How to play League of Legends in a different region

Any time a new player signs up for a Riot Games account to play League of Legends, they’ll automatically be assigned a server based on their region. ExpressVPN is the best VPN for playing League of Legends—helping you to change your location to play in different regions.

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  • How to play League of Legends in a different region
  • Why do you need a new Riot Games account?
  • Change your account region with Riot Points
  • Which League of Legends regions can you transfer to?
  • Why is ExpressVPN the best VPN for League of Legends?
  • Can I use a free VPN to play League of Legends?
  • Download a VPN for League of Legends on all your devices
  • FAQ: Changing regions in League of Legends
  • What gamers say about us
  • Try the risk-free VPN for playing League of Legends
  • How to play League of Legends in a different region
  • Why do you need a new Riot Games account?
  • Change your account region with Riot Points
  • Which League of Legends regions can you transfer to?
  • Why is ExpressVPN the best VPN for League of Legends?
  • Can I use a free VPN to play League of Legends?
  • Download a VPN for League of Legends on all your devices
  • FAQ: Changing regions in League of Legends
  • What gamers say about us
  • Try the risk-free VPN for playing League of Legends

How to play League of Legends in a different region

Changing your League of Legends account region with a VPN is easy. Here’s how:

How to sign up for ExpressVPN

Step 1: Get ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN provides a secure tunnel between your device and the internet that protects your online traffic from prying eyes. Using a VPN when going online also helps you to change your IP address so that your device appears to be in a different country.

Sign up for ExpressVPN and download the app for Windows or macOS. Every subscription is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Step 2: Choose a VPN server location

Open the ExpressVPN app and connect to one of thousands of high-speed, secure VPN servers across 105 countries. As Garena has servers in different locations, connecting to the one closest to your physical location is recommended.

Riot Games logo on laptop.

Step 3: Create a new Riot Games account

Head on over to the League of Legends website and sign up for a new account. Please make sure you select the correct region in the dropdown on the sign up page as you’ll need to pay for any changes in future.

A variety of devices with the League of Legends logo.

Step 4: Play League of Legends

Once you’ve completed signing up, connect to ExpressVPN and securely play League of Legends!

League of Legends on a variety of devices.

Why do you need a new Riot Games account?

Each Riot Account is globally unique and is linked to a specific League of Legends region—meaning they are limited to servers based on the location where the account was created. This means, for example, that if your account was created in the U.S., you’d only be able to play on U.S. servers.

To play with friends from other regions, you’ll need to create a new Riot Games account specifically for that region. That said, if you wanted to play League of Legends on your primary account in a different region, you’ll need to transfer that account

Globe showing United States

Change your account region with Riot Points

Whether you’re looking to play with friends in a different region or migrating to a new country, transferring your Riot Games account region is easy. Transfers will need to be purchased via the League of Legends client app store, cost 2,600 Riot Points(RP), and should be active immediately following payment.

To do this, simply:

  1. Click the store button on the home page of the League of Legends client app
  2. Click Purchase RP
  3. Select your preferred method of payment
  4. Select an option with at least 2,600 RP (roughly equivalent to USD $20)
  5. Enter your payment details
  6. Head back to the main store page
  7. Click the account button
  8. Select your new League of Legends server region

Congratulations! You can now play League of Legends in a new region.

Please note that once you’ve changed your Riot Games account region, you can change it back to its original location within two weeks of the last game you played in that region.

Which League of Legends regions can you transfer to?

Here is a list of transfer locations available for each region of origin:

TRANSFER TO

Why is ExpressVPN the best VPN for League of Legends?

  • Four falling dots.

    Powerful protection

    Avoid DDoS attacks by masking your IP. ExpressVPN also features 256-bit AES, leak protection, a kill switch, and split tunneling.

  • Speedometer.

    Boost connectivity

    Enjoy unlimited, premium bandwidth. Minimize ping and lag with VPN servers in 105 countries.

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    Bypass throttling

    Limit your ISP from slowing your connection. With a VPN, data can’t be inspected, so your bandwidth won’t be throttled.

  • Video game buttons.

    Access more online

    Get the latest DLC and games from early launch date countries. Play games even if they’re censored where you are.*

  • Access content you want on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and other devices.

    Play on all devices

    Whether you prefer to play on a PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, tablet, or phone, ExpressVPN has you covered.

  • Two computer monitors linked by a gradient circle.

    Game without borders

    No matter where you are around the world, simply change your region and play together with your friends.*

Can I use a free VPN to play League of Legends?

Free proxy services are not recommended for gaming online as they do not offer the same privacy and security benefits of a paid VPN. Many do not work as advertised, some may even sell your data, and most will leave your networks vulnerable to attack.

Read more about free proxy services vs. VPNs.

Express VPNExpressVPN Most free VPNs
Monthly data limit Unlimited 10GB
Number of countries with servers 105 <10
Customer support 24/7 live chat Email
Compatible devices All popular devices Desktop and mobile
Tracks your online activity Never Maybe
Simultaneous connections 8 1
Custom VPN protocol Lightway None

Download a VPN for League of Legends on all your devices

A single ExpressVPN subscription lets you download a VPN for every popular platform. Need a VPN for multiple devices? Set up ExpressVPN on everything you own, and use it on eight at the same time.

Download ExpressVPN apps.

FAQ: Changing regions in League of Legends

What will be transferred over to my new Riot Games account?

Here's a rundown of will and won't be transferred over to your new Riot Games account when you transfer your account to a different region:

Summoner Level, Champions and skins (incl. ward skins), Emotes, Rune pages, Summoner Icons, XP boosts, BE balance, Remaining RP (minus the cost of transfer), Friends List, Hextech Crafting Inventory, Champion Mastery levels, Hidden MMR value (adapted to the new region), Stats: games played, takedowns, wins, etc., Loading screen borders, Item Sets, Summer name (if available), Username (provided it’s globally unique), Eternals Progress, and Challenges Progress.

Victory Points, Honor Level, Forum Badges, Current Ranked League placement, Mission Progress, Your Shop offers, Clash trophies, Clash Banners, Clash Flag Frames, Clash Club affiliations, and Loot Milestone Progress

Can I play League of Legends with players who live in other countries?

Yes! There are two ways you can play League of Legends with players in other countries:

  • Create a new Riot Games account in a different region.

  • Transfer your existing account to a different region. This option requires a payment and you can only transfer to specific regions based on your account’s region of origin.

Can I change my Riot account region?

Yes! You can transfer your Riot Games account to other regions. The process costs 2,600 RP (around USD $20) and you can only transfer to specific regions based on your region of origin.

How can I check my League of Legends region?

To check your League of Legends region, simply hover over your summoner icon on the home page of the League of Legends client app.

How can I check the League of Legends server status?

Checking your local League of Legends server status is easy. Simply:

From here, you’ll be able to see if there are any issues currently affecting servers in your region.

How do I change my League of Legends server to Asia?

This depends on where in Asia you would like to switch to. For example, with Japan you can either transfer your existing account or create a whole new account in that region.

For Southeast Asian servers, it’s a bit more complicated. It should be noted that transfers into Southeast Asia can be done but transfers out are disabled as of mid 2023.

Playing on servers in South Korea is also complicated as you are required to have a South Korean social security (KSSN) number and phone number for registration.

Playing on Tencent’s (Riot Games’ parent company) servers in China is more than likely impossible—as are account transfers to and from China.

What is the best VPN for playing League of Legends in different regions?

With servers across 105 countries, best-in-class encryption, and ultra-fast speeds that offer minimal buffering, ExpressVPN is the best and most reliable VPN for playing League of Legends in different regions.

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