ARURF is set to return to League of Legends soon

Jack Stewart, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 09/01/2026

Riot Games has confirmed that rotating game mode ARURF is coming back to League of Legends very soon.

In fact, it is coming in just under a month’s time, as it will release with LoL Patch 26.3 on February 4th.

ARURF is a classic and popular LoL mode with URF’s low cooldowns and ability costs with ARAM’s random champions and small map.

The result is pure chaos as random champions spam abilities and constantly fight in the single lane of Howling Abyss.

However, this decision is quite a surprising one as Riot has also confirmed that ARAM Mayhem is staying in League of Legends.

The mode was supposed to leave with the recent release of LoL Patch 26.1 and the start of the 2026 season.

While not yet permanent, the game mode has proven to be extremely popular and offers much of what players would want from ARURF – fun, low-pressure gameplay.

And what’s especially surprising is that on Patch 26.3, the same patch that ARURF is returning, ARAM Mayhem is getting a big update.

It’s possible that Riot is looking to test the staying power of ARAM Mayhem, with many players calling for the mode to become permanent.

The mode initially released back in October and was immediately a fan favourite.

So much so that back in November, Riot had already decided to extend ARAM Mayhem’s first stint in League of Legends.

Like ARURF, ARAM Mayhem is played with randomly drafted champions and on the Howling Abyss map.

But what makes it unique is that the mode offers players power-ups (augments), which add a lot of chaos and ridiculous combos to the game.

These augments mostly come from Arena, another new mode that has proven to be very popular with League of Legends players.

What’s coming to League of Legends in 2026?

As well as all the side modes, Riot has made a ton of changes to League of Legends’ gameplay for 2026.

And Summoner’s Rift has a new look with Riot opting for a Demacia theme for the new season.

That led to the release of the new Salvation League of Legends cinematic, which gave a first look at the upcoming Shyvana VGU.

Meanwhile, the esport is also seeing some tweaks this year, like some tournaments are allowing coaches to speak with their players.

Additionally, there is a new side selection system where teams will get to pick either what side they play on or if whether draft first or second.

And Riot has confirmed the LEC, LCS, and LCK will no longer have prize pools.

Jack Stewart, Senior Editor

In my seven years of esports writing, I've introduced esports coverage to newspapers, interviewed some of the biggest names in the industry, and driven viewers mad with the puns in my YouTube scripts. I'm most proud of the latter.

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