Teamfight Tactics Timeline

The auto-battler mod inspired internal discussion of a League-based version.

Eight weeks were allocated to prove fun; ten to build a shippable game.

Riot chose a small team to validate the genre opportunity quickly.

Engineering began a scalable production version while design testing continued.

After eight weeks, Riot decided the prototype was fun enough to continue.

Early public product announcement

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

PC/Mac

Riot presented a round-based eight-player strategy mode for League.

Public testing began before the staggered live rollout.

Mastery, playful competition and discovery were defined as core pillars.

Dota Auto Chess inspiration; mastery, playful competition, discovery

Riot described avatars, eggs, variants and star levels.

Original Little Legends and egg monetization

Launch patch/version: 9.13.

Beta launch; staggered regional release; TFT made permanent

TFT’s live release was regionally staggered.

50 at launch; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 9.13; Origins and Classes; shared draft; items. Beta launch; staggered regional release; TFT made permanent

Origins/classes, shared draft and items were the foundational loop

Staggered regional launch dates; launch systems

Additional regional launches occurred later on June 26.

NA launch became the commonly cited release date.

Regional publishing and server differences shaped launch timing.

The first global launch wave concluded.

Original ranked model and top-four philosophy

TFT made permanent; multiple sets and ranked seasons planned

Riot formalized a ladder where top-four placement generally functions as a win.

TFT shifted from experimental mode to a permanent supported product.

Product status

33M monthly players; playtime; concurrency effects; long-term commitment

The launch-era figure is one of the few official TFT population disclosures.

Beta exit; first full roster replacement; Elemental Hexes

Riot documented issues with hard counters, disables, bugs and excessive patch churn.

Launch roster, randomness, balance, patching and expansion-content lessons

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Launch patch/version: 9.22.

Beta ended; established set replacement as product model

51 at launch; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 9.22; Elemental Hexes; elemental Qiyana; full roster replacement. Beta ended; established set replacement as product model

Board hexes and Qiyana/Dragon alignment varied by game

Mobile beta

Mobile beta plan; cross-play and account design

Galaxies mechanic and design goals

Mobile launch architecture and limitations

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

iOS/Android

Galaxies launch, Pass+, Booms

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Launch patch/version: 10.6.

Launched with mobile; first formal world championship; first mid-set

52 at launch; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 10.6; Game-rule Galaxies; space theme. Launched with mobile; first formal world championship; first mid-set

Some matches used alternate global rules such as Trade Sector or Neekoverse

Cross-play and shared progression expand TFT beyond the League PC client.

Twelve-person prototype team; eight-week validation; League-engine constraints

Prototype discarded; production game built in ten weeks; team expansion

Mobile commerce

Galaxies II mid-set, ranked act, mobile store

Patch 10.12: Roster swaps, Battlecast/Astronaut additions, second ranked act.

First global championship; 16 players; $200K; remote due COVID

Set mechanic, clarity, carousel and systems lessons

Double61 winner

COVID-19 prevented a central LAN; regional remote play defined early Worlds.

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

First championship format

16 competitors; Remote; prize data: $200,000.

France; First official global championship.

Fates launch and Chosen mechanic

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Launch patch/version: 10.19.

High-impact shop mechanic; Festival of Beasts mid-set

58 stable roster; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 10.19; Chosen champions. High-impact shop mechanic; Festival of Beasts mid-set

Special shop units arrived at two stars and counted twice toward a trait

Early mythic Little Legend loot structure

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

Festival of Beasts mid-set

Patch 11.2: New carries and traits; Lucky Lanterns; Chosen retuning.

Second world event; 24 players; $250K

Reckoning launch products

Chosen assessment, stable roster, mid-set lessons

24 competitors; Remote; prize data: $250,000.

Fates winner and prize

Korea; Three-day Swiss structure.

First Lab mode and simplified economy

TFT broadens, retires or revives an alternate way to play.

Reckoning and Shadow Items launch

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Launch patch/version: 11.9.

First Labs/Hyper Roll era; Dawn of Heroes mid-set

58; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 11.9; Shadow Items, later Radiant Items. First Labs/Hyper Roll era; Dawn of Heroes mid-set

Powerful drawbacks in first half; drawback-free Radiants replaced them in 5.5

Dawn of Heroes and Radiant Items

Patch 11.15: Shadow Items removed; Radiant Items added.

20 players; $250K; format

Reckoning winner

Chibi Tacticians launch model

20 competitors; Remote; prize data: $250,000.

China; Play-in plus checkmate final.

Double Up announcement and team systems

The set mechanic later becomes a permanent foundational layer.

TFT begins selling champion-form Tacticians.

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

Mobile currency

Gizmos & Gadgets; Augments; Hyper Roll promoted from Lab

The live product transitions to the next full set.

TFT broadens, retires or revives an alternate way to play.

Launch patch/version: 11.22.

Augments became durable core; Chibi Champions; Double Up

58; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 11.22; Hextech Augments. Augments became durable core; Chibi Champions; Double Up

Three game-level choices changed economy, combat and composition plans

Double Up live and mobile TFT Coins

TFT broadens, retires or revives an alternate way to play.

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

Augment system expansion for Neon Nights

Neon Nights mid-set

Patch 12.4: Roster refresh; Augments greatly expanded.

32 competitors; Remote/online regional pods; prize data: $300,000.

China; Expanded field.

Gizmos & Gadgets winner

Elimination animations become part of premium Chibi presentation.

Dragonlands launch; Dragons and Treasure Dragon

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Launch patch/version: 12.11.

Double-sized dragons; first Chibi finisher era; Uncharted Realms mid-set

58; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 12.11; Dragons, Treasure Dragon. Double-sized dragons; first Chibi finisher era; Uncharted Realms mid-set

Large units consumed two slots and late-game item selection replaced Raptors

Uncharted Realms mid-set

Patch 12.17: Dragon roster and trait revisions.

Garena partnership end and Riot self-publishing from 2023

32 competitors; Online; prize data: $456,000.

China; Winner earned $150K.

Dragonlands winner and $150K prize

Monsters Attack and Hero Augments launch

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Launch patch/version: 12.23.

Champion-specific Augments; Glitched Out mid-set

59; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 12.23; Hero Augments, Threats. Champion-specific Augments; Glitched Out mid-set

Champion-specific effects could turn units into carries or supports

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

Southeast Asia PC publishing

Glitched Out mid-set

Patch 13.6: Glitched carousels and roster swaps.

Region Portals and Legends

Monsters Attack winner

32 competitors; Online; prize data: not normalized here.

North America; Champion prize $150K.

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Launch patch/version: 13.12.

Return to Runeterra geography; Horizonbound final mid-set

59; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 13.12; Region Portals and Legends. Return to Runeterra geography; Horizonbound final mid-set

Lobby selected a regional rule; pre-game Legend influenced Augment offerings

Game Analysis Team

GAT, simulations, data and pre-release validation

APAC mobile rollout

APAC mobile expansion

Horizonbound, final mid-set

Riot ends the half-set model after Set 9.5.

Patch 13.18: Bilgewater, Vanquisher and final scheduled mid-set expansion.

Four-month sets, three full sets per year, mid-set ranked reset removal

32 competitors; Online; prize data: not normalized here.

Japan; Champion prize $150K.

Runeterra Reforged winner

Remix Rumble and Headliners launch

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Four-month sets replace six-month sets plus mid-set expansion.

Launch patch/version: 13.23.

First four-month full set under three-set annual cadence

60; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 13.23; Headliners; music-mixing traits. First four-month full set under three-set annual cadence

Chosen-like shop unit with music-set trait and composition role

First TFT Open winner; 512-player model

A large open bracket creates an accessible in-person global event.

512 competitors; $100,000 winner prize.

Winner: milala. First large open-bracket TFT Open.

Pan-regional restructure and prize-pool expansion

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

Galaxies revival philosophy

TFT converts retired content into a recurring live-service queue.

First Set Revival; modernized systems and Revival ladder

The limited historical queue closes or transitions.

Cosmetic acquisition becomes more shop- and currency-centered.

Inkborn Fables launch and Rotating Shop direction

32 competitors; Online; prize data: not normalized here.

North America; Final event under old Set Championship name.

Remix Rumble winner

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Launch patch/version: 14.6.

Original TFT character Alune/artist direction; Rotating Shop transition

59; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 14.6; Encounters. Original TFT character Alune/artist direction; Rotating Shop transition

Characters interrupted the match with rule changes, choices or rewards

Tactician’s Crown naming and 2024 pan-regional format

Encounters, theme, original characters and set evaluation

Charms and Set 12 overview

32 competitors; Online; prize data: not normalized here.

World championship branding changes during Inkborn Fables.

Americas; Tactician’s Crown naming; pan-regional seeds.

Inkborn Fables winner

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Launch patch/version: 14.15.

Experimental PvE Workshop mode; no scheduled mid-set

60; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 14.15; Charms; quarter-set update. Experimental PvE Workshop mode; no scheduled mid-set

Single-use shop effects purchased during planning; later informed Wisps

Experimental PvE Workshop mode

TFT broadens, retires or revives an alternate way to play.

Tocker’s Trials establishes a place for nonstandard experiences.

Dawn of Heroes Revival

Radiant-era set adapted to modern Augments and systems

Anomalies, Opening Encounters, Arcane systems

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

Charms, quarter-set, Tocker’s Trials and balance lessons

The limited historical queue closes or transitions.

40 competitors; Online; prize data: not normalized here.

APAC; Field expanded to 40.

Magic n’ Mayhem winner

Into the Arcane launch

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Launch patch/version: 14.23.

Arcane adaptation; 6-cost units; Unbound Tactician model

60; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 14.23; Anomalies; Opening Encounters; Team-Up Augments. Arcane adaptation; 6-cost units; Unbound Tactician model

One unit received a permanent late-game transformation

Macao Open winner

512 competitors; $100,000 winner prize.

Winner: Shiquz. Second Open; >1,000 spectators reported by Riot.

Engine migration development

TFT Pro Circuit

Portal cosmetic type

A Tier 1 circuit rewards recurring high-level performance between finals.

Chosen-era roster returned under Revival rules

Remix Rumble Revival period

Old eggs auto-open as Treasure Realms/Rotating Shop ecosystem takes over.

Egg retirement and current cosmetic systems

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

The limited historical queue closes or transitions.

40 competitors; Online; prize data: not normalized here.

Americas; Second international title for Dishsoap.

Into the Arcane winner

Portal cosmetic and Set 14 monetization

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

Cyber City launch and Double Up graduation

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Arrival/travel presentation becomes a separate collectible layer.

TFT broadens, retires or revives an alternate way to play.

Launch patch/version: 14.1 (2025).

Double Up graduates Workshop; Portal cosmetic; Hyper Roll sunsets

60; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 14.1 (2025); Hacks. Double Up graduates Workshop; Portal cosmetic; Hyper Roll sunsets

System rules, shops, carousels and rewards were altered by cyber-themed events

Hyper Roll sunset and rotating modes direction

TFT broadens, retires or revives an alternate way to play.

Music set returned with Revival ladder/pass updates

Set 15 cosmetics

Final permanent Hyper Roll patch

40 competitors; Online; prize data: not normalized here.

APAC; Set 14 world championship.

Cyber City winner

K.O. Coliseum, Power Ups, Hyper Roll removal

The limited historical queue closes or transitions.

The live product transitions to the next full set.

TFT broadens, retires or revives an alternate way to play.

Launch patch/version: 15.1.

Tournament-arc theme; Ao Shin’s Ascent PvE; no permanent Hyper Roll

60; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 15.1; Power Ups. Tournament-arc theme; Ao Shin’s Ascent PvE; no permanent Hyper Roll

Two consumables granted champion-specific enhancement choices

Progression-based PvE mode

Ao Shin’s Ascent launch

TFT broadens, retires or revives an alternate way to play.

Set 7.5 Revival changes

Dragonlands mid-set returned with fresh twists

40 competitors; Online; prize data: not normalized here.

APAC; Winner earned $150K.

K.O. Coliseum winner

Paris Open winner

The limited historical queue closes or transitions.

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Lore & Legends launch

Set 16 roster and unlockable champion structure

Launch patch/version: 16.1.

Largest roster framework; Runeterra-history emphasis

100 in extended pool; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 16.1; Unlockable champions; Lorefinder. Largest roster framework; Runeterra-history emphasis

A large extended roster was unlocked by meeting board conditions

768 competitors; $100,000 winner prize.

Winner: Huanmie. Open expanded; Huanmie later won Space Gods Crown.

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

Scheduled Set 19 Open, 1,024-player bracket and prize pool

TFT cosmetic and progression economy evolves.

Product independence

Second return demonstrated repeatable historical queues

Space Gods and divine offering mechanic

The limited historical queue closes or transitions.

40 competitors; Online; prize data: not normalized here.

Americas; Winner earned $150K.

Lore & Legends winner

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Launch patch/version: 17.1.

Final full set on shared Hextech technology

60; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 17.1; Realm of Gods; divine offerings and boons; Carousel replaced. Final full set on shared Hextech technology

Carousel replaced by god selection and divine offerings

Anniversary mode combining traits from prior sets

TFT broadens, retires or revives an alternate way to play.

Iconic traits from every previous set combined in anniversary mode

Hextech-to-Unreal migration and dedicated client schedule

The team frames it as long-term product infrastructure, not TFT 2.

Space Gods global event structure

TFT broadens, retires or revives an alternate way to play.

Loot-heavy temporary return during Space Gods

The limited historical queue closes or transitions.

40 competitors; Online; prize data: not normalized here.

APAC/China; Huanmie’s third international TFT title.

He becomes a three-time international TFT champion under Riot’s account.

Space Gods champion and third international title

Set 18 scheduled launch and Wisp mechanic

Late Space Gods patch; Set 18 PBE transition

Current competitive announcements and mutable status

Current platform and set presentation; crawl-lag warning

The limited historical queue closes or transitions.

The live product transitions to the next full set.

Launch patch/version: 18.1.

Unreal-engine launch set; exact global live status must be checked

not frozen in this package; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch 18.1; Wisps, updated from Set 12 Charms. Unreal-engine launch set; exact global live status must be checked

Updated Charms with categories, predictable cadence and quality-of-life changes

Unreal migration

Exact global deployment is live-check required at the research cutoff.

Mobile replacement

Future event; do not write as completed history before deployment.

Dedicated TFT PC client

Future 1,024-player event planned on Set 19.

1,024 competitors; $311,300 total / $100,000 winner.

Winner: TBD. Scheduled future event on Set 19 at cutoff.

Launch patch/version: unknown.

Planned competitive set for Vegas Open 2026

unknown; the roster is date-specific and should not be projected to other sets.

Launch patch unknown; Not yet disclosed. Planned competitive set for Vegas Open 2026