LoL First Stand 2025: Importance Explained

Next week, all eyes in the League of Legends community will be on Seoul, where the champions from the Winter competition will clash in the eagerly anticipated First Stand 2025. In this article, we delve into 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 First Stand 2025 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 substantial prize pool of $1 million, with a fair distribution: the champion will take home 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 all teams will compete in a best-of-three (Bo3) match against each other. The team with the poorest record will be eliminated, and the remaining four will advance to a single-elimination playoff, where matches are first to 3 wins.

All games will utilize the Fearless Draft system, which prohibits the reuse of champions within a series. This format has stirred some debate among fans and players. While it brings variety to the gameplay, it also means players can't always rely on their signature champions. Given that this is the first international tournament of the season, it's an ideal opportunity for teams to experiment and adapt.

Why is First Stand 2025 important?

Though it might appear as just a friendly warm-up at first glance, the impact of First Stand 2025 could be significant. It's akin to the butterfly effect: a strong showing here could pave the way for success at the World Championship.

The winner of First Stand 2025 will secure their region’s second seed an automatic spot 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 prestige. In essence, teams are competing not just for personal glory and Riot’s prize money but also for the future of their entire region.

What is the First Stand 2025 schedule?

The event schedule, listed in Central European Time (CET), features two matches per day 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 numerous options to catch the action, including a variety of co-streamers. Head over to lolesports.com to find the most convenient viewing option for you.