LoL First Stand 2025: why this tournament is important

Next week, all eyes in the League of Legends community will be on Seoul, South Korea, as the First Stand 2025 event kicks off. This exciting tournament brings together the champions from five major regions to compete in what promises to be an exhilarating start to the competitive season. In this article, we'll dive into all the essential details you need to know about First Stand 2025.

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 tournament will feature the champions from the following 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 a prize pool of $1 million for the event. The distribution is quite balanced: the winning team will receive 30% of the total, while even the team finishing last will take home $130,000.

What is the format of First Stand 2025?

First Stand 2025 will commence with a round-robin stage, where each team will engage in Best of 3 (Bo3) matches against every other team. The team with the poorest record will be eliminated, and the remaining four will advance to a single-elimination playoff, competing in first-to-3 matches.

The tournament will utilize the Fearless Draft system, where once a champion is selected in a series, it cannot be used again. This format has stirred mixed reactions among fans and players alike. While it encourages a diverse range of champions, it also prevents players from consistently showcasing their skills with their preferred champions. Given that this is the first international event of the season, it offers a perfect opportunity for strategic experimentation.

Why is First Stand 2025 important?

While First Stand 2025 may appear to be just a pre-season warm-up, its implications are far-reaching. A stellar performance here can significantly influence a team's trajectory towards success at the World Championship (Worlds).

The winner of First Stand 2025 secures an automatic group stage slot for their region's second seed at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Moreover, the two regions that perform best at MSI will earn an additional slot for Worlds, making this event a pivotal moment for regional standings. Teams are not only competing for personal glory and Riot's prize money but also for the future prospects of their entire region.

What is the First Stand 2025 schedule?

The tournament will feature two matches per day, except for the final day, with all times listed in Central European Time (CET):

• March 10
  • 9:00 — Team Liquid vs. Karmine Corp
  • 12:00 — Hanwha Life Esports vs. Top Esports
• March 11
  • 9:00 — CTBC Flying Oyster vs. Karmine Corp
  • 12:00 — Team Liquid vs. Top Esports
• March 12
  • 9:00 — CTBC Flying Oyster vs. Hanwha Life Esports
  • 12:00 — Karmine Corp vs. Top Esports
• March 13
  • 9:00 — Team Liquid vs. CTBC Flying Oyster
  • 12:00 — Hanwha Life Esports vs. Karmine Corp
• March 14
  • 9:00 — CTBC Flying Oyster vs. Top Esports
  • 12:00 — Hanwha Life Esports vs. Team Liquid
• March 15
  • 9:00 — Semifinal 1
  • 12:00 — Semifinal 2
• March 16
  • 9:00 — Grand Final

Where to watch First Stand 2025?

Riot Games ensures that fans have numerous options to enjoy the matches, including various co-streamers. Head over to lolesports.com to find the viewing option that suits you best.