We’ve all been there. You’re staring at the loading screen, admiring that new Mythic skin you just "had" to have, and a tiny, nagging voice in the back of your head asks: Wait, how much have I actually dropped on this game?
It starts small. A ten-dollar Riot Points (RP) bundle here. A battle pass there. Maybe a "support your favorite team" emote or a gift for a friend who definitely didn't deserve it after that 0/10 Yasuo performance. But over five, ten, or even fifteen years of playing League, those microtransactions snowball into a mountain of digital content.
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Honestly, the "free-to-play" label is a bit of a running joke in the community. League of Legends is technically free to download, but for most of us, it’s one of the most expensive hobbies we own. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore skin collector, knowing the "damage" is the first step toward better budgeting—or at least justifying that next purchase.
League of Legends: How Much Spent Tool (The Official Way)
If you want the cold, hard truth, you don't have to guess. Riot Games actually provides a specific tool for this. It’s tucked away in their support site, and it’s basically the "moment of truth" for every Summoner.
To use the "Show Me the Money" tool, you need to head over to the official Riot Support page. Once you're there, you’ll need to log in to your account. This is the crucial part because the data is tied specifically to your Riot ID. After logging in, you look for the specific article titled "How Much Money Have I Spent in League of Legends?"
You'll see a big, friendly button that says "Show Me the Money." Click it.
The site will then pull your transaction history and give you a grand total. Just a heads-up: this number only includes real money spent on your current region. If you’ve transferred your account from NA to EUW or vice versa, the tool might not aggregate the spending from your previous region. To get the full, global picture of your spending, you’d actually have to submit a formal data request, which is a bit more of a process but gives you a massive .json file with every login, report, and penny ever spent.
Why the Number Might Shock You
League has been around since 2009. That's a long time to be "nibbled" by small purchases.
Back in the day, a Legendary skin like Brolaf or Gentleman Cho'Gath was the pinnacle of spending. Now, we have Ultimate skins, Prestige Editions, and even the "Hall of Legends" bundles that can cost upwards of $450—looking at you, Signature Immortalized Legend Ahri.
The Real Cost of "Free"
- Champions: While you can earn these with Blue Essence, many players buy the "Starter Packs" or use RP to skip the grind.
- Skins: This is the big one. With tiers ranging from 520 RP to 3250+ RP, it’s easy to lose track.
- Loot Boxes: Hextech and Masterpiece chests introduce a gambling element. You think, just one more chest, and suddenly you've spent $20 for a handful of emotes and a ward skin.
- Event Passes: These have become the standard. Every month or two, a new event drops, promising "exclusive" rewards if you just play enough and pay the entrance fee.
A 2025 study on gaming habits suggested the average US gamer spends about $372 annually on microtransactions. For a League player who has been active for a decade, seeing a total between $2,000 and $5,000 isn't just possible—it’s actually fairly common.
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Hidden Costs and Region Differences
One thing people often forget when looking at league of legends how much spent data is the variation in currency value. Riot has adjusted RP prices multiple times over the years due to inflation and regional tax changes.
If you bought RP in 2015, you probably got a lot more "bang for your buck" than you do today. This means two players with the same amount of skins might have vastly different total spend numbers depending on when they bought their points.
Also, consider the third-party factor. The official Riot tool does not track:
- Gift cards bought at physical retailers (until they are redeemed).
- Third-party RP sellers (which you should avoid anyway for account security).
- Merch from the Riot Games store (hoodies, statues, etc.).
If you’re a superfan with a shelf full of K/DA statues and a wardrobe of Teemo hats, your actual "League investment" is likely double what the support tool tells you.
How to Manage Your Gaming Budget in 2026
It’s easy to feel guilty when that "Show Me the Money" button returns a four-digit number. But hey, if you’ve played 5,000 hours, that’s pennies per hour of entertainment. It’s cheaper than going to the movies or out to dinner.
Still, if the number made your stomach drop, here’s how to rein it in.
First, use the Your Shop feature. This occurs a few times a year and gives you massive discounts (up to 70%) on skins for champions you actually play. Never buy a skin at full price unless it’s a brand-new release you absolutely cannot live without.
Second, utilize the refund system. Every account gets three refund tokens. If you bought a skin and realized the in-game model looks nothing like the splash art, get those Riot Points back.
Lastly, check the Prime Gaming (or equivalent) rewards. Riot often partners with platforms to give away free capsules that include skins, orange essence, and RP. It’s a great way to grow your collection without touching your bank account.
Actionable Next Steps
- Audit your account: Go to the Riot Support site and use the "Show Me the Money" tool right now. Knowing the number is better than fearing it.
- Calculate the "Value per Hour": Divide your total spent by your total hours played (you can check hours on sites like Wasted on LoL). If you’re under $1 per hour, you’re doing fine.
- Set a "Skin Cap": Decide on a monthly allowance for gaming. Once the RP is gone, wait until the next month.
- Review your subscriptions: Check if you’re still paying for things like Xbox Game Pass (which unlocks all League champions) and see if that’s actually saving you money or just adding to the pile.