LoL First Stand 2025: Importance Explained

Next week, the eyes of the League of Legends community will be set on Seoul, South Korea, where the champions of the Winter competition will clash in the exhilarating First Stand 2025 event. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into all the crucial aspects of this eagerly anticipated 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 lineup for First Stand 2025 features the champions from 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, distributed with a balanced approach: the victorious team will claim 30% of the total, while even the last-placed team will walk away with a respectable $130,000.

What is the format of First Stand 2025?

The tournament kicks off with a round-robin stage, where each team will engage in a Best of 3 (Bo3) match against every other team. The team with the lowest record will be eliminated, and the remaining four will advance to a thrilling single-elimination playoff, where matches are played first to 3 wins.

All matches will adhere to the Fearless Draft system, which prohibits the reuse of a champion once picked within a series. This format has sparked lively discussions among fans and players alike. While it brings diversity to the game, it also challenges players to adapt without their go-to champions. As the first international event of the season, it's a prime opportunity for strategic experimentation.

Why is First Stand 2025 important?

Though it might appear as a casual warm-up, the impact of First Stand 2025 could be far-reaching. A standout performance here can be a launching pad for success at the World Championships.

The winner of First Stand 2025 will secure their region’s second seed a direct entry into the group stage of the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Furthermore, the top two performing regions at MSI will earn an additional slot for the World Championships, making this event a critical battleground for regional supremacy. Teams are not just fighting for their own 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 feature two matches each day, except for the final day, with all times listed in Central European Time (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 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-streamers. Head over to lolesports.com to select your preferred viewing option and immerse yourself in the excitement of First Stand 2025.