LoL First Stand 2025: The Importance Explained

All next week, League of Legends enthusiasts will have their eyes set on Seoul, where the champions of the Winter competition will battle it out during the First Stand 2025. This article will guide you through every essential detail of the 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 five major regions will send their top teams to compete:

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

Riot Games has allocated a prize pool of $1 million, ensuring a fair distribution. The champion will receive 30% of the total, while even the last-place team will take home $130,000.

What is the Format of First Stand 2025?

The tournament begins with a round-robin stage featuring Bo3 matches between all teams. The team with the lowest record will be eliminated, leaving four teams to advance to a single-elimination playoff. Matches will be played in a best-of-three format.

All games will adhere to the Fearless Draft system, where once a champion is selected in a series, they cannot be used again. While this format offers variety, it also means players may struggle to showcase their signature champions. Given it’s the first international tournament of the season, this experimental approach is a great opportunity for teams to explore new strategies.

Why is First Stand 2025 Important?

At first glance, the tournament may appear as a casual warm-up, but its implications are significant. Success here could ripple into future competitions, such as the World Championship.

The winner of First Stand 2025 will secure their region’s second seed for an automatic group stage spot at the MSI. Moreover, the two strongest regions at MSI will earn an additional slot at Worlds, making this event pivotal for regional dominance. Teams aren’t just competing for the prize money—they’re fighting for their region’s future glory.

What is the First Stand 2025 Schedule?

Each day, except for the final, will feature two matches (all times in CET):

• March 10

  • 9:00 — Team Liquid vs. Karmine Corp
  • 12:00 — Hanwha Life Esports vs. Top Esports

• March 11

  • 9:00 — CTBC Flying Oyster vs. Karmine Corp
  • 12:00 — Team Liquid vs. Top Esports

• March 12

  • 9:00 — CTBC Flying Oyster vs. Hanwha Life Esports
  • 12:00 — Karmine Corp vs. Top Esports

• March 13

  • 9:00 — Team Liquid vs. CTBC Flying Oyster
  • 12:00 — Hanwha Life Esports vs. Karmine Corp

• March 14

  • 9:00 — CTBC Flying Oyster vs. Top Esports
  • 12:00 — Hanwha Life Esports vs. Team Liquid

• March 15

  • 9:00 — Semifinal Match 1
  • 12:00 — Semifinal Match 2

• March 16

  • 9:00 — Grand Final

Where to Watch First Stand 2025?

Riot Games offers multiple ways to catch the action, including live streams and co-streams. Head over to lolesports.com to find your preferred viewing option.