2025 GLOBAL FIRST STAND
The first-ever international tournament featuring the revolutionary Fearless Draft. Five regional champions clash in Seoul to define the season's meta and claim the first international trophy of 2025.
Tournament Background
The Global First Stand marks the official start of the international competitive calendar. Designed to break the monotony of standard drafts, this tournament introduces the "Fearless Draft" system to the global stage for the first time. It serves not only as a battleground for the top teams from LPL, LCK, LEC, LTA, and LCP but also as a showcase for innovation, forcing teams to dig deep into their champion pools and adapt on the fly.
Fearless Draft Explained
What is "Fearless Draft"?
In Fearless Draft, once a champion is picked by any team in a series, it cannot be picked again for the remainder of that series. This results in a rapidly shrinking champion pool and escalating strategic complexity.
Total Bans Accumulation (BO5)
Key Moments: Shockwaves
TES 0-2 KC
Opener UpsetLPL Champion's "Black Opener". As the region's top seed, losing to a European team in the opener was a huge upset, starting a difficult year for TES and LPL.
TES 0-2 CFO
Super UpsetThe first super upset of the year. Losing to two major wildcard regions in a row, this battle made LPL's #1 seed's international competitiveness questioned like never before.
Tournament Progression
Round Robin Stage
March 10 - 14
Single Round Robin (BO3). Top 4 advance to Knockout Stage.
Semifinals
March 15
Grand Finals
March 16
Teams





Prize Pool
Looking Ahead: 2026
The stakes are rising. Starting from the 2026 First Stand, the tournament champion will not only claim the trophy but also secure a direct qualification spot for MSI 2026, adding a massive strategic incentive to the season opener.