LoL First Stand 2025: why this tournament is important

Next week, all eyes in the League of Legends community will be on Seoul as the champions of the Winter competition come together for the highly anticipated First Stand 2025. In this article, we'll dive into all the essential details you need to know about 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 event 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 set up a prize pool of $1 million, with a balanced distribution: the champion will claim 30% of the total, while even the last-place team will receive $130,000.

What is the format of First Stand 2025?

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

All games will utilize the Fearless Draft system, which prohibits the reuse of a champion once picked in a series. This format has stirred some debate among fans and players. While it introduces variety and excitement, it can also prevent players from using their signature champions, potentially affecting their performance. However, as the first international tournament of the season, it's an ideal opportunity for teams to experiment and adapt.

Why is First Stand 2025 important?

Although it might appear as a casual warm-up, First Stand 2025 holds significant implications. It's akin to the butterfly effect; a strong showing here can set the tone for success at the World Championship.

The winner of First Stand 2025 will secure their region's second seed an automatic slot in the group stage at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Moreover, the two regions that perform best at MSI will earn an additional slot for the World Championship, making this event crucial for regional competitiveness. Teams are not just 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 per 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 for fans, including a variety of co-streamers. Head over to lolesports.com to find the most suitable and comfortable way to watch the action unfold.