Most played League Champs 2020-2025 (Trend)
Discover the evolution of Champion Pick Rates in LoL from 2020 to 2025 and identify the most popular picks throughout the years.
| Champion | Role | 2020 Pick (%) | 2021 Pick (%) | 2022 Pick (%) | 2023 Pick (%) | 2024 Pick (%) | 2025 Pick (%)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ezreal |
ADC | 14.2 | 13.5 | 12.8 | 13.9 | 14.5 | 14.8 |
 Ahri |
Mid | 12.5 | 12.8 | 13.0 | 13.3 | 13.5 | 13.6 |
 Lee Sin |
Jungle | 11.8 | 11.2 | 10.9 | 11.5 | 12.0 | 12.3 |
 Thresh |
Support | 10.5 | 10.8 | 11.0 | 11.2 | 11.5 | 11.7 |
 Jinx |
ADC | 9.8 | 10.2 | 10.5 | 10.8 | 11.2 | 11.5 |
 Viego |
Jungle | – | 8.5 | 9.0 | 9.3 | 10.1 | 10.5 |
 Lux |
Mid/Support | 9.0 | 9.2 | 9.5 | 9.8 | 10.0 | 10.2 |
 Darius |
Top | 8.5 | 8.8 | 9.0 | 9.2 | 9.5 | 9.7 |
 Yasuo |
Mid/Top | 11.0 | 10.5 | 10.0 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 8.8 |
 Kai’Sa |
ADC | 10.0 | 11.0 | 11.5 | 12.0 | 12.5 | 12.8 |
*Data for 2025 are estimates based on current trends and are subject to change. Data for 2020 for Viego is not applicable as it was published in 2021.
Top 3 Most Picked Champions (Projected 2025)
To give you a quick glance at the current projected favorites, here are the top 3 champions based on their estimated pick rates for 2025:
| Rank | Champion | Role | 2025 Pick (%)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezreal |
ADC | 14.8 |
| 2 | Ahri |
Mid | 13.6 |
| 3 | Kai’Sa |
ADC | 12.8 |
Key Takeaways from the Data
Here are some insights from the pick rate trends:
Consistent Popularity: Champions like Ezreal consistently maintain high pick rates across all years, indicating their strong and enduring presence in the meta, often due to versatile kits or balanced power levels.
New Champion Impact: Newer champions, such as Viego (released in 2021), quickly gain significant pick rates, showcasing how new releases can immediately shake up the meta and become popular choices for players.
Steady Growth: Some champions, like Thresh, show a steady, gradual increase in their pick rates over the years. This often points to consistent performance, adaptability to meta shifts, or a strong community of dedicated players.
Fluctuating Popularity: Champions like Yasuo demonstrate more fluctuating pick rates, peaking in some years and declining in others. This can be influenced by balance changes, item meta shifts, or the rise of counter-champions.
Understanding Champion Pick Rates
Champion pick rates are a crucial indicator of a champion’s standing in the current League of Legends meta. They reflect not only a champion’s raw power but also their perceived strength, utility, and fun-factor among the player base. Several factors can influence these rates:
- Balance Changes: Direct buffs or nerfs to a champion’s abilities, stats, or recommended items significantly impact their viability and, consequently, their pick rate.
- Meta Shifts: The overall game meta (e.g., preference for early-game aggression, scaling compositions, specific item builds) can favor certain champions and roles, increasing their popularity.
- Pro Play Influence: Champions frequently played and successful in professional League of Legends matches often see a surge in popularity among the general player base, as players emulate pro strategies.
- Community Perception: Even without direct balance changes, a champion’s perceived strength, ease of play, or entertaining gameplay can influence their pick rate.
- New Releases & Reworks: Newly released champions or existing champions undergoing significant reworks almost always experience a temporary spike in pick rates as players are eager to try them out.
Meta Adaptation: Champions like Morgana or Nautilus often remain relevant despite meta shifts due to their strong crowd control and versatile utility, making them valuable picks in various team compositions.
Future Trends & What to Expect
Predicting future pick rates involves analyzing historical data and anticipating Riot Games’ balancing philosophies. While our 2025 projections are based on current trends, the landscape of League of Legends is constantly evolving. Here are some key considerations for future trends:
- Riot’s Balancing Philosophy: Riot often aims for a diverse meta, discouraging dominance by a few champions. This means popular champions might receive minor nerfs, while underperforming ones get buffs to increase their pick potential.
- Item System Overhauls: Major changes to the item shop or introduction of new item categories can completely redefine which champions are strong, leading to shifts in pick rates across entire classes.
- New Champion Releases: The consistent release of new champions introduces fresh mechanics and playstyles, often disrupting existing meta trends and creating new popular picks.
- Esports Influence: High-profile tournaments and the strategies developed by professional teams will continue to significantly influence what champions become popular in solo queue.
Accessibility & Fun: Some champions maintain steady popularity because they are accessible for newer players or offer a consistently fun gameplay experience, like Lux or Garen, regardless of their top-tier competitive viability.
High Skill Ceiling & Niche: Champions with very high skill ceilings or niche playstyles, such as Ryze, often have lower overall pick rates, even if they can be dominant in the hands of expert players.