Next week, the eyes of the League of Legends community will be glued to Seoul, where the champions of the Winter competition will clash in the highly anticipated First Stand 2025. In this article, we'll delve into all the essential details of the 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 champions of the five major regions are set to compete:
- CTBC Flying Oyster (LCP)
- Hanwha Life Esports (LCK)
- Karmine Corp (LEC)
- Team Liquid (LTA)
- Top Esports (LPL)
Riot Games has announced a prize pool of $1 million, distributed fairly among the teams: the champion will claim 30% of the total, while even the last-place team will receive $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 all others. The team with the poorest record will be eliminated, and the remaining four will advance to a single-elimination playoff, where matches are played to the first to 3 wins.
All games will adhere to the Fearless Draft system, meaning a champion picked in a series cannot be used again. This format has stirred discussions among fans and players alike. While it introduces variety, it can prevent players from showcasing their skills on their signature champions. Nonetheless, being the first international event of the season, it's an ideal platform for experimentation.
Why is First Stand 2025 important?
While it might appear as a mere warm-up, First Stand 2025 holds significant implications. It's akin to the butterfly effect; a strong showing here could lay the groundwork for success at Worlds.
The winner of First Stand 2025 will secure their region's second seed an automatic slot in the group stage at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Moreover, the two top-performing regions at MSI will earn an additional slot for Worlds, making this event crucial for regional competitiveness. Teams are not just fighting for their own glory 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 per day, except for the final day, with all times listed in Central European Time (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 viewing options, including a variety of co-streamers. Head over to lolesports.com to find the most suitable and comfortable way to watch the action unfold.
