Next week, the eyes of the League of Legends community will be set on Seoul, where the champions of the Winter competition will clash in the exciting First Stand 2025. In this article, we'll delve into all the essential details of this much-anticipated event.

Table of Contents

• Who is playing in First Stand 2025?
• What is the format of First Stand 2025?
• Why is First Stand 2025 important?
• What is the First Stand 2025 schedule?
• Where to watch First Stand 2025?

Who is playing in First Stand 2025?

The First Stand 2025 will feature the champions from the five major regions:

• CTBC Flying Oyster (LCP)
• Hanwha Life Esports (LCK)
• Karmine Corp (LEC)
• Team Liquid (LTA)
• Top Esports (LPL)

Riot Games has generously set aside a prize pool of $1 million, with a fair distribution: the champion will claim 30% of the total, while even the last-place team will secure $130,000.

What is the format of First Stand 2025?

The tournament kicks off with a round-robin stage, where each team will face off in a Best of 3 (Bo3) match against every other team. The team with the lowest record will be eliminated, leaving the remaining four to advance to a single-elimination playoff, where matches are played first to 3 wins.

All games will employ the Fearless Draft system, which prohibits the reuse of a champion within the same series. This format has stirred debate among fans and players alike. While it promotes variety in champion picks, it can sometimes hinder players from performing at their peak with their signature champions. However, as the first international tournament of the season, it provides a perfect opportunity for experimentation.

Why is First Stand 2025 important?

At first glance, First Stand 2025 might seem like a friendly warm-up, but its implications could be far-reaching. Consider it the butterfly effect: a strong showing here could set the tone for success at Worlds.

The winner of First Stand 2025 secures a second seed from their region an automatic slot in the group stage at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Moreover, the two regions with the best performance at MSI will earn an additional slot for Worlds, making this event crucial for the future prospects of each region. In essence, teams are not just competing for their own glory and Riot’s prize money but also for the prestige and competitive edge of their entire region.

What is the First Stand 2025 schedule?

Each day of the tournament, except for the final, will feature two matches, with all times listed in Central European Time (CET).

• March 10
  • 9:00 — TL vs. KC
  • 12:00 — HLE vs. TES
• March 11
  • 9:00 — CFO vs. KC
  • 12:00 — TL vs. TES
• March 12
  • 9:00 — CFO vs. HLE
  • 12:00 — KC vs. TES
• March 13
  • 9:00 — TL vs. CFO
  • 12:00 — HLE vs. KC
• March 14
  • 9:00 — CFO vs. TES
  • 12:00 — HLE vs. TL
• March 15
  • 9:00 — Semifinal 1
  • 12:00 — Semifinal 2
• March 16
  • 9:00 — Grand Final

Where to watch First Stand 2025?

Riot Games offers multiple ways to enjoy the tournament, including a variety of co-streamers. You can find your preferred viewing method at lolesports.com.