Next week, the eyes of the League of Legends community will be on Seoul, South Korea, where the champions of the Winter competition will clash in the much-anticipated First Stand 2025. This event is set to showcase the prowess of top teams from around the globe, and we're here to give you all the essential details you need to know.
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, each bringing their unique style and strategy to the table:
- CTBC Flying Oyster (LCP)
- Hanwha Life Esports (LCK)
- Karmine Corp (LEC)
- Team Liquid (LTA)
- Top Esports (LPL)
Riot Games has set a prize pool of $1 million, with a balanced distribution: the winning team will claim 30% of the total, while even the team finishing last will secure $130,000.
What is the format of First Stand 2025?
The tournament kicks off with a round-robin stage, where each team will face off 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 single-elimination playoff, where matches are played as first to 3 wins.
A unique aspect of First Stand 2025 is the implementation of the Fearless Draft system. Once a champion is selected in a series, it cannot be used again, adding an exciting layer of strategy and variety. While this system is praised for bringing diversity to the game, it has also sparked debates as it may prevent players from using their preferred champions, especially in high-stakes games. Nonetheless, as the first international event of the season, it's an ideal setting for teams to experiment and adapt.
Why is First Stand 2025 important?
While First Stand 2025 might appear as a pre-season warm-up at first glance, its implications are far-reaching. A strong showing here can significantly influence a team's performance throughout the year, akin to the butterfly effect leading to success at the World Championship.
The winner of First Stand 2025 will secure their region's second seed an automatic slot in the group stage of the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Moreover, the two regions with the best performance at MSI will earn an additional slot for the World Championship, making this tournament crucial for not just the teams but their entire regions.
What is the First Stand 2025 schedule?
The schedule for First Stand 2025 is packed with action, with two matches scheduled each day except for the final day (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 ways to enjoy the competition. Head over to lolesports.com to find the most suitable viewing option for you, including official streams and a variety of co-streamers to enhance your viewing experience.
