Change your DJ Sona skin in the champion select screen before each match

To change your DJ Sona skin, open League of Legends and enter a match lobby. When you lock in Sona as your champion, a skin selection menu appears automatically. Click the skin you own from the options shown, then confirm your choice. The skin you select will be active for that match only — you'll need to pick again in your next game if you want to use a different one.

If you don't see a skin selection menu, make sure you own the skin you're trying to use. Skins must be purchased through the League client before they appear as options in champion select. You can also preview skins before buying them to see how they look in-game, including their animations and sound effects.

The skin selection interface appears on the left side of your screen or near your champion portrait, depending on your client layout. This menu only shows up after you've actually selected Sona — if you pick a different champion, the Sona skins won't be available to choose.

Key Takeaways

  • Skin selection happens in champion select after you lock in Sona, not in the main menu.
  • Only skins you own will show up as options — you cannot use skins you haven't purchased.
  • Your skin choice applies only to that single match; you pick again in your next game.
  • If no skin menu appears, restart the client or check your collection to confirm you actually own the skin.
  • All players in the match will see the skin you select, including your teammates and opponents.

Purchasing DJ Sona skins through the League client

DJ Sona has multiple skin versions available in the League client. To buy a skin, go to the main menu and navigate to the shop. Search for "Sona" or browse the champion skins section. Click on the skin you want and select "Purchase." Most skins cost between 750 and 1820 Riot Points, though prices vary depending on the skin's rarity and release date.

Before you spend Riot Points, use the preview button in the shop to see how a skin looks in-game. This shows you the skin's appearance, animations, and sound effects in action. Once you purchase a skin, it stays in your account permanently and appears in your skin selection menu every time you play Sona.

You can view all your owned Sona skins at any time by going to your collection in the main menu and searching for Sona. This is also the place to check if a skin you think you own is actually attached to your account.

What happens if you don't select a skin during champion select

If you don't actively choose a skin during champion select, League uses your default skin — usually the original Sona or whichever skin you last played with. The game won't force you to pick; it simply applies a default choice automatically when the match starts.

You have until the end of champion select to make your choice. Once the game loads, your skin is locked in for that match and cannot be changed mid-game. If you want to use a different skin in your next match, you'll go through the same selection process again.

Troubleshooting when the skin menu doesn't appear

If the skin menu doesn't appear when you lock in Sona, first check that you actually own the skin. Go to your collection in the main menu and search for Sona to see all the skins attached to your account. If a skin shows as owned but doesn't appear in champion select, try restarting the League client completely.

Close the application entirely, wait a few seconds, and reopen it. The client sometimes needs to refresh to display all your purchased content. If you still can't see the skin menu after restarting, make sure you're in an actual ranked or normal match lobby — some game modes like practice tool may have different interfaces or may not show the skin selection menu at all.

If you've restarted and confirmed you own the skin but it still won't show up, try locking in Sona again or switching to a different champion and then back to Sona. Occasionally the menu needs a moment to load after you lock in your champion.

How skin selection works in different game modes

Skin selection works the same way in ranked matches, normal matches, and draft pick games. In all these modes, the skin menu appears after you lock in Sona during champion select. The process is identical regardless of which queue you're playing in.

In practice tool and custom games, the skin menu also works the same way. You lock in Sona and then select from your owned skins. The only difference is that in practice tool, you're playing alone, so only you will see the skin you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my skin after the match has started?

No. Once the game loads, your skin choice is locked in for the entire match. You can only change skins during champion select, before the game begins. If you want to use a different skin, you'll need to wait until your next match and select it during that champion select phase.

What if I own a skin but it's not showing up in champion select?

Restart the League client completely. Close the application, wait a few seconds, and reopen it. Sometimes the client doesn't display all purchased skins until it refreshes. If the skin still doesn't appear, check your collection in the main menu to confirm you actually own it.

Do I have to pay every time I want to use a skin?

No. Once you purchase a skin, you own it permanently. You don't pay again each time you use it. The skin stays in your account and appears in your selection menu for every future match where you play Sona.

Will other players see the skin I choose?

Yes. The skin you select in champion select is visible to all players in the match — both your teammates and opponents will see it during the game.

What's the difference between DJ Sona skins?

Each DJ Sona skin has different visual effects, animations, and sound effects. Some are older and simpler, while newer skins have more detailed animations and particle effects. Preview each skin in the shop before buying to see which one you prefer.