All next week, League of Legends fans will be focused on Seoul, where five champions of the Winter competition will face each other during the First Stand 2025. In this article, we’ll cover all the key details of the event.
Table of Content
- 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 of the five major regions are set to compete in this exciting event:
- CTBC Flying Oyster (LCP)
- Hanwha Life Esports (LCK)
- Karmine Corp (LEC)
- Team Liquid (LTA)
- Top Esports (LPL)
Riot Games has announced a generous prize pool of $1 million for First Stand 2025. The distribution of this prize is quite equitable: the champion will claim 30% of the total, while even the team finishing in last place will secure a respectable $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 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 matches will adhere to the Fearless Draft system, meaning once a champion is selected in a series, it cannot be used again. This format has stirred some debate within the community. While fans appreciate the increased variety, players may find it challenging to perform at their peak without their signature champions. Nonetheless, as the first international tournament of the season, it's an excellent opportunity for teams to experiment and innovate.
Why is First Stand 2025 important?
Although First Stand 2025 might appear to be a casual warm-up event, its significance should not be underestimated. A strong showing here can have a domino effect, potentially setting the stage for a successful run at the World Championships.
The winner of First Stand 2025 will secure their region’s second seed an automatic berth into the group stage at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Moreover, the two best-performing regions at MSI will earn an additional slot at Worlds, making this tournament crucial for regional prestige and future opportunities. In essence, teams are competing not just for their own glory and Riot’s prize money, but also for the future of their entire region.
What is the First Stand 2025 schedule?
The schedule for First Stand 2025 is packed with action-packed matches, with each day featuring two games (all times listed in 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 ensures that fans have multiple options to enjoy the tournament. You can catch all the action on lolesports.com, where you'll find various viewing options tailored to your preferences, including a wide selection of co-streamers.
