The highly anticipated League of Legends First Stand 2025 has officially commenced on March 10, 2025, showcasing the top teams from five major regions as they square off for the season's first international title. This tournament features elite squads from the LCK, LPL, LTA, LEC, and LCP, creating an exciting competition filled with suspense and high stakes.
Participancing teams include Hanwha Life Esports, Top Esports, Karmine Corp, Team Liquid, and CTBC Flying Oyster. The First Stand 2025 marks the inaugural cross-regional event for League of Legends, promising thrilling encounters as teams aim to establish their dominance early on.
On the opening day of the tournament, Team Liquid decisively overcame Karmine Corp with a 2-1 victory, marking their strong start. The match was held at the event's venue in Seoul, and the youth proves to be one of the emotional highlight of the opening day, featuring not only seasoned players but also fresh faces aiming to make their mark. The game was especially significant for Caliste and Vladi, representing Karmine Corp, as they experienced their first international match.
First Stand's matches are unique due to the Fearless Draft format, where champions used during the match become unavailable for subsequent games, adding strategic complexity to the competition. Throughout the series, both teams exhibited aggressive playstyles, showcasing their skills and strategies.
During the first match, Team Liquid quickly took the early control with strategic plays orchestrated by key players. After trading blows, they gained momentum, particularly through their bot lane led by Sean "Yeon" Sung and Jo "CoreJJ" Yong-in, who made pivotal contributions early on. Liquid's strong teamfight coordination and effective utilization of map objectives allowed them to secure the Baron Nashor as they solidified their lead at the 28th minute.
Despite their best efforts, Karmine Corp struggled to regain the upper hand. Although they managed to take five out of six dragons, their overall coordination fell short when it mattered most. Team Liquid's ability to capitalize on opportunities and exhibit discipline under pressure proved decisive.
Reacting to their Game 1 loss, Karmine Corp revamped their strategy, showing increased aggression. The second match saw them take the lead early on thanks to outplays from Canna and Yike, resulting in the team pushing up their gold advantage to 3k by the 15-minute mark. Their strong plays allowed them to press Team Liquid back, forcing them to defend and regain their balance.
Eventually, they claimed victory for the second game, tying the series. Canna emerged as the standout performer with solid lane management and impactful teamfight engagements, displaying the mettle needed for high-stakes competition.
Not to be outdone, Team Liquid responded rapidly to assert themselves again. Their teamwork culminated around the fifth dragon, where they executed flawless synergy during the decisive moment of the final game. Team Liquid outperformed Karmine Corp during this teamfight, leading to them sealing their fate with control over Baron Nashor afterward.
With this victory, Team Liquid not only secured the first match for themselves but also established their prowess early on, setting the tone for their remaining games during the tournament. Their experience as the oldest team participating has contributed to their strategic plays, leading them to the top of expectations going forward.
The Round Robin format of First Stand 2025 continues until March 14, where top-performing teams will have the opportunity to advance to the knockout stage. Viewers all over the globe can catch the excitement through official live broadcasts on Riot Games’ platforms, including Twitch and YouTube, ensuring fans stay plugged-in to all action as it happens. Spectators will also have exciting opportunities to earn exclusive drops during the event, enhancing the audience engagement surrounding this high-profile league.
With both momentum and stakes high, the League of Legends First Stand 2025 is undoubtedly shaping up to be thrilling for both players and fans alike. Teams will need to showcase their most innovative and effective strategies, and adapt quickly to the challenges posed by this newly introduced format as they vie for early-season supremacy and bragging rights.