First Stand is Riot’s global opener for League of Legends (LoL), designed to put the top teams on full display after regional play. Following a successful debut in Seoul, the tournament will return to São Paulo in 2026, featuring more teams, best-of-five matches, and Fearless Draft to shake up the Rift.

This guide explains what First Stand is, why Riot created the tournament, how it works, and its connection to the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) and World Championship (Worlds).

Why Riot Created First Stand

Riot built First Stand to kick off the international LoL Esports calendar with something more impactful than standard regional play. Instead of waiting until MSI, you get international storylines and cross-region play as soon as Split 1 ends.

Another key goal for First Stand is to showcase new strategies through Fearless Draft and provide regions with early seeding advantages for MSI. If a region wins the event, both of its MSI representatives begin deeper in the bracket, making every series feel tied to the bigger Worlds race.

What’s New In First Stand 2026?

First Stand 2026 is a clear upgrade over 2025. The event moves to São Paulo, Brazil, and runs from March 16–22, expanding the field from five to eight teams, giving more leagues a chance to reach the global stage.

This is also the first time since MSI 2017 that a Tier-1 international LoL Esports event has returned to Brazil. That alone adds a different kind of energy, with local CBLOL fans finally getting another global tournament at home.

First Stand 2026 Format Explained

Riot hasn’t fully detailed the First Stand 2026 bracket yet, but a few pieces are already set. All matches are planned as best-of-five series, and the event will once again feature Fearless Draft.

This means that any champion played in a series becomes unavailable for both teams in later games, forcing deeper champion pools and making each First Stand series look original.

How To Qualify For First Stand 2026

Qualification for First Stand 2026 is linked directly to Split 1 results. As mentioned earlier, the tournament now features eight teams, with some regions sending two representatives instead of one, based on their early-season regional standings.

You can break down the First Stand 2026 qualification paths like this:

Note: LCS and CBLOL will return as separate leagues following the conclusion of the LTA (League of the Americas), which means both regions again have their own routes to First Stand.

Why First Stand Matters For MSI 2026

At first glance, First Stand is all about starting the main regional splits with an early international trophy. In practice, it’s also about gaining a head start for MSI 2026, because the winning region’s teams can skip the opening phase and start directly in the main bracket stage.

First Stand 2026 Schedule And Location

First Stand 2026 is scheduled for March 16–22, 2026, making it the first international stop after Split 1 across all regions. It sits between the first and second domestic splits on Riot’s global calendar and will feature a full week of best-of-five series matches, with detailed daily match times to be announced closer to the event.

Riot picked São Paulo, Brazil, as the host city, bringing First Stand to South America for the first time. All matches will be played at the Riot Games Arena, a dedicated studio venue already tied into the CBLOL 2026 plans.

First Stand History and Past Winners

The inaugural First Stand ran from March 10–16, 2025, at LoL Park in Seoul, with five teams. Hanwha Life Esports won the first title, beating Karmine Corp 3–1 in the Final, with Zeka being named MVP. That win also pushed the LCK’s MSI representatives straight into the Bracket Stage.

Here’s an overview of all First Stand winners over the years:

Where To Watch First Stand 2026

First Stand 2026 will be broadcast across the official LoL Esports website. It’s recommended to sign in with your Riot ID, as it allows you to unlock event-specific drops as the action unfolds.

Besides that, you can also watch First Stand matches through Riot’s main channels and regional partners (coverage is available in 17 languages):

• Twitch
• YouTube

FAQs

When is First Stand 2026?

First Stand 2026 is scheduled for March 16–22, 2026, right after the first split of each major region finishes.

Where is First Stand 2026 played?

First Stand 2026 will take place in São Paulo, Brazil, at the Riot Games Arena.

How many teams play at First Stand 2026?

First Stand 2026 will feature eight teams: two from the LCK, two from the LPL, and one each from the LEC, LCS, CBLOL, and LCP.

Does First Stand affect MSI or Worlds slots?

No. First Stand doesn’t change how many MSI spots each region gets, but it can influence how teams are seeded and where they start in the MSI bracket.

Where can you watch First Stand 2026?

First Stand will be streamed on the official LoL Esports site, plus regional Twitch and YouTube channels, similar to MSI and Worlds coverage.

References

1. LoL Esports | SCHEDULE (LoL Esports)
2. Riot Games – Twitch (Twitch)
3. Riot Games – YouTube (YouTube)