All TFT Season Start and End Dates

Teamfight Tactics (TFT), Riot Games’ wildly successful auto-battler, continually evolves through cyclical “sets,” each introducing new champions, traits, and mechanics. These seasonal updates keep the game fresh, enticing casual fans and competitive veterans alike to adapt and explore new strategies. Additionally, Riot times these transitions to give players ample time to enjoy current sets before unveiling the next big shake-up. This system fuels excitement, maintains variety in gameplay, and ensures no single meta grows stagnant.

For players serious about climbing the ranked ladder or just enjoying novel gameplay experiences, understanding the start and end dates for each TFT set is critical. The schedule helps you anticipate upcoming changes, plan your rank grind, and get an early grasp on new champions or items. Even casual gamers who don’t follow the competitive scene often appreciate knowing when the next patch’s big content drop hits, so they can schedule gaming sessions or read up on new synergies.

Below is a comprehensive timeline summarizing every TFT set release thus far, including approximate start/end dates, plus a glimpse into future sets. We’ll also provide insights on how each set introduced significant mechanics to keep gameplay vibrant. Let’s dive into the multi-year journey of TFT, from its beta beginnings to its most recent expansions.

Why TFT Shifts Sets Regularly

Before we list out the sets, it’s worth noting why Riot frequently rotates new expansions:

• Preventing Stagnation: Auto-battlers can become repetitive if the same champions and traits remain unchanged for too long. By introducing new lineups, Riot prevents “solved” metas from reigning indefinitely.
• Keeping Competitive Play Fresh: Esports tournaments and high-ranked play need novelty to stay entertaining. Players must adapt to new synergy possibilities, ensuring skill expression isn’t limited to memorizing old strategies.
• Promoting Player Engagement: Expansions create hype, from marketing to in-game missions. Periodic resets in ranked also motivate players to return and push for top-tier placements.

This cycle is similar to the seasonal resets in League of Legends, but with far more dramatic changes than a typical balance patch: entire champion rosters, traits, and special systems are overhauled. This approach sets TFT apart from many other games that might only do smaller incremental updates.

Set 1: Beta Set

Start Date: June 26, 2019
End Date: October 22, 2019

Often referred to as the Beta Set, the original TFT release introduced players to the auto-battler phenomenon. Originally, the lineup of champions came from League of Legends’ more recognizable picks—like Garen, Darius, Ahri, and so forth. Traits (often called origins or classes) included things like Noble, Wild, Demon, and Imperial. While rudimentary by today’s standards, this set laid the foundational mechanics of TFT: positioning units, combining items, and building synergy around classes.

Key Features:

• Pure Introduction of Game Mechanics: Basic synergy triggers (e.g., 3 Nobles or 6 Nobles) taught players the fundamentals of synergy-building without significant external twists.
• Item Combinations: Basic item recipes, like combining B.F. Sword + Chain Vest for Guardian Angel, formed the backbone of TFT’s item system that persists to this day (albeit with ongoing tweaks).
• Carousel Rounds: The communal draft mechanic was introduced. Everyone lined up around a rotating circle of champions, adding an element of strategic item/champion pick tension.

As a “beta,” Riot used these months to gather player feedback, refine the UI, and fix major balance problems. The biggest lure was the novelty of fusing League of Legends champions into a slower, more strategic format, contrasting the high-APM environment typical of MOBA games.

Set 2: Rise of the Elements

Start Date: November 5, 2019
End Date: March 18, 2020

Rise of the Elements introduced the elemental dynamic that changed the game board itself. The synergy system added elemental origins like Ocean, Inferno, Mountain, which placed elemental hexes on the battlefield, boosting champions standing on them. This was the first major attempt to add a rotating map effect, making positioning more nuanced.

Key Features:

• Elemental Hexes: Each game randomly spawned an elemental hex that offered buffs tied to certain origins (e.g., +attack speed from an Inferno hex, +mana regen from Ocean). Properly utilizing these tiles was essential for an edge.
• Diverse Origins and Classes: “Woodland,” “Poison,” “Light,” and “Shadow” added new synergy possibilities, reflecting more creative expansions of champion backgrounds.
• Tier Up for Complexity: The base synergy triggers from Set 1 advanced further, letting players chase more specialized combos (e.g., 6 Lights or 3 Poison) for powerful effects.

While it still felt like an extension of the Beta Set’s fundamental mechanics, Set 2 tested the waters with environmental changes. This approach would pave the way for more elaborate “map-altering” or “mechanic-altering” concepts in future expansions.

Set 3: Galaxies

Start Date: March 18, 2020
End Date: September 16, 2020

Galaxies took players to outer space, introducing champions and traits such as Star Guardian, Mech-Pilot, Valkyrie, and more. The big twist: each match could randomly occur in a distinct “Galaxy,” providing game-altering perks like extra starting gold or smaller boards.

Key Features:

• Galaxy Mechanics: “Neekoverse Galaxy” started everyone with two Neeko’s Helps, “Treasure Trove Galaxy” made every PvE enemy drop a loot orb, etc. These changes forced players to pivot mid-lobby based on the conditions.
• Space-Themed Origins: “Cybernetic,” “Rebel,” “Blademaster,” “Star Guardian,” and “Mech-Pilot” introduced synergy combos. Mech-Pilot let three small units combine into a giant mech, a unique mechanic that overshadowed a typical synergy approach.
• Expanded Carousel Twists: Occasionally, carousels would spawn all 4-cost units or loaded item units, accelerating the late-game meta. This variation tested adaptability further.

Galaxies was widely applauded for how each galaxy scenario forced you out of comfort-zone builds. Many considered it a landmark in creativity, showing TFT could add large, random “twists” to keep each game fresh without overshadowing core skill expression.

Set 4: Fates

Start Date: September 16, 2020
End Date: April 28, 2021

Fates embraced a mystical, mythological theme, featuring “Chosen” units who provided extra synergy bonuses and had boosted stats. The set introduced champions with Eastern folklore-inspired skins and references, injecting new life into the champion pool.

Key Features:

• Chosen Mechanic: Occasionally, the shop presented a “Chosen” champion with +200 HP and a doubled synergy count. For instance, a Chosen Brawler Garen functioned as if he had 2 Brawler synergy for your team. This drastically changed team-building decisions.
• Spiritual Aesthetics: Traits like Enlightened, Warlord, Fortune, Moonlight offered diverse gameplay. Fortune, for instance, rewarded losing streaks (or big risk-taking) with large payouts after you finally won a round.
• Festival/Spirit Blossom Vibe: The game boards and new arenas were thematically tied to luck, fate, and spirituality—complementing the champion skins and synergy naming conventions.

Many players praised Fates for reintroducing more “meta-breaking” pivots mid-game. The “Chosen” feature could singlehandedly shift your entire synergy approach, focusing the game around discovering your ideal Chosen champion.

Set 5: Reckoning

Start Date: April 28, 2021
End Date: November 3, 2021

Reckoning channeled a battle between good and evil, featuring traits like Redeemed versus Forgotten. The highlight was Shadow Items, powerful but risky item variants offering both high reward and potential drawbacks.

Key Features:

• Shadow Items: A standard item plus a “dark” twist. For instance, Shadow Infinity Edge might grant extra crit damage but lower your champion’s max HP. Mastering these “risk-reward” items separated good players from great ones.
• Dark vs. Light Theme: Many trait synergies reflected moral extremes, lending a dramatic flair to champion combos. Redeemed champions had synergy that shared defensive stats upon death, while Forgotten units got scaling AD and AP the more Shadow Items you used.
• Reckoning Pass: Cosmetics, arenas, and Little Legends tied into the broader storyline of the war between good and evil, enhancing the set’s aesthetic appeal.

Reckoning was arguably one of the more complex sets due to the strong synergy between certain Shadow Items and champion builds. Some found the puzzle of maximizing item synergy with minimal drawbacks thrilling, while others felt the disadvantage effects too punishing if misapplied.

Set 6: Gizmos & Gadgets

Start Date: November 3, 2021
End Date: May 24, 2022

Gizmos & Gadgets introduced Hextech Augments, granting players powerful mid-game boons that shaped the entire round’s strategy. With a bright, inventive “tinker” vibe, champions spanned from scrap-metal innovators to mechanical geniuses.

Key Features:

• Hextech Augments: Offered unique buffs or synergy expansions. Some augments boosted champion health or gave you extra items, while others unlocked entirely new synergy thresholds. Choosing the correct augment at each “armory” stage was crucial.
• Innovator Trait: Summoned mechanical companions like a mechanical beetle or a mecha dragon depending on synergy level. This replaced Mech-Pilot from Set 3 with a new spin on summoning units.
• Creative Champion Reworks: Familiar champions had new abilities themed around invention and tinkering, refreshing the pool for veterans.

Widely loved, Gizmos & Gadgets balanced memorable trait combos (e.g., Yordles generating free Yordle units, or Enforcers to temporarily CC enemies) with the excitement of strategic augment choices. The set’s theming was bright and playful, a nice contrast to the darker aesthetics of Reckoning.

Set 7: Dragonlands

Start Date: June 8, 2022
End Date: December 7, 2022

One of the most visually distinct expansions, Dragonlands introduced dragon units that cost multiple champion slots but offered immense power. This reinterpreted the game with mythical aesthetics, centering on synergy around these mighty dragons.

Key Features:

• Dragons: Large, high-cost units that demanded two champion slots but provided significant synergy perks (e.g., “Mirage Dragon,” “Shimmerscale Dragon”). Balancing your gold economy around these big investments became a big challenge.
• Dragon Augments: This set continued the augment concept from Set 6, but with a dragon-infused twist. Some augments specifically buffed or interacted with dragon-type champions or scaled your rewards from partial synergy combos.
• Colorful Map Design: The boards and UI dripped with fantasy. A whimsical environment that matched the epic feeling of battling with massive mythical beasts.

The Dragon mechanic required players to decide: “Is using a dragon worth the cost?” Mastering these large, specialized units could propel you to first place if well-managed—but failing to pivot or econ properly spelled disaster.

Set 8: Monsters Attack!

Start Date: December 7, 2022
End Date: May 31, 2023

Infused with a comic-book style superhero-vs-monster theme, Monsters Attack! introduced interactive augments and interactive “hero augment” concepts. Players took on the role of defenders of a city under siege by monstrous threats, featuring bigger champion rosters and new synergy interactions.

Key Features:

• Hero Augments: Each champion had specialized augments that boosted their specific ability. This forced you to build teams around your chosen hero’s augmented skill.
• Superhero & Monster Traits: Some synergy combos created unstoppable “hero alliances” or savage “monster squads,” encouraging varied synergy pairings across the board.
• More Active Items or Abilities: Some traits gave mid-round interactions or let you manipulate boards on the fly, continuing the trend from previous sets where strategic decision-making extended beyond champion placement.

Monsters Attack! was well-received for its vibrant art, champion kit variety, and the expanded emphasis on hero augments. Some players hailed it as the perfect evolution of the augment system introduced in earlier sets.

Set 9: Runeterra Reforged

Start Date: June 14, 2023
End Date: November 14, 2023

Rooted deeper in League of Legends lore, Runeterra Reforged brought region-specific boards and champion lineups reflecting beloved locales like Demacia, Noxus, Ionia, and more. This set underscored the strong ties between TFT and its parent universe.

Key Features:

• Region-Based Traits: Certain synergy combos gained extra potency when stacked with champions from the same region, highlighting unique trait combos. For instance, a purely “Demacian” board might revolve around buff auras, while “Noxian” synergy championed aggressive damage.
• Unique Boards: Each region had a stylized stage with small interactive elements, continuing the trend of adding flair to the Carousel or mid-round events.
• Refined Augment System: The overall synergy with region-based augments allowed for partial or full trait expansions. The system was refined from prior sets, aiming for better balance and less random frustration.

Fans appreciated the nod to League lore and the chance to align entire team compositions to their favorite region. This set’s synergy expansions also delivered some highly original combos, maintaining the excitement for what future expansions would bring.

Set 10: God-Wars

Start Date: November 15, 2023
End Date: March 19, 2024

God-Wars introduced a celestial, mythological theme, pitting divine beings against each other. It emphasized new power-scaling mechanics, reminiscent of epic showdowns among godlike figures.

Key Features:

• Celestial Champions: New “God” or “Divinity” traits unlocked potent spells or stat boosts. Balancing them, however, required skillful itemization and synergy layering.
• Power-Scaling Mechanic: Certain champions grew stronger each round, encouraging players to keep them in for extended battles rather than quick-swap strategies.
• Reworked Economy Rounds: Carousel or neutral monster rounds occasionally offered “celestial relics” that gave unique effects, adding a minor secondary objective for advanced players to secure early advantages.

Despite some players finding the set complicated, God-Wars appealed to those who enjoy methodical scaling strategies. Coordinating divine champions to unleash unstoppable combos became a hallmark of high-level play in this period.

Set 11: Mythic Realms

Start Date: March 20, 2024
End Date: July 23, 2024

In Mythic Realms, Riot delved into broader fantasy lore, introducing legendary creatures, artifact items, and new synergy triggers. Each champion slot felt more precious, as powerful mythical trait combos granted exponential benefits.

Key Features:

• Legendary Creatures: Occasionally, a champion synergy might summon a phoenix or hydra with special attacks. This expanded on the previous dragon concept but with a bigger variety of mythical beasts.
• Artifact System: Rare item drops could offer a champion-specific perk, forging deeper min-max item combos. The reworked item forging concept was reminiscent of Shadow Items but more balanced and less punishing.
• Cosmetic Enhancements: The Mythic Pass introduced runic boards, special unit emotes, and exclusive Little Legends, feeding players who relish the game’s aesthetic dimension.

Mythic Realms maintained a strong traction in the ranked scene, as players raced to figure out which synergy artifact combos soared above the rest. The set also struck a sweet spot between accessibility and depth, pleasing both veterans and newcomers alike.

Set 12: Neon Nights

Start Date: July 24, 2024
End Date: November 19, 2024

Neon Nights introduced a cyberpunk theme, casting TFT champions in futuristic neon-lit attire. Even the board visuals boasted vibrant cityscapes and rotating neon signs, significantly departing from mythic/fantasy aesthetics.

Key Features:

• Cybernetic Traits: “Hacker,” “Neon Syndicate,” “Drone Tech,” and more, rewriting how champions synergized around tech-based abilities. Some combos spawned mechanical drones for scouting or carrying additional items.
• Urban Interactive Board: Similar to the galaxy gimmick, each match might roll an interactive city environment, letting you occasionally hack map terminals for gold or item components.
• Futuristic Item Reworks: Items were renamed or visually re-skinned to reflect a neon style while preserving many underlying bonuses from older expansions.

Neon Nights drew in players who loved the flashy “nightlife” concept, bridging a gap between fans of more advanced synergy puzzles and those who just adored the aesthetic shift from dragons and gods to high-tech cityscapes.

Set 13: Into the Arcane

Start Date: November 20, 2024
End Date: March 25, 2025

Tied to the final season of Arcane, Into the Arcane immersed players in Piltover and Zaun’s conflict and layered synergy narratives around characters like Jinx, Vi, Caitlyn, and Viktor with new or re-imagined abilities.

Key Features:

• Arcane Themes: Items and boards mirrored the show’s steampunk vibe, with quest lines tied to the progression of particular champions.
• Story Missions: A minor PVE component emerged, letting you earn extra cosmetics or XP by achieving in-lobby tasks that reflect Arcane’s storyline arcs (like dealing X damage with Piltover units).
• Fusion of Factions: Instead of region-based synergy, it used “Arcane alliances,” grouping champions into collaborative alliances like “Piltover Policing” or “Zaun’s Underground.”

The synergy with the show’s final season propelled Into the Arcane to mainstream hype. Even players less invested in TFT were drawn by the cinematic tie-ins, with the dedicated fanbase praising the set for its narrative-driven approach and unique champion kits.

Set 14: Cyber City (Upcoming)

PBE Release Date: March 12, 2025
Global Release Date: March 26, 2025

Cyber City is the next highly anticipated set. Early leaks suggest expansions on the futuristic style reminiscent of Neon Nights, but with heavier emphasis on mechanical synergy and “cybernetic enhancements” bridging champion abilities. Expect new champion lineups, boards, and trait combos that harness the city’s neon-laced architecture.

What We Know (Speculative):

• Cybernetic Upgrades: Certain synergy tiers might give item-like buffs or item duplicates. Possibly an advanced version of the Augment system from sets like Gizmos & Gadgets and Monsters Attack!
• Hackable Map or Augment Terminals: Considering how Neon Nights had map-based interactions, we might see a more elaborate hacking minigame or device that grants random boons mid-round.
• Expanded Faction Wars: Factions might revolve around cyber-criminal guilds, policing, or corporate overlords, each offering synergy perks with advanced robotics or drone-based units.

Keep an eye on patch previews and dev posts. Cyber City looks to continue Riot’s trend of injecting distinct mechanical shake-ups, ensuring you’re never complacent in your synergy knowledge.

When Is the Next TFT Set?

The official next major release is Set 14: Cyber City, hitting the PBE on March 12, 2025, and global servers on March 26, 2025. Past patterns suggest:

• PBE Duration of ~2 Weeks: Players can experiment early and provide feedback on champion balance and trait synergy. If you’re a diehard, you can jump on the PBE to test new mechanics before they go live.
• Ranked Reset Timing: Typically, each set launch includes a partial or full rank reset, letting everyone race anew for top spots. Watch for dev notes confirming exactly how MMR transitions occur.
• Mid-Set Changes Likely: Riot often refreshes or modifies a set’s champion pool mid-cycle, so expect a “Set 14.5” around 2-3 months after the initial launch, breathing more life into the meta.

As always, exact dates may fluctuate if development issues arise or if Riot chooses to extend or shorten the PBE cycle. Keep track of official TFT social media channels for the most accurate, up-to-date confirmations.

Season End: Key Factors to Keep in Mind

While chasing your dream rank before a set ends, consider:

• Rank Rewards: Reaching Gold or higher typically grants special in-game cosmetics (e.g., a ranked emote or Little Legend skin). Some sets have unique rank-themed loot.
• Mid-Set Updates: If a mid-set rework is looming, the meta can shift drastically, possibly impacting your grind. Keep flexible synergy strategies and item usage in mind.
• Patch Cycles: The final weeks of a set usually see fewer sweeping balance changes from Riot, but sometimes they push minor “farewell patches” to quell broken comps. Keep an eye on patch notes to avoid last-minute synergy upsets.

Once the set ends, your rank is either reset or “soft reset” for the next set, giving everyone a fresh start or placing them in a slightly lowered tier. This cyclical pattern ensures each set’s climb feels rewarding and relevant, even for those who join halfway through.

Pro Tips to Transition Between Sets

Adapting swiftly to a brand-new set is vital for staying competitive. Here are some tips:

• Read Official Previews: Riot often publishes dev blogs or “Mechanics Previews” for upcoming sets. These detail new traits, top synergy combos, and if certain items or heroes remain. Familiarize yourself early to gain a knowledge advantage.
• Play PBE If Possible: Testing new content on the Public Beta Environment drastically reduces your learning curve. Though PBE matchmaking can be less stable or balanced, it’s an excellent environment for discovering promising combos.
• Leverage Community Tools: Third-party websites like Mobalytics, TFTactics, Blitz.gg, or Metatft quickly compile recommended synergy builds and item usage for new sets. Following their cheat sheets can accelerate your early climbs.
• Watch Streamers & Pro Players: Many high-elo players quickly figure out strong comps in the first week. Observing their streams, especially tournaments, can show you best-in-slot itemization and pivot points for new synergy transitions.

Conclusion

Teamfight Tactics thrives on constant reinvention, rolling out new sets every few months to keep its player base enthralled. Each set heralds thematic changes, fresh champion pools, unique mechanics, and mid-season updates. Below is a succinct recap of the sets we’ve discussed, along with start and end dates for quick reference:

• Set 1: Beta Set (June 26, 2019 – October 22, 2019)
• Set 2: Rise of the Elements (November 5, 2019 – March 18, 2020)
• Set 3: Galaxies (March 18, 2020 – September 16, 2020)
• Set 4: Fates (September 16, 2020 – April 28, 2021)
• Set 5: Reckoning (April 28, 2021 – November 3, 2021)
• Set 6: Gizmos & Gadgets (November 3, 2021 – May 24, 2022)
• Set 7: Dragonlands (June 8, 2022 – December 7, 2022)
• Set 8: Monsters Attack! (December 7, 2022 – May 31, 2023)
• Set 9: Runeterra Reforged (June 14, 2023 – November 14, 2023)
• Set 10: God-Wars (November 15, 2023 – March 19, 2024)
• Set 11: Mythic Realms (March 20, 2024 – July 23, 2024)
• Set 12: Neon Nights (July 24, 2024 – November 19, 2024)
• Set 13: Into the Arcane (November 20, 2024 – March 25, 2025)
• Set 14: Cyber City (Upcoming) – PBE: March 12, 2025, Global Launch: March 26, 2025

Staying aware of these rotations gives you an edge, as you can map out your rank push, keep track of seasonal rank rewards, and prepare for mechanical overhauls. Whether you’re a grizzled veteran of the Beta Set or a newcomer enticed by the futuristic flair of Neon Nights, each expansion invites you to experiment with synergy combos, itemization strategies, and champion picks.

As the end of one set and the dawn of another approaches, now is the time to wrap up your climb, secure rank rewards, and learn from meta shifts. When Cyber City eventually drops, we can only imagine the new trait systems, champion lineups, and innovative mechanics Riot has in store. Veterans and amateurs alike will scramble to discover top-tier builds, synergy secrets, and creative item usage, forging the brand-new meta in real time.

In the meantime, you can leverage official patch previews, watch top TFT streamers, or hop onto PBE (if available) to glean early insights on upcoming changes. Mastering adaptability remains crucial in TFT’s cyclical content model: the game rewards players who can pivot between entirely different synergy sets every few months, all the while upholding fundamental auto-battler principles of positioning, economy management, and correct item combos.

Whether you’re chasing the top of the ranked ladder or simply exploring the new synergy puzzle each set provides, the excitement of Teamfight Tactics lies in its unpredictability and fresh injections of content. Keep track of those rotation schedules so you know precisely when to log in and discover the next big twist—be it cosmic galaxies, mystical dragons, or, soon, the neon-infused Cyber City.