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 thrilling First Stand 2025. This article will delve into all the essential details of this eagerly awaited event.
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 event features the champions from five major regions: CTBC Flying Oyster from the LCP, Hanwha Life Esports from the LCK, Karmine Corp from the LEC, Team Liquid from the LTA, and Top Esports from the LPL. Riot Games has set a generous prize pool of $1 million, with a fair distribution where the champion takes home 30% of the total, and even the last-place team secures $130,000.
What is the format of First Stand 2025?
The tournament kicks off with a round-robin stage where each team competes in a Best of 3 (Bo3) match against every other team. The team with the poorest record is eliminated, while the remaining four advance to a single-elimination playoff, where matches are played to the first to win 3 games. Notably, all games will use the Fearless Draft system, prohibiting the reuse of a champion once picked in a series. This system, while introducing variety and excitement, has also sparked debate, as it might prevent players from showcasing their prowess on their signature champions. However, as the first international tournament of the season, it’s an excellent opportunity for teams to experiment.
Why is First Stand 2025 important?
Although First Stand 2025 might appear as a mere warm-up, its significance is profound. A strong showing here can set the tone for the rest of the season, influencing performance at the World Championships. The winner secures an automatic group stage slot for their region's second seed at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Moreover, the two best-performing regions at MSI earn an additional slot for Worlds, making this event crucial for regional competitiveness. Teams are not only competing for personal glory and the substantial prize pool but also for their region's future success.
What is the First Stand 2025 schedule?
The event spans from March 10 to March 16, with each day (except the final) hosting two matches 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 ensures fans have 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.
