League of Legends Introduces First Stand, the First International Event of 2025

In 2025, League of Legends is launching a new international esports event called First Stand, scheduled to take place from March 10th to 16th. This event will be hosted at LoL Park in Seoul, South Korea, and is the first of three international events planned for the 2025 League of Legends esports calendar.

Participating Teams

First Stand will feature the top teams from five international leagues:

• LCK (South Korea)
• LPL (China)
• LTA (Americas)
• LEC (EMEA)
• LCP (Pacific)

Each region will send its top team, determined by the winners of the LEC Winter, LTA Cross-Conference, LCK Cup, LPL Split 1, and LCP Split 1.

Format

Group Stage

The event begins with a best-of-three (Bo3) round-robin stage. Each team will play against every other team once. To ensure fairness, the side selection for the first game of each series will be randomly predetermined, guaranteeing each team has a side selection advantage in two series.

Knockout Stage

After the round-robin stage, the bottom-placed team will be eliminated. The remaining four teams will advance to a best-of-five (Bo5) knockout stage. This stage will feature a seeded single-elimination bracket.

Prize and Benefits

The winning team will be crowned the first-ever First Stand champion and will earn a significant advantage for their region. They will secure a second bye for their region at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2025, allowing the region’s second representative to advance directly to the MSI 2025 Bracket Stage.

Additional Insights

Impact on MSI 2025 Seeding

The results of First Stand will influence the seeding at MSI 2025, adding an extra layer of importance to this inaugural event. Teams will not only compete for the title but also for better positioning in the subsequent major tournament.

New Competitive Structure

The introduction of First Stand is part of a broader restructuring of the League of Legends esports calendar. The 2025 season includes three splits, each followed by an international event. This change aims to increase the competitive intensity and provide more opportunities for teams to shine on the global stage.

Fan Engagement

Hosting First Stand in Seoul, South Korea, at LoL Park is expected to draw significant attention from fans. The event’s format, with its round-robin and knockout stages, promises exciting matches and strategic depth, keeping fans engaged throughout.

Future Events

While First Stand 2025 is set in Seoul, future iterations of the event will take place in different locations. For example, First Stand 2026 will be held in Brazil, marking the first time since MSI 2017 that the country will host a major League of Legends international competition. In 2027, First Stand will move to Southeast Asia, further expanding the event’s global reach.

This new event marks a significant step in the evolution of League of Legends esports, offering more competitive opportunities and exciting matchups for fans around the world.