LoL First Stand 2025: Importance Explained

Next week, the eyes of the League of Legends community will be fixed on Seoul, where the champions of the Winter competition will clash in the highly anticipated First Stand 2025. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the essentials of this exciting event, ensuring you don't miss a beat.

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 stage is set for an epic showdown among 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 sweetened the pot with a $1 million prize pool, designed to keep the competition fierce. The winner will take home 30% of the total, while even the team finishing in last place will receive a substantial $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-three (Bo3) format against every other team. The team with the least favorable record will be eliminated, leaving the remaining four to advance to a thrilling single-elimination playoff, where matches are played to three wins.

Adding an extra layer of strategy, all games will adhere to the Fearless Draft system. This means once a champion is selected in a series, it’s off-limits for the rest of the series, promoting diversity in gameplay. While this has stirred some debate among fans and players—balancing between showcasing a variety of champions and allowing players to excel with their main picks—it's a perfect opportunity for teams to experiment early in the season.

Why is First Stand 2025 important?

At a glance, First Stand 2025 might seem like a casual pre-season event, but its implications are far-reaching. A strong showing here could set the tone for a team's performance throughout the year, akin to the butterfly effect.

Moreover, the stakes are high: the winner will secure their region’s second seed a direct entry into the group stage of the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Additionally, the two regions that perform best at MSI will earn an extra slot for the World Championship, making First Stand 2025 a pivotal event not just for individual team glory but for the future of their entire region.

What is the First Stand 2025 schedule?

Mark your calendars for daily action, with two matches scheduled each day except for the final (all times 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 fans have multiple avenues to catch the action, including a variety of co-streams. Head over to lolesports.com to find the viewing option that best suits your preferences.