First Stand 2025 set for March in Seoul with new League of Legends features
The First Stand (FST) 2025, a premier global League of Legends tournament, will occur from March 10 to 16 in Seoul, South Korea. This event will gather elite teams worldwide and mark a huge moment in the esports scene. As the first major match of the year, FST 2025 is expected to ignite fierce rivalries and show clever strategies among the world’s best players.
Sponsored by Riot Games, First Stand will feature top teams from China, Korea, Europe, the US, and APAC. The victorious team will claim a notable prize and secure a favourable position for the upcoming Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) tournament.
Riot Games aims to create a thrilling atmosphere, encouraging teams to embrace creativity and bold tactics. The theme for FST 2025 is ‘Yours for the Taking,’ reflecting the event's competitive spirit. The event will also introduce updated graphics to improve fans' viewing experience.
FST 2025 will be held at the League of Legends Park Arena in Seoul. Located in the Jongno district, this area is rich in culture and history, further boosting the value of the match. South Korea strongly influences the League scene, with popular players like Faker and teams such as T1.
The tournament will consist of two main stages. The first is the ‘Round Robin,’ where teams compete in single-elimination best-of-three matches. The top four teams will then advance to the Knockout Stage, featuring a single-elimination best-of-five format.
Tournament dates and new features
As the event approaches, fans are eager to know when the action will unfold and what new features to expect. Here are the key dates to mark on the calendar:
- Round Robin Stage: March 10-14, 2025 (17:00 KST / 1:00 PDT / 9:00 CET)
- Knockout Stage: March 15, 2025 (13:00 KST / 21:00 PDT (March 14) / 5:00 CET)
- Knockout Stage Finals: March 16, 2025 (17:00 KST / 1:00 PDT / 9:00 CET)
- The final teams will be confirmed on March 2, 2025.
FST 2025 will also present a new drafting system called Fearless Draft. It allows teams to change their tactics during the tournament. Moreover, a new feature called Fearless Bans will carry over bans from previous games, adding more strategy to the matches.
Fans watching the tournament can earn special rewards. Meanwhile, players can receive unique items, such as 2025 Esports Capsules and in-game emotes, by tuning into official streams. For example, viewers can earn rewards for watching exciting moments like Baron Steals and Pentakills.
As the excitement builds for First Stand 2025, fans can expect thrilling matches and fierce teams. This tournament will highlight the best in League of Legends and set the tone for the esports year ahead.
