Game of Thrones fans who have been waiting to see the Starks together again do not need to wait for a new HBO series. The beloved Northern family is reuniting in Game of Thrones: Legends, the free-to-play mobile RPG from Zynga, through a new in-game event called Hand of the King. Starting September 23, 2026, players can summon Legendary versions of Ned Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Robb Stark, Catelyn Stark, and Jon Snow as the King in the North. The event runs until October 21, 2026, giving players nearly a month to collect these iconic characters.
What Is the Hand of the King Summon
Hand of the King is a limited-time Summon event inside Game of Thrones: Legends. A Summon works as the game’s character recruitment system. Players spend special tokens for a chance to earn Champion Shards, which are used to unlock and upgrade characters. The Hand of the King Summon specifically features most of the key Legendary Champions from House Stark, making it a rare opportunity to build a full Stark-focused team.
The featured champions include Ned Stark, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Robb Stark, Catelyn Stark, and a special Jon Snow variant titled King in the North. This is the first time Ned Stark has appeared in any Game of Thrones content since his execution in Season 1 of the HBO series, which aired 15 years ago.
Ned Stark Returns After 15 Years
Ned Stark, played by Sean Bean in the HBO series, remains one of the most iconic characters in Game of Thrones history. His death in Season 1 shocked audiences and set the tone for the entire series. Now, the Stark patriarch returns as a Legendary Champion in Game of Thrones: Legends under the title The Hand of the King.
In the game, Ned Stark is designed as a protective support Champion. He absorbs burdens from his allies, restores teammates who fight beside him, and delivers swift attacks against enemies. His abilities are built around the idea of honor and sacrifice, matching his character from the show. Ned joins the game on September 23, 2026.
Jon Snow Returns as the King in the North
Jon Snow, the character who carried the weight of the North through the later seasons of Game of Thrones, returns in the Hand of the King Summon as the King in the North. This version of Jon Snow is a Legendary Champion that players can earn through the same event.
Jon Snow’s return in the mobile game comes after the long-rumored Jon Snow spin-off series was shelved at HBO. Kit Harington, who played Jon Snow, previously explained that the project was paused because the creative team could not find a story strong enough to justify continuing the character’s journey. The Hand of the King Summon gives fans a different way to see Jon Snow back in action.
Brienne of Tarth and Lyanna Mormont Join the Stark Lineup
The Stark reinforcements in Game of Thrones: Legends did not begin with Ned Stark. Brienne of Tarth, voiced by Gwendoline Christie in the HBO series, arrived on August 26, 2026, as a Legendary Champion titled The True Knight. Brienne’s abilities focus on freezing enemies and strengthening allies, with attacks that hit a target and nearby foes. She becomes more dangerous as her team spreads Ice across the battlefield.
Lyanna Mormont, the young Lady of Bear Island, followed on September 9, 2026. Her Champion build rewards players who strike in the right order, turning one attack into another. She also helps her allies resist control effects like Silence and Restrain, keeping the North’s momentum alive.
All three characters—Brienne, Lyanna, and Ned—are designed to work better together. Zynga has emphasized that owning all three gives Stark teams a new play boost, with Brienne providing offensive pressure, Lyanna maintaining momentum, and Ned protecting and inspiring the group.
How to Get the Stark Champions
The Hand of the King Summon requires Exalted Tokens, a premium Summoning currency introduced in June 2026. Exalted Tokens can be earned through Material Trials, Proving Grounds, and Goldroad rewards. Players can also spend Gold on Exalted banners.
Exalted Summons offer twice the probability of receiving Legendary Shards compared to the older Splendid Token Summons, making this event more rewarding for players trying to unlock the Stark champions. The Summon runs from September 23 at 4:00 AM ET to October 21 at 2:00 AM ET.
Other September Events in Game of Thrones Legends
September is a busy month for Game of Thrones: Legends. The Endless Winter Kingsroad season began on September 14 and runs through October 12. The premium Goldroad Pass for this season includes Champion Shards for the Night King.
A new PvP season featuring Aemond Targaryen shards also started on September 14 and runs through October 11. The Legend Trial: A Blood Debt gives players a chance to earn Oberyn Martell shards from September 12 to September 22. Other events include the Battle of Blackwater Bay from September 17 to September 21 and the Assault on Rook’s Rest from September 24 to September 28.
Melisandre, The Red Woman, was added as a Champion on September 2, and Joffrey Baratheon: Protector of the Realm arrived on September 16.
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Game of Thrones Legends Availability
Game of Thrones: Legends is available worldwide as a free-to-play mobile game on the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android. The game launched on July 25, 2024, and receives monthly updates with characters from Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Players in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, India, and other regions can download the game and participate in the Hand of the King Summon. No HBO Max subscription is needed to play, as the game is standalone and does not require a TV provider login.
The Hand of the King Summon is the closest thing to a Stark family reunion that fans will get while the HBO spin-off projects remain in development. For players who grew up watching the Starks fight for the North, this event offers a chance to build a team around the family that started it all.
Also Read: Brynden Rivers, Not Daenerys, Is the Real Link Between All Game of Thrones Spin-offs
Game of Thrones: Legends keeps the story of Westeros alive for fans across the world. Stay with VvipTimes for more updates on the games and shows you love.
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