LoL First Stand 2025: Importance Explained

Next week, the eyes of the League of Legends community will be locked on Seoul, South Korea, as the champions of the Winter competition gather for the highly anticipated First Stand 2025 event. In this article, we delve into all the essential details you need to know about this exciting tournament.

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 five major regions, showcasing their skills on the global stage:

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

Riot Games has set up an impressive prize pool of $1 million, which will be distributed fairly among the participants. The champion team will secure 30% of the total, while even the last-place team will walk away with a substantial $130,000.

What is the format of First Stand 2025?

The tournament kicks off with a round-robin stage, where all teams will compete in Best of 3 (Bo3) matches against each other. The team with the worst record will be eliminated, and the remaining four teams will advance to a single-elimination playoff, with matches being first to 3 wins.

The games will utilize the Fearless Draft system, which adds a layer of strategy and variety by prohibiting the reuse of any champion once picked within a series. While this format has sparked debate among fans and players—some appreciating the diversity, others feeling constrained from showcasing their signature champions—it's an excellent opportunity for experimentation at the start of the international season.

Why is First Stand 2025 important?

Although it may seem like a friendly warm-up at first glance, First Stand 2025 holds significant importance. It can be the catalyst for a region's success throughout the year, much like the butterfly effect. A strong showing here could pave the way for success at the World Championship.

The winner of First Stand 2025 will not only take home a significant portion of the prize pool but will also secure their region's second seed an automatic slot in the group stage at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Moreover, the two best-performing regions at MSI will earn an additional slot at the World Championship, making this event crucial for regional strength and future opportunities.

What is the First Stand 2025 schedule?

The tournament schedule is packed with action, featuring two matches per day (all times in CET), except for the final day:

• 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 to ensure fans don't miss a moment of the action. Head over to lolesports.com to find the best and most comfortable way to watch the tournament, including a variety of co-streamers who will be covering the event live.