The road to international glory starts once again as the world’s top teams clash at the League of Legends First Stand 2026. The tournament will feature top representatives from every major region. It sets the tone for the competitive season ahead, offering early bragging rights, crucial experience on the global stage, and a first look at how the meta this year is shaping up.
Winning League’s First Stand 2026 sends the winner’s region straight to MSI with two direct slots in the main event, skipping Play-Ins entirely. That reward dramatically raises the stakes, with global seeding implications decided months in advance. From the full schedule and results to updated standings, here’s everything you need to know about First Stand 2026.
First Stand 2026 teams
Unlike last year’s format, where each major region sent only its split champion, the structure has been adjusted for 2026. China and Korea are now allowed to send both finalists from the LCK Cup and LPL Split 1, adding extra firepower and increasing the level of competition. For the remaining regions, qualification remains unchanged, with a single representative earning the slot through winning the domestic title.
Here’s a breakdown of the qualified teams, divided region by region:
- Korea (LCK): Gen.G– Gen.G claimed the LCK Cup 2026 title, continuing their domestic dominance and entering First Stand as one of the tournament favorites. After falling short against the eventual First Stand 2025 champions during last year’s campaign, they return determined to convert regional success into international silverware.
- Korea (LCK): BNK FearX– BNK FearX secured their place by reaching the LCK Cup grand final, defying expectations throughout the bracket. Viewed as underdogs, their aggressive style and fearless approach make them a dangerous second seed from Korea.
- China (LPL): JD Gaming– China’s second seed punches its ticket by reaching the LPL Split 1 grand final, locking in an early berth before the title match even begins.
- China (LPL): Bilibili Gaming – Winner of LPL Split 1, they’ve defeated JD Gaming twice in the regional playoffs. They’ll look to carry their momentum in the tournament.
- Europe (LEC): G2 Esports– G2 qualified by winning the LEC Versus 2026, once again asserting themselves as Europe’s standard-bearer with confident drafting and explosive mid-game teamfights.
- North America (LCS): LYON– LYON earned their slot by lifting the LCS Split 1 trophy, navigating a competitive bracket, and showcasing improved coordination in high-pressure playoff series.
- APAC (LCP) Team Secret Whales– They booked their place by winning the LCP Split 1 finals, emerging as APAC’s top contender after CFO last year.
- Brazil (CBLOL) LOUD– LOUD secured Brazil’s lone berth by triumphing in the CBLOL Split 1 finals, continuing their domestic dominance and carrying the region’s hopes into international play.
None of the five teams from First Stand 2025 qualified for the main event this year, so fans will have a new champion.
First Stand 2026 format
The First Stand 2026 tournament runs from March 16 to 22 at the Riot Games Arena in São Paulo. The event consists of two stages, the Group Stage and the Knockout Stage. Every series will be played as a best-of-five, ensuring deeper adaptation and higher stakes.
Here is the schedule for FST 2026:
- Group Stage, March 16 to 20: 8 am CT
- Knockout Stage, March 21: 8 am CT
- Grand Finals, March 22: 8 am CT
Five days of group play will determine the bracket, followed by a single-elimination knockout and a grand final to crown the champion and decide which region secures two direct slots at MSI.
First Stand 2025 schedule, results, standings
In the FST Draw Show on March 7, former LPL legends Tian and Crisp took the stage to conduct the official draw for the tournament. The group stage matchups were determined through a randomized system where Pool 1 teams were drawn against Pool 3 teams, while Pool 2 teams faced other Pool 2 teams. The process also enforced regional separation, ensuring that no two teams from the same region were placed in the same group.
Group stages
March 16
8am CT: Bilibili Gaming 3-2 BNK FearX
12pm CT: G2 Esports 3-0 Team Secret Whales
March 17
8am CT: Gen.G 3-0 JD Gaming
12pm CT: LYON 3-2 LOUD
March 18
8am CT: Bilibili Gaming 3-0 G2 Esports
12pm CT: Team Secret Whales 0-3 BNK FearX
- Team Secret Whales is out of the event.
March 19
8am CT: Gen.G 3-0 LYON
12pm CT: JD Gaming 3-0 LOUD
- LOUD is out of the event.
March 20
8am CT: G2 Esports 3-0 BNK FearX
- BNK FearX is out of the event.
12pm CT: LYON 1-3 JD Gaming
Semifinals
8am CT: Gen.G 0-3 G2 Esports
12pm CT: Bilibili Gaming 3-0 JD Gaming
Grand Finals
8am CT: G2 Esports 1-3 Bilibili Gaming
How to get First Stand 2026 Twitch rewards
First Stand Finals Day on March 22 will also host the Runeterra Fan Fest at the Visual Farm Gymnasium in São Paulo. The immersive community celebration brings Demacia to Brazil, giving fans the chance to watch the FST Finals live while exploring gameplay stations for Teamfight Tactics, League of Legends, 2XKO, and Wild Rift.
Attendees can meet cosplayers, support local artists at the Artist’s Gallery, grab exclusive swag, and interact with members of the game development team. Entry is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fans can also support their favorite teams through the Warhound Senna skin initiative. From March 18 to April 15, a portion of the proceeds from Warhound Senna and its related bundles will be shared with LoL Esports teams. The skin will be available as a standalone purchase, a border set bundle, or a chroma bundle, with individual chromas offered separately.
For viewers tuning in online, Drops will be available throughout the tournament on LoLEsports.com for those logged in with a Riot ID. An exclusive Evelynn emote will drop during the Finals, alongside surprise rewards tied to select moments during the event.
Twitch subscribers to participating LoL Esports channels during First Stand will receive benefits, including ad-free viewing, exclusive chat emotes, subscriber badges, channel points, and access to subscriber-only chat. A portion of subscription revenue will contribute to the Global Revenue Pool, directly supporting leagues and teams across the LoL Esports ecosystem.
Starting March 9, fans who subscribe with a paid or gifted subscription on eligible LoL Esports Twitch channels can also earn the “And That’s It.” Yunara in-game emote by connecting their Twitch and Riot accounts and claiming the reward through their Twitch inventory. Prime subscriptions are not eligible for this reward.
How to watch First Stand 2026
You can catch the action live on Riot Games’ official Twitch and YouTube channels, and on the League of Legends Esports website. Co-streaming returns for FST 2026, giving fans more ways to experience the action through their favorite personalities and regional creators. Riot Games is expected to once again partner with select streamers across multiple languages and regions to broaden the tournament’s reach. The full roster of approved co-streamers will be revealed on March 11.
