LoL First Stand 2025: Importance Explained

Next week, the eyes of the League of Legends community will be firmly set on Seoul, where the champions of the Winter competition will clash in the thrilling First Stand 2025 tournament. This article delves 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 First Stand 2025 will showcase the champions from five major regions, bringing together:

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

Riot Games has sweetened the pot with a hefty prize pool of $1 million, distributed fairly across the board. The winning team will claim 30% of the total, while even the last-place team will take home a respectable $130,000.

What is the format of First Stand 2025?

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

All matches will adhere to the Fearless Draft system, which prohibits the reuse of a champion once picked in a series. This rule has stirred some controversy among fans and players alike. While it promotes diversity in champion selection, it can hinder players from showcasing their prowess on their preferred champions. Nonetheless, as the first international event of the season, it's an ideal setting for experimentation and innovation.

Why is First Stand 2025 important?

Although it might appear as a casual warm-up, the First Stand 2025 holds significant weight. It's akin to the butterfly effect in competitive gaming; a stellar performance here can set the tone for success at the World Championship.

The victor 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 top two performing regions at MSI will earn an additional slot for the World Championship, making this tournament a pivotal moment for regional dominance. Teams are not just fighting 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 unfold over several days, with two matches scheduled each 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 ensures fans have multiple avenues to enjoy the action, including a variety of co-streamers. Head over to lolesports.com to find the viewing option that suits you best.