasons)
- Season 21 Start Date: Expected shortly after Season 20 ends, likely mid-April 2026
- Ranked Reward (Season 20): Teemo skin
- Wild Pass: Food Spirits Ziggs, followed by Janitor Thresh
Wild Rift seasons typically run 10 to 12 weeks. Season 20 kicked off with the Ionia Celebrations patch. If the pattern holds, Season 20 will wrap in late March or early April, with a short preseason window before Season 21 launches with its own ranked reset and rewards.
Spring Festival Comes to the Rift
The new year kicks off with Ionia Celebrations, a season-long fest in Wild Rift. It packs festival-themed missions, exclusive rewards, and a sense of event mood across the title. You can expect plenty of new content as the celebration unfolds.
– Petals of Spring is the new skin line created with the League of Legends team. It brings a bright, spring look to several champs.
– Arena returns with updated rules and a festival vibe. Fortune Bringer Goldie, a quirky festival monster, makes a cameo as a Companion.
– Expect balance shifts and tweaks to the flow of fights so matches feel faster and more engaging.
For a list of the new champions, see the New Champions page.
Two New Champions Step Into the Rift
Smolder, the Fiery Fledgling, arrives as a new ADC. He grows stronger as he stacks and evolves, turning into a real late-game threat if given time to bloom.
Mel, the Soul’s Reflection, is a long-range mage who can flex between mid and support. She can copy enemy abilities, rewarding smart positioning and precise timing.
For a list of the new champions, see the New Champions page.
Map Upgrades and Core Gameplay Changes
The 7.0 patch reworks visuals and how the map plays. The new Ionia Rift takes the place of Bandle City, offering a brighter look and less fog in the jungle. This helps players read the map clearer and make better calls on vision.
Spirit Flowers appear on the Rift when an allied champion dies, so teams can carry on their energy after a team wipe. They also show up where a jungle monster is stolen from the other side, giving players new spots to play around.
A Mid Lane Wind Zone lands in the same patch. Mid laners gain a speed boost that helps them roam and help other lanes more easily.
Other notable tweaks include:
– Monster respawn timing is easier to read now, making jungle paths simpler to plan.
– New items: Abyssal Mask, Hollow Radiance, and Guinsoo’s Rageblade join the shop.
– Support item build paths get streamlined for smoother choices.
– Baron laners earn more experience and hit their item power curves a bit earlier.
– Turret damage has risen, balancing the poke and siege pace after player feedback.
For more on Map Upgrades, check the Map Upgrades page.
Modes That Matter: ARAM, Arena, and More
ARAM becomes a permanent mode in Patch 7.0, with tighter visuals, a smoother start, and updated runes. A new mechanic, Flying Swords, lets players bring a blade of their own into the fight, unlocking extra rune effects and fresh combos mid-match.
Arena is back with a new map and better gameplay. It now supports up to 16 players, paving the way for bigger, louder skirmishes.
Ranked Season, Wild Pass, and Rewards
Season 20 of Wild Rift Ranked starts, and Teemo earns a new skin as a ranked reward. The first Wild Pass features Food Spirits Ziggs, followed by Janitor Thresh later in the season.
Skins and Visual Showpieces in Patch 7.0
The patch brings a robust skin lineup, including:
– Petals of the Spring Lillia and Smolder
– Lunar Empress Morgana Exquisite Edition
– Lunar Guardian sets for Sett and Warwick
– Lunar Empress Syndra
– Dragonblade Talon
– Cosmic Guardian Galio and Cosmic Commander Swain
– Dragonmancer Fiora, Nilah, and Vayne
– Garden Party Tryndamere
– Durian Defender Rammus
– Pug’Maw
These skins add flair to the new and returning content, giving players plenty of eye candy as they roam the Rift.
What This Update Means for Players
The Ionia-themed changes push for clearer fights and faster pacing. The map refresh helps vision reads, while the Wind Zone and Spirit Flowers push roamers to stay active. Returning modes and new items give players fresh tools and rules to explore.
If you’re chasing new champs, Smolder’s scaling and Mel’s ability to mirror foes add new ways to play. The breath of changes to items and experience curves should shake up mid to late game decisions. The column of updates aims to keep Wild Rift evolving while staying easy to pick up for new players.
Accessibility remains a focus, with clearer spawn timings and more forgiving turret damage to balance early and late game pressure. The broader roster of skins gives a year-start spark that players can chase through events and grind.
For anyone eyeing the new features, Patch 7.0 is set to make the start of 2026 feel revitalized on the Rift. The mix of new heroes, map changes, and returning modes promises a lively season ahead.
Official site: https://wildrift.leagueoflegends.com/en-sg/
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does Wild Rift Season 20 end?
Season 20 is expected to end in late March to early April 2026, based on the typical 10–12 week season cycle.
When does Wild Rift Season 21 start?
Season 21 is expected to begin mid-April 2026, shortly after Season 20 concludes with a brief preseason window.
What is the current season in Wild Rift?
As of early 2026, Season 20 is active, having launched alongside Patch 7.0 in January.
What are the ranked rewards for Season 20?
The Season 20 ranked reward is a Teemo skin. The Wild Pass features Food Spirits Ziggs and Janitor Thresh.
Is ARAM permanent in Wild Rift now?
Yes. ARAM became a permanent mode starting with Patch 7.0, featuring updated visuals, runes, and the new Flying Swords mechanic.
