All next week, League of Legends fans will be focused on Seoul, where five champions of the Winter competition will face each other during the First Stand 2025. In this article, we’ll cover all the key details of the event.

Table of Content

• 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 in Seoul:

• CTBC Flying Oyster (LCP)
• Hanwha Life Esports (LCK)
• Karmine Corp (LEC)
• Team Liquid (LTA)
• Top Esports (LPL)

Riot Games has prepared a generous prize pool of $1 million, with a fairly even split: the champion will take home 30% of the total, while even the last-place team will walk away with $130,000.

What is the format of First Stand 2025?

The tournament kicks off with a round-robin stage, where all teams will play a Best of 3 (Bo3) match against each other. The team with the worst record will be eliminated, and the remaining four will advance to a single-elimination playoff, where matches are first to 3 wins.

All games will follow the innovative Fearless Draft system—once a champion is picked in a series, they cannot be used again. This format has sparked debate among fans and players alike. On one hand, it promotes variety and excitement, but on the other, it can prevent players from showcasing their best performance on their signature champions. Given that this is the first international tournament of the season, it’s an excellent opportunity for experimentation.

Why is First Stand 2025 important?

While First Stand 2025 might seem like a friendly warm-up at first glance, its impact could be monumental. Consider it the butterfly effect: a strong showing here could set 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). Additionally, the two best-performing regions at MSI will gain an extra slot for Worlds, making this event critical for regional strength. In essence, teams are competing not only for their own success and Riot’s prize money but also for their entire region’s future.

What is the First Stand 2025 schedule?

Each day, except for the final, will feature two matches (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 games, including a variety of co-streamers. Head over to lolesports.com and choose the viewing option that suits you best.