Riftbound TCG, Riot Games’ brand-new physical collectible trading card game, is set to plunge players deep into the rich universe of League of Legends. Unlike its digital counterpart, Legends of Runeterra, Riftbound offers a fresh, tabletop experience, allowing you to physically collect, strategize, and battle with iconic champions, spells, and locations from Runeterra.
The game has been generating immense excitement within both the League of Legends community and the broader TCG world, with players eager to dive into a new, high-budget TCG backed by Riot’s reputation for investing heavily in production values. From exhilarating 1v1 duels to more chaotic multiplayer formats, Riftbound promises strategic depth, stunning artwork, and a fresh take on the TCG genre, making it a highly anticipated entry that aims to rival established giants like Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon.
As the release draws near, here’s a simplified breakdown of everything you need to know to be prepared for launch.
When is Riftbound Releasing?
- China Release: Riftbound will first launch in China on August 1st.
- English Release: For players in North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle-East, Latin America, and Oceania, the English version of Riftbound arrives on October 31st.
- Other Regions: If you’re in an Asia-Pacific nation outside of China (like Japan, South Korea, or Indonesia), Riot is “exploring additional regional rollouts, languages, and expanding Riftbound’s availability in APAC next year.”
Pre-Orders and How to Get Your Hands on It
- Pre-Order Date: Limited pre-orders will be available starting August 4th on Riot’s Merch Store. Be prepared, as these are expected to be highly competitive due to high demand and potential scalping.
- Store Locator: On August 4th, Riot will also launch a store locator to help you find local game stores that will stock Riftbound at release. Keep in mind that local stores can also be targets for scalpers.
How Riot is Preventing Problems (Scalping & Bots)
Riot Games is well aware of the issues other popular TCGs face with scalpers (people who buy up stock to resell at higher prices) and bots. They are taking steps to address these concerns:
- Official Channels: Riot’s executive producer, Chengran Chai, confirmed they will have “anti-scalping, anti-bot measures for the Riot channels” because these are directly controlled by the company.
- Supporting Local Stores: While it’s harder to control scalping at independent local game stores, Riot wants to support them and will work on a balance to ensure fair access.
- Increased Supply: Riot emphasized their commitment to making the game accessible and will be “working towards increasing supply to ensure that players have reasonable access to the product.” They will monitor demand and are ready to take further action as needed. The goal is for everyone who wants to play to be able to get their hands on Riftbound at a reasonable cost.
Beyond the launch dates and anti-scalping measures, keep an eye out for release events planned around October 31st to celebrate Riftbound’s debut. Fans can also anticipate a special Riftbound x Worlds bundle, tying into the 2025 League of Legends World Championship in China this October and November. The TCG community is brimming with high expectations for Riftbound, anticipating the polished, high-budget production Riot Games is known for.
