Yes, you can be relegated to LoL. You get demoted when you rack up losses at 0 LP and that your MMR falls below your division's threshold.
Here's exactly how this system works in League of Legends in 2026.
Relegation to LoL : How does it work?
As long as you still have some LP, you don't get demoted. It's only after you reach zero points—and then if you lose again—that the game demotes you to a lower division.
The mechanism varies depending on the situation and your MMR (Your score of matchmaking (internal).
Relegation within the same division
This is the most common case in League of Legends, for example, switching from’Gold II at Gold III. Just one loss at 0 LP is not enough: the system tolerates a small deficit before taking action.
You need suffer a string of losses to fall into the LP negative results and trigger a demotion between divisions. If your MMR If your score stays above the average for your division, you can cash out 4 or 5 losses in a row without changing course. One or two wins are enough to get back on track and regain LP.
Relegation from one level to another
You can also drop a full tier in LoL, for example, from’Silver IV at Bronze I. There is a safety measure: your MMR must be low enough to justify the descent. Specifically, to descend below Silver IV, your MMR The matchmaking criteria must already match a profile Bronze IV. Just going through a rough patch isn't enough.
After the descent, your LP don't have to start from scratch. Riot Games puts you back in the lower division with 25, 50, or 75 LP, depending on your MMR of the moment.
Demotion to Master, GrandMaster and Challenger
The Ranks Master, GrandMaster and Challenger are the Apex third parties from League of Legends : They don't have Divisions I through IV. To qualify, all you have to do is reach 100 LP Diamond I and it goes up automatically.
If you fall too far behind in Master, you fall back into Diamond I at 0 LP followed by a loss. Also watch out for the decay (inactivity penalty): If you go too long without playing, you'll lose LP in Master, GrandMaster and Challenger, and may result in relegation.
What Has Changed Regarding Protection Against Demotion
For a long time, a degradation shield was protecting you right after a promotion in LoL. You were entitled to about 3 parts immunity after a division upgrade, and 10 games after a one-third climb.
From the Split 2 of the 2024 season, Riot Games has removed this protection between divisions. So you can go back down as soon as your LP drop below zero, with no intermediate value. Also note that the 2019 redesign eliminated rank V (the divisions now range from IV to I), and the Season 11 (2021) put an end to the promotion series between divisions.
What is the ranking system in LoL in 2026?
The ranking of League of Legends is based on levels cut into divisions. You're racking up LP (League Points) to advance. Your visible rank also depends on your MMR, the score of matchmaking internal value calculated by Riot Games. Whether you're playing solo, in a duo, or in Flex mode, this is what MMR which determines the amount of LP won or lost in each game.
The rank Emerald was added in july 2023, between Platinum and Diamond, to smooth out the progression and prevent too many players from getting stuck before reaching Diamond. Here are all the ranks available in League of Legends in 2026:
- Iron (IV, III, II, I)
- Bronze (IV, III, II, I)
- Silver (IV, III, II, I)
- Gold (IV, III, II, I)
- Platinum (IV, III, II, I)
- Emerald (IV, III, II, I)
- Diamond (IV, III, II, I)
- Master
- Grand Master
- Challenger
Each level, from Iron to Diamond, contains 4 divisions numbered from IV (the lowest) to I (the highest). Above that, the ranks Master, GrandMaster and Challenger have no divisions: only your total of LP ranks you against other players in your region.
This process applies equally to solo/duo what about Flex. Before entering the restricted areas, you must first reach the Level 30.
To find out how many What games do you need to play to reach level 30 in LoL, check out our dedicated guide.
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