How Much I’ve Spent on League: The Complete Guide to Your Riot Points, Skins, and Real Costs

How much I’ve spent on League — a question that’s both exciting and terrifying for any long-time League of Legends player. I remember when I first installed Riot Games’ iconic MOBA. I promised myself I wouldn’t spend a single cent. After all, it’s free-to-play… right? But fast-forward a few years and I found myself staring at a number that shocked me: over $1,800 spent on virtual skins, event passes, loot boxes, and more.

If you’re here, chances are you’re ready to face that number too — or at least understand how and why players like us end up spending so much. This isn’t just a breakdown of my own purchases; it’s a complete guide to understanding League of Legends spending: how it happens, why it happens, how to calculate it, and — most importantly — how to control it without sacrificing fun.

Table of Contents

🎮 Why Players Spend Money on a Free Game

One of the biggest paradoxes in gaming is the “free-to-play” model. League of Legends is technically free — anyone can download it, climb the ranked ladder, and unlock champions without spending a dollar. Yet, Riot Games earns billions of dollars each year from this so-called free game. Why?

The truth is, League doesn’t sell gameplay advantages. It sells identity, status, and expression. Here’s why spending feels natural:

🎨 Cosmetic Appeal: Skins, emotes, and chromas let you personalize your champions and stand out on the Rift.
🏆 Status Symbols: Prestige and Mythic skins show dedication, longevity, and even skill.
🎉 Event Exclusivity: Limited-time passes and themed bundles create urgency.
❤️ Support for the Game: Many players simply want to support a game they love.

For many of us, spending becomes a form of engagement. It’s not about power — it’s about feeling connected to the game we invest hundreds of hours into.

💳 How to Check How Much You’ve Spent on League

Before you can manage or reflect on your spending, you need to know your number. Riot makes it simple:

Visit the official Riot Games purchase tracker.
Log in with your Riot account.
Click “Show me how much I’ve spent.”

In seconds, you’ll see the total amount you’ve spent on RP, skins, bundles, passes, and loot. But keep in mind — this total does not include merchandise, gifts to friends, or purchases made on smurf accounts. My first number shocked me: $1,312.49. And once I added those extras? The real number was over $1,800.

📊 Where Your Money Actually Goes in League

When I looked deeper into my spending, I realized most of it fell into a few predictable categories. Let’s break them down with real-world numbers.

1. Champion Skins – The Gateway Purchase

The most common purchase for any player is champion skins. They don’t affect gameplay but completely change how your favorite champions look and feel.

Standard skins: ~975 RP (~$7)
Epic skins: ~1350 RP (~$10)
Legendary skins: ~1820 RP (~$14)
Ultimate skins: ~3250 RP (~$25+)

At first, I bought a few skins for champions I mained — Project: Yasuo, K/DA Ahri, Dark Cosmic Jhin. But the more I played, the more champions I loved, and the more skins I bought. Over time, I accumulated more than 70 skins, easily costing over $500.

2. Prestige & Mythic Skins – The Premium Trap

Prestige editions and Mythic Essence skins are Riot’s most premium cosmetics. They’re rare, time-limited, and often require a combination of event passes, loot, and grind to obtain. Many of these skins cost $25–$40 when you factor in the resources needed.

Some of my most expensive splurges were Prestige skins like Spirit Blossom Teemo and Nightbringer Lee Sin. They cost me over $35 each — but I justified it as “collector’s items.”

3. Event Passes – The Seasonal Sinkhole

Riot runs several major events each year, each with its own event pass (usually ~1650 RP or ~$15). Passes include missions, orbs, tokens, and exclusive loot. They’re optional — but skipping them often feels like missing out.

I used to ignore them. Now, I buy almost every single one. In 2024 alone, I spent over $150 just on event passes.

4. Hextech Loot – The Gacha Gamble

Loot boxes (Hextech chests and Masterwork chests) are a form of gacha gambling. They’re relatively cheap individually (~$1–$2), but they’re addictive. I’ve spent more than $200 trying to unlock rare skins through RNG. Sometimes I got lucky — most times, I didn’t.

🧠 The Psychology Behind League Spending

Why do rational people spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on digital cosmetics? The answer lies in psychology — and Riot Games understands it deeply.

🕐 FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Limited skins and exclusive events pressure you to buy before they’re gone.
💎 Sunk Cost Fallacy: Once you spend a little, you’re more likely to spend more to “complete” a collection.
🎯 Progression Triggers: Event passes and loot boxes create dopamine-fuelled reward loops.
👑 Social Proof: Seeing teammates or streamers flaunt premium skins makes you want them too.

Being aware of these triggers helps you take control — instead of letting marketing control you.

📅 My Spending Evolution: Year by Year

Spending doesn’t happen all at once. For most players — myself included — it grows with time and engagement.

Year 1 – The Newbie: A few skins and maybe one event pass.. (~$20)
Year 2 – The Collector: More skins, more passes, maybe a prestige edition. (~$150)
Year 3 – The Prestige Hunter: Actively chasing mythic essence and rare skins. (~$400+)
Year 4 – The Routine: Monthly RP purchases become the norm. (~$500+)
Year 5+ – The Completionist: Nearly every pass, skin line, and mythic rotation. (~$800+)

💸 Total: ~$1800+ (and counting)

🧮 The Hidden Costs Players Forget

The “Show me how much I’ve spent” page doesn’t show the whole picture. Many players overlook these costs:

💻 Smurf Accounts: RP on alternate accounts is separate.
🎁 Gifts: Skins or bundles bought for friends still come from your wallet.
🛍️ Merchandise: Riot collectibles and apparel can easily add $100+.
🏆 Esports Support: Buying team skins or Worlds passes adds up.

When I included these, my real lifetime total was over $2,000.

📚 RP Pricing, Taxes, and Hidden Fees Explained

Riot Points are sold in tiered bundles. The bigger the bundle, the more bonus RP you get — but it also encourages higher spending. For example:

1380 RP – $10
2800 RP – $20
7200 RP – $50

There are also hidden costs players forget:

💳 Transaction fees: Some banks charge 1–3% for foreign transactions.
🧾 Taxes: VAT or GST is often baked into pricing.
💱 Exchange rates: Fluctuations can make costs higher in certain regions.

These can quietly increase your spending by 5–10% over time.

📊 Event Pass ROI: Are They Worth It?

Event passes can be a good deal — if you play enough. Here’s how to check:

If you play >10 games per week, the missions and rewards make the pass worth it.
If you’re a casual player, you might not unlock enough tokens to justify the cost.
On average, a $15 pass yields rewards worth $25–$30 if fully completed.

I calculate my “cost per cosmetic” after each event. If it’s higher than direct purchases, I skip the next one.

📦 Skins vs. Loot: Which Is More Cost-Effective?

Buying skins directly is straightforward. Loot boxes, however, are a gamble.

Direct purchase: ~1350 RP (~$10) for a guaranteed skin.
Loot path: Might cost $20–$30 before you unlock the same value.

Unless you enjoy the thrill of randomness, buying directly is almost always more cost-effective.

📈 Spending Compared to Other Games

Feeling guilty about your total? You shouldn’t. Compared to similar games, League is actually on the lower end of the spending spectrum.

League of Legends	$300–$2000+	Cosmetics, passes
Fortnite	$400–$2500+	Cosmetics, battle pass
Genshin Impact	$500–$5000+	Gacha characters
Apex Legends	$200–$1500+	Skins, loot boxes
Valorant	$400–$3000+	Weapon skins

💡 How to Control Your League Spending (Without Killing the Fun)

Here’s how I took control of my spending without quitting the game:

1. Set a Monthly Budget

Decide how much you’re comfortable spending each month. Treat RP like a subscription — once you hit the limit, stop.

2. Wait for Sales

Riot discounts older skins regularly. Waiting even a few weeks can save 30–50%.

3. Focus on Mains

Buy skins only for champions you consistently play. This ensures every purchase adds value.

4. Avoid Impulse Buys

Tilted? Excited? Don’t buy RP in the moment. Wait 24 hours. Most impulses fade.

5. Track Everything

Use a simple spreadsheet with columns for Date, Item, Cost, and Category. Awareness alone can cut spending by 20–30%.

🧠 Responsible Spending: Mindset Shifts That Work

✅ From deal to value: Don’t ask “Is it on sale?” Ask “Will I use it?”
🕐 Delay purchases: Wait 24–48 hours before buying.
🎯 One-in, one-out: For every new skin, skip one future purchase.
🧘 Cool-down quarter: Spend $0 for three months and reevaluate.

🧠 Measuring Value: Time-Per-Dollar & Joy-Per-Dollar

Here’s a trick I use:

If a $15 pass gives me 20 hours of enjoyment, that’s $0.75/hour — cheaper than a movie ticket.
If a $10 skin makes me excited to play every day, that’s value.
If I forget about a purchase in a week? That’s a waste.

🧭 Final Thoughts: Know Your Spending, Own Your Choices

When I finally faced how much I’ve spent on League, it wasn’t regret I felt — it was perspective. I learned how marketing shapes my decisions, how small purchases snowball, and how to make spending intentional rather than impulsive.

Yes, I could’ve saved that money. But I also could’ve missed out on thousands of hours of fun, unforgettable moments with friends, and a game that’s been part of my life for over a decade. And in the end, value isn’t about dollars — it’s about joy.

So, whether you’ve spent $20 or $2000, remember this: your spending doesn’t define your worth as a player. What matters is why you spend — and that you’re doing it on your terms.

✅ Key Takeaways

Use Riot’s tool to check your spending and understand where it goes.
Most spending is driven by psychology — awareness is the first step to control.
Budgeting, tracking, and prioritizing add enormous long-term value.
Your spending is valid if it fits your budget and enhances your enjoyment.

🧠 FAQs

Q: Does spending money give me an in-game advantage?
No. All purchases are cosmetic only.

Q: Can I transfer skins to another account?
No, purchases are locked to the account.

Q: Can I refund purchases?
Yes, Riot offers a limited number of refund tokens.

Q: How often does Riot release skins?
About 3–5 skins per month, with bigger drops during events.

Q: Are there free ways to get skins?
Yes. Loot events, missions, and crafting all offer free skins over time.

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