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 eagerly anticipated First Stand 2025. In this article, we'll delve into the crucial details of this exciting event, ensuring you're fully equipped with the information you need to follow 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 champions from the five major regions will be battling it out:
- 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, distributed fairly among the participants. The winning team will claim 30% of the total, while even the team finishing last will take home $130,000.
What is the format of First Stand 2025?
The tournament kicks off with a round-robin stage, where each team faces off against every other in a best-of-three (Bo3) match. The team with the poorest performance will be eliminated, leaving the top four to advance to a single-elimination playoff, with matches played to the first team to win three games.
All matches will utilize the Fearless Draft system, where once a champion is picked in a series, it cannot be reused. This innovative format has stirred some debate. While it introduces more variety to the gameplay, which fans appreciate, it also means players can't always rely on their signature champions, potentially impacting their performance. Nonetheless, as the first international event of the season, it's an excellent opportunity for experimentation.
Why is First Stand 2025 important?
Although it might appear to be just a friendly warm-up, First Stand 2025 holds significant implications. It's akin to the butterfly effect; a strong showing here could set the tone for the rest of the season, particularly at the World Championship.
The victor of First Stand 2025 will secure their region's second seed a direct entry into the group stage at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Furthermore, the top two performing regions at MSI will earn an additional slot for Worlds. Thus, teams are not only competing for their own glory and the prize money but also for the future success of their entire region.
What is the First Stand 2025 schedule?
The tournament will unfold over several days, with two matches scheduled each day except for the final day (all times are 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 tournament, including a variety of co-streamers. Head over to lolesports.com to find the viewing option that suits you best.
