Next week, all eyes in the League of Legends community will be on Seoul, where the champions of the Winter competition will clash in the highly anticipated First Stand 2025. This article dives into the essential details of the event, from the participating teams to where you can catch all the action.
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 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 set a prize pool of $1 million for the event, with a distribution that ensures even the last-place team walks away with $130,000. The champion will take home 30% of the total pool.
What is the format of First Stand 2025?
The tournament kicks off with a round-robin stage where all teams will face off in best-of-three (Bo3) matches. The team with the worst record will be eliminated, and the remaining four will advance to a single-elimination playoff, where matches are played first to three wins.
The Fearless Draft system will be in play, meaning once a champion is picked in a series, it cannot be used again. This unique format has sparked debate among fans and players. While it promotes variety, it can prevent players from showcasing their best performance on their signature champions. However, as the first international event of the season, it's an excellent opportunity for experimentation.
Why is First Stand 2025 important?
Although First Stand 2025 might appear as a friendly warm-up, its implications are significant. A strong performance here could have a butterfly effect, setting the stage for success at the World Championship.
The winner of First Stand 2025 will secure their region's second seed an automatic group stage slot at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Furthermore, the two best-performing regions at MSI will earn an additional slot for the World Championship, making this tournament crucial for regional strength. Teams are not only competing for their own success and Riot's prize money but also for the future of their entire region.
What is the First Stand 2025 schedule?
The tournament will feature two matches each day, except for the final, with 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 offers multiple ways to watch the tournament, including a variety of co-streamers. Head over to lolesports.com to find the best and most comfortable viewing option for you.
