Video Games News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

First Stand 2026: Everything Exciting Detail We Know

Originally posted on Total Apex Entertainment
By Devin Morris | Last updated Mar 4, 2026 6:31 PM ET

First Stand 2026 is the first international event on the LoL Esports calendar. It is the second time the event will take place, following its inception last year. For the second edition, eight teams will participate. The 2025 edition had five teams, one from each region. For 2026, no teams from the original event will be in the tournament. The Riot Games Arena in Brazil will host all of the matches.

First Stand Format

The eight teams start the tournament in two groups of four teams. Each group is a GSL Style(double elimination, with the top two teams advancing to the playoffs stage. The playoffs are single elimination, with the winner earning an additional Bracket Stage spot at MSI later this year. Every match in the group and playoff stages is a best-of-five series utilizing Fearless Draft. First Stand will also use Right of First Selection, following its implementation in all regions.

A draw will take place on March 7th to determine the groups. The draw will see Pool 1 teams start against Pool 3 teams, and Pool 2 teams against each other. Teams from the same region can not be in the same group. The pools will be as follows:

Pool 1: LCK1, LPL1
Pool 2: CBLOL1, LCP1, LCS1, LEC1
Pool 3: LCK2, LPL2

Qualified Teams

Image of Gen.G’s First Stand Qualification, courtesy of LoL Esports

Eight teams will take part in First Stand. Seven of those teams have already booked their ticket. All regions will have at least one team, while the LCK and LPL will have two teams. They earned those spots due to their success in international competitions last year. Only one spot remains after Bilibili Gaming defeated JD Gaming in the Upper Bracket Final. One of JD Gaming, Anyone’s Legend, or Weibo Gaming will take the final LPL spot.

Gen.G Esports

Gen.G Esports booked their ticket to First Stand after defeating FearX in the Upper Bracket Final of the LCK Cup Playoffs. Gen.G went undefeated throughout the LCK Cup, losing two maps in total. They will be one of the favorites to lift the First Stand trophy.

FearX

At the start of the LCK Cup, no one expected FearX to be in this position. Many favored T1, Hanwha Life Esports, and Dplus KIA over them. However, they delivered performances above expectations to join Gen.G at First Stand. Their win against T1 in the Upper Bracket was the crowning moment for them.

Bilibili Gaming

Earlier today, Bilibili Gaming booked their ticket to First Stand. They narrowly beat JD Gaming in the Upper Bracket Final. Even though the series was 3-2, BLG had a chance to win all five of the matches. They threw away multiple leads in the latter stages. BLG has struggled to maintain dominance in the LPL.

G2 Esports

G2 Esports struggled in the Regular Season. They needed a win on the final day against Fnatic to qualify for the Playoffs. They were flawless in the Playoffs up until the Grand Final. After being 2-0 up against Karmine Corp, they needed a fifth game to win the LEC Versus.

LYON

Cloud9 had dominated the LCS Lock-in Tournament up until the Grand Final. Before that match, they dropped one map against FlyQuest in the Swiss Stage. LYON flipped the script yesterday by defeating C9 3-1. They have shown improvement steadily throughout the tournament, carried by Inspired.

Team Secret Whales

With CTBC Flying Oyster losing most of their roster and PSG Talon’s disbandment, a power vacuum existed in the LCP. Team Secret Whales, the other World Championship representative, stepped up. They lost one series throughout the first split. They defeated Deep Cross Gaming 3-0 in the Grand Final to book their ticket.

LOUD

LOUD had an okay start to the Regular Season. Finishing with a 3-4 record, they qualified for Round 1 of the Playoffs. Once they reached that stage, they became unstoppable. They won four consecutive series to win the CBLOL Cup and represent Brazil at First Stand in their home country.

First Stand Schedule

The first match will take place on March 16th. The Grand final is six days later on March 22nd. That leaves room for thirteen matches across six days. The group phase will occur from March 16th to 20th. That leaves the final two days for the knockout stage, with the Grand Final on March 22nd. The days begin at 6:00 AM PDT (3:00 PM CET).