Creating a new League account on EU servers requires a Riot Games account, an email address, and a choice between the two European regional servers

To play League of Legends in Europe, you need a Riot Games account linked to one of two regional servers: EUW (Europe West) or EUNE (Europe Nordic & East). You cannot play on both servers with the same account—you pick one when you create your account, and that choice is permanent. The account creation process takes about five minutes and is free.

The two servers serve different regions. EUW covers Western Europe, the UK, and parts of Central Europe. EUNE covers Nordic countries, Eastern Europe, and Russia. Server choice affects which players you compete against and which regional ranked ladder you climb. If you live in or near Western Europe, EUW is the standard choice. If you are in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, or Russia, EUNE is typically lower-latency.

Key Takeaways

  • You must create a Riot Games account first, then select either EUW or EUNE server during setup—this choice cannot be changed later.
  • The account creation process requires a valid email address, a username, a password, and confirmation of your email before you can log in to the game.
  • EUW and EUNE are separate servers with different player bases and ranked ladders; moving between them requires creating a new account.
  • Once your account is created and verified, you can download the League client and begin playing immediately.

Step-by-step account creation on the Riot Games website

Go to account.riot.com and click "Sign Up" in the top right corner. You will see a form asking for your email address, a username (the name other players see in-game), your date of birth, and a password. Enter a valid email address you have access to—Riot will send a verification link to this address, and you will need to click it before you can play.

Choose a username between 3 and 16 characters. This is your in-game name and appears to all other players. You can change it later using Riot Points (the premium currency), but the first change is free. Enter your date of birth accurately; Riot uses this to enforce age restrictions in certain regions. Create a password at least 8 characters long, with at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character.

After you submit the form, Riot sends a verification email to the address you provided. Open your email, find the message from Riot Games, and click the verification link. This step must be completed before you can log in to the game client. If you do not see the email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder.

Selecting your EU server during account setup

After you verify your email, you will be prompted to select your region and server. Choose Europe as your region. You will then see two options: EUW (Europe West) and EUNE (Europe Nordic & East). This choice is permanent—you cannot switch servers with the same account. If you later want to play on the other server, you must create a new Riot Games account.

If you are unsure which server to choose, check your ping (network latency) by downloading the League client on both servers and running a practice game. Lower ping means smoother gameplay. Most Western European players use EUW; most players in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe use EUNE. Your choice also determines which regional ranked ladder you compete on and which language options are available in the client.

Downloading the League client and logging in

Once you have selected your server, you will be directed to download the League of Legends client. Go to leagueoflegends.com, click "Play Now" or "Download," and select your operating system (Windows or Mac). The download is about 15 to 20 gigabytes and takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on your internet speed.

After the client finishes installing, open it and log in using the email address and password you created. The client will ask you to confirm your region and server one more time. Once you log in, you can customize your profile, choose a champion to learn, and enter a practice game or matchmade queue. New accounts start at level 1 and must reach level 30 before they can play ranked matches.

What happens if you want to switch servers later

If you created an account on EUW but later want to play on EUNE (or vice versa), you cannot transfer your existing account. You must create a new Riot Games account with a different email address and go through the setup process again. Your old account remains on its original server with all its champions, skins, and rank intact, but you cannot access it from the new server.

Some players maintain accounts on both servers. This requires two separate email addresses and two separate Riot Games accounts. You switch between them by logging out of the League client and logging in with different credentials. Keep your login details for both accounts secure, as they give access to any cosmetics or ranked progress you have earned on each server.

Account security and protecting your new EU account

After you create your account, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect it from unauthorized access. Log in to account.riot.com, go to "Security," and follow the prompts to add 2FA using an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy. This adds a second verification step when you log in from a new device, making it much harder for someone to hijack your account.

Use a strong, unique password that you do not use on other websites. If your password is compromised on another site, attackers may try to use it on your Riot account. Never share your login details with anyone, including friends or content creators. Riot support will never ask for your password. If you suspect your account has been hacked, change your password immediately and contact Riot support through account.riot.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my server after I create my account?

No. Your server choice is permanent when you create your account. If you want to play on a different EU server, you must create a new Riot Games account with a different email address. Your old account and all its progress remain on the original server.

Do I need to pay money to create an account?

No. Creating a Riot Games account and playing League is completely free. You can spend money on cosmetics like skins and battle passes, but these are optional and do not affect gameplay.

How long does it take to verify my email?

Riot sends the verification email within seconds of you signing up. Check your inbox and spam folder. If you do not see it after five minutes, you can request a new verification email from the login page. Once you click the link, your account is immediately ready to use.

What is the difference between EUW and EUNE in terms of gameplay?

Both servers run the same game and receive patches at the same time. The main differences are the player base (different regions and languages), server location (which affects your ping), and the regional ranked ladder. Gameplay mechanics and champion balance are identical.

Can I use the same email for multiple League accounts?

No. Each Riot Games account requires a unique email address. If you want accounts on both EUW and EUNE, you need two different email addresses.