The third global LoL esports event was first mentioned in June as a response to the demands from the fans for another international competition.
However, while First Stand will deliver on that front, the new addition to the LoL esports calendar will be smaller than the Mid-Season Invitational and the World Championship.
Our third global event in 2025.
Say hello to First Stand. pic.twitter.com/lEV8hlH4c5
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) November 1, 2024
Designed to test innovations and reignite regional rivalries, First Stand will be an early-season event set to take place following the conclusion of Split 1.
Unlike other international LoL esports events, First Stand is billed as an opening international clash featuring teams from five regions, each sending one representative to South Korea.
First Stand will welcome just the regional champions of the first split – winners of the LCK Cup, LPL Split 1, LEC Winter 2025, LTA Cross-Conference, and LCP Split 1.
Every participating team will play each other at least once, and every series will be best-of.
The group stage will use a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to single-elimination playoffs.
Another significant change coming in 2025 and to First Stand is the introduction of the Fearless Draft, which will be implemented across all regions for Split 1.
With Fearless Draft, once a champion is selected, it cannot be picked again by either of the two teams for the remainder of the series.
The new format forces teams to be more strategic with their drafting, while players will have to expand their champion pool, adding a new layer of excitement in LoL esports.
The launch of the First Stand tournament marks a step towards making international events more accessible to minor regions, as both LTA and LCP are getting a guaranteed spot in the event.
LoL Esports ecosystem updates + unveiling the LCP and LTA leagues. pic.twitter.com/p1eLzr8C0y
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) November 1, 2024
However, the introduction of the new Americas and Asia-Pacific leagues already took the first step towards eliminating the major-minor LoL esports region divide which has been in place until now.
First Stand will take place from March 10-25 at LoL Park in Seoul, Korea.