Changing your in-game identity in League of Legends used to mean paying local currency for a Summoner Name change. Riot Games updated the account system to Riot IDs, making your username and tagline free to modify once every 90 days. Whether you want to drop an old handle, match with duo partners, or clean up your profile, updating your display name takes less than two minutes through your account management page.
Before Riot transitioned fully to Riot IDs, players needed to spend Blue Essence or RP to alter their monikers. Now, your identifier consists of a game name followed by a hashtag and a 3-to-5-character tagline, which links your identity across Valorant, Teamfight Tactics, and League of Legends. You don't need to launch the client or spend in-game currency to make the switch.
Understanding the Riot ID System
Your Riot ID functions as your universal passport across every game developed by Riot Games. It separates your account login name from what other players see in lobbies and scoreboards.
Your identifier consists of two distinct parts: As highlighted in latest coverage by Reuters, the implications are worth noting.
- Game Name: The main text displayed to other players in chat and loading screens, up to 16 characters long.
- Tagline: A 3-to-5-character alphanumeric code preceded by a hashtag, such as #NA1 or #EUW.
Using this dual structure allows multiple players to share the same Game Name as long as their taglines differ. You won't have to worry about your preferred moniker being taken by an inactive account from 2011, provided your chosen tagline keeps your overall combination unique.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Change Your Riot ID
Updating your display name requires visiting the official account portal. Follow these exact steps to complete the process on desktop or mobile browsers.
- Close your League of Legends client and Riot Client to prevent synchronization errors during the update.
- Navigate to your Riot Account Management page in any web browser.
- Log in using your credentials. If two-factor authentication is enabled, enter the verification code sent to your email.
- Locate the Riot ID tab on the left-hand menu of your dashboard.
- Enter your desired new Game Name in the first text box and your new Tagline (or keep your existing one) in the second box.
- Click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the screen.
- Launch your game client to verify that your new name appears correctly in your profile and friends list.
Cooldown Rules and Restrictions
Riot enforces strict rules regarding how often you can update your handle to prevent impersonation, harassment, and confusion in high-tier competitive ladders.
You can change your Riot ID for free once every 90 days. The account management page displays a precise countdown timer showing exactly when your next free change becomes available.
Additionally, certain naming restrictions apply to keep the platform fair and safe:
- Profanity Filters: Names containing offensive terms, slurs, or hate speech trigger automated blocks and can result in manual account suspensions if bypassed with alternate characters.
- Impersonation: Posing as official Riot staff members (using tags like Riot or Brightmoon) is strictly prohibited and leads to immediate forced name resets or account bans.
- Length Limits: Game names must remain between 3 and 16 characters, while taglines must stay between 3 and 5 characters.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Players often run into avoidable roadblocks when updating their display names. Keeping these pitfalls in mind ensures a smooth transition.
Don't forget to log out of the Riot Client before saving your changes. If the client stays open in the background, it might cache your old Summoner Name and fail to display your new Riot ID until you perform a full restart.
Another common error involves choosing taglines that are too difficult for friends to type when sending invite requests. While you can use custom tags, sticking to your regional default (like #NA1, #EUW, or #KR1) makes it much easier for teammates to add you after a match.
Finally, double-check your spelling before hitting save. Because of the 90-day cooldown restriction, a typo in your new handle means you'll be stuck with that misspelling for three months unless you contact player support for an exception—which agents rarely grant for voluntary typos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my Riot ID cost Blue Essence or RP?
No. Modifying your Riot ID is completely free. The old system of spending 1300 RP or 13,900 Blue Essence for a Summoner Name change was permanently retired when Riot unified account names.
Will changing my name remove my friends list or match history?
No. Your internal account identifier remains unchanged. Your friends list, rank, match history, loot, and champion masteries stay completely intact across the update.
Can other players use my exact Game Name?
Yes, as long as your taglines are different. For example, AhriFan#NA1 and AhriFan#EUW can exist simultaneously because their unique taglines differentiate them in the database.
What should I do if my preferred name is blocked by the system?
If the system flags your name as inappropriate or restricted, try altering the spelling slightly or choosing a completely different combination. Avoid using look-alike unicode characters designed to bypass moderation filters, as these violate the terms of service.
