LoL First Stand 2025: Importance Explained

Next week, all eyes in the League of Legends community will be on Seoul, where the champions of the Winter competition will clash in the highly anticipated First Stand 2025. In this article, we delve into all the essential details of this exciting 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 champions from the five major regions are set to compete:

• 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, with a balanced distribution: the champion will secure 30% of the total, while even the last-place team will take home $130,000.

What is the format of First Stand 2025?

The tournament kicks off with a round-robin stage, where each team will engage in a Best of 3 (Bo3) match against every other team. The team with the poorest performance will be eliminated, and the remaining four teams will advance to a single-elimination playoff, competing in a first-to-3 format.

All matches will utilize the Fearless Draft system, which prohibits the reuse of any champion once picked in a series. This rule has ignited discussions among fans and players. While it promotes variety, it can prevent players from utilizing their signature champions, potentially impacting performance. Given that First Stand 2025 is the first international tournament of the season, it presents an ideal opportunity for experimentation.

Why is First Stand 2025 important?

At a glance, First Stand 2025 might appear as a casual warm-up, but its influence could be profound. This tournament can be seen as a catalyst for the season, where a strong showing could propel a team towards success at the World Championship.

The winner of First Stand 2025 will secure an automatic group stage slot for their region’s second seed at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Furthermore, the two regions that perform best at MSI will earn an additional slot for the World Championship, making this event a pivotal moment for regional prowess. Teams are not only competing for their own 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 each day, except for the final day, 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 viewing options, including a variety of co-streamers. Head over to lolesports.com to choose the best and most comfortable way to watch the action unfold.