5 most popular League of Legends heroes used in esports (2025 update)

League of Legends has become hugely influential since its release in 2009. This extends beyond its substantial general fanbase, as it has also become one of the most popular esports since competitive LoL games began in March 2017. 

Legendary esports players have made their name in the LoL competitive scene, while millions of fans have tuned in to watch the epic and often nail-biting pro matches. There is no doubt that League of Legends has truly ascended to top-tier status in esports. 

Each character (champion) in LoL has its own set of skills and unique abilities, meaning that every character has a different part to play in a game. However, some heroes are picked more than others in professional esports, but which are the most popular League of Legends heroes? 

The most popular heroes can change depending on the region, but they can also change over time. That being said, some LoL heroes have staying power that has allowed them to maintain high pick rates across the various competitive seasons (note: all pick stats are as of April 24, 2025). With this in mind, let’s take a look at five of the most popular LoL heroes in esports. 

Thresh is known for being one of the most popular LoL heroes in the big leagues, so much so that the champion made it into the Guinness World Records. 

In 2017, Thresh received the record for the “Most picked champion in pro League of Legends matches.” This was due to the character being picked for around 34% of all comp games as of March 17th, 2017. While Thresh’s appearances in competitive games have fluctuated in recent years, he is still one of the most chosen LoL champions of all time.  

Thresh is a versatile support champion, offering a combination of defensive and offensive abilities in his skill set. He can save allies while also initiating a fight, and can be used by players of various skill levels. That being said, professional players can make the most out of Thresh’s skills to implement more mechanically challenging plays. 

Leona’s popularity with esports players is apparent in her picks in LoL tournaments in the early 2020s. She was the second most picked champion worldwide during the 2021 Summer Split, coming in second place to the aforementioned Lee Sin. She was also the most picked support hero in the LPL Spring 2022 tournament. 

Leona is reliable and versatile, with skills to support teammates and aid with crowd control. She is also a particularly tanky support who can absorb plenty of damage, allowing her to take the frontline and protect the team. 

Because of Leona’s tankiness and support kit, she pairs well with a range of other champions and can be used in all sorts of team compositions. It’s no surprise that she is still relatively popular in competitive League of Legends. 

Also known as the Blind Monk, Lee Sin is a champion with a high skill ceiling and plenty of playmaking potential. His dominance in pro games has been evident throughout the years. Lee Sin was one of the most picked champions in the history of the LoL Worlds Finals. He was also picked 41 times during the LCS Spring 2020 split, achieving a win rate of 53.7%. 

While not as effective at scaling, Lee Sin’s skill lies in his versatility. He can work in a huge number of team comps, such as diving comps or skirmish comps. He is also a champion who can both disengage and initiate fights as well as protect. Lee Sin is a reliable choice of a melee champion in League of Legends, making it clear why he is so popular among pros. 

Ezreal is another LoL champion who is chosen consistently in pro games. Ezreal’s appeal to professional esports players comes from his excellent mobility skills along with his versatility. 

Ezreal has some great ranged abilities that allow him to poke at enemies consistently in a match, often leading to players creating a poke mage build with him. His Arcane Shift skill combines fantastically with his ranged attacks, as it is an evasive maneuver that allows him to quickly blink away out of the range of incoming danger. This also gives Ezreal some independence, making him less reliant on other teammates for protection. 

Support and tank champion Nautilus has been a consistent top pick for esports players in professional League of Legends. In 2020, he was the support champion with the most picks around the world in pro-comp games. He continues to be a standout choice, with significant pick and ban rates in tournaments. 

Nautilus’s popularity in the professional LoL scene comes from his great crowd-control abilities combined with his reliable adaptability and impressive utility. He’s a safe and sturdy choice who can start fights with ease during a match. Nautilus is also a lot less demanding mechanically, making him easier to utilise on the digital battlefield. 

These five Lol champions are just a few of the most popular among the professional League of Legends esports community. Some other popular picks from across the years include Elise, Ashe, Lucian, and Viego, to name a few. 

These champions are utilized by a range of professionals in League of Legends esports thanks to their versatile skill sets and ability to slot in well with all sorts of team compositions. If you are thinking of trying to get into the pro-LoL world, these heroes are a great choice to start practising with!