League of Legends Winter Map returns in Patch 25.23

Riot Games has announced the return of the beloved Winter Map to League of Legends for Patch 25.23.

The Winter Map tradition was introduced in League of Legends’ release year, 2009. As part of the Winter Snowdown seasonal campaign, the Summoner’s Rift was transformed into a winter wonderland packed with Christmas trees, ornaments and candy canes. 

The event previously featured Christmas-themed champion skins for the first time, such as ‘Snowbunny Nidalee’ and ‘Workshop Nunu’. Later winter events saw the additions of animated log-in screens, seasonal game modes and more in-game accessories. 

While the Snowdown editions of 2013-2015 came without the Winter Map, Riot Games cancelled the event entirely in 2019. At the time, the publisher explained that a winter-themed Summoner’s Rift wasn’t possible due to the recently added elemental drakes.

Other time-limited events, such as ‘Night and ‘Dawn’, were held in the following years, but none featured the Winter Map or Snowdown’s signature festive atmosphere.

However, earlier today, Riot unveiled that winter will return to the Summoner’s Rift with Patch 25.23 set to drop on November 19th. Rumours about the news first began circulating in August following a post by League of Legends Leaks & News on X (formerly Twitter).

“Winter Map is coming back everyone,” revealed League of Legends Executive Producer, Paul ‘Pabro’ Belleza, in today’s announcement video.

Although a dedicated winter event has not been confirmed, the announcement video provided a first look at the upcoming Winter Map.

For League of Legends’ festive comeback, Riot has transformed the nexus into a snowglobe encircled by a Poro train. Minions in charming coats patrol the snowy landscape, and the Baron has been equipped with a Santa hat and mittens.

Whilst the Winter Map comeback will likely spark excitement throughout all corners of the LoL community, the game’s competitive scene still has its eyes set on the ongoing League of Legends World Championship 2025.

The largest international tournament in the annual League of Legends competitive calendar kicked off on October 14th. Sixteen teams from across the globe have shown up at the Swiss Stage, but only one can lift the 2025 Worlds trophy on November 9th.

As the Swiss Stage heads to its conclusion, today’s matches saw Anyone’s Legend and KT Rolster become the first teams to qualify for the Knockout Stage.