The League of Legends First Stand 2026 tournament is starting on March 16, 2026, and will feature the eight most dominant teams from different regions. With additional participants this year, alongside a modified format, fans will have a better understanding of how the current meta works and which squads to look forward to for the rest of the season.
Here are all the details about League of Legends’ next big event, First Stand 2026, and its many more elements.
Note: Some tournament details are unknown and will be updated when available.
All qualified teams for League of Legends First Stand 2026
TeamTop laneJungleMid laneADCSupportHead coachGen.GKiinCanyonChovyRulerDuroRyuFEARXClearRaptorVicLaDiableKellinEdoG2 EsportsBrokenBladeSkewMondCapsHans SamaLabrovDylan FalcoLYONDhoklaInspiredSaintBerserkerIslesReignoverLOUDXynoYoungJaeEnvyBullRedBertRaiseSecret Whales Hiro02, PunHizto DireEddieBieWarHorseBLGBinXunknightViperONDaenyTBD
Unlike 2025’s total of five participating teams, LoL First Stand 2026 will have eight teams competing. That said, only the winners from regions like LEC, LCS, CBLOL, and LCP will join the event. In contrast, LCK and LPL will each send two teams: the winner and the runner-up.
Here are all of the qualified teams for First Stand 2026 (so far):
- LCK: Gen.G, FEARX
- LPL: Bilibili Gaming, TBD
- LEC: G2
- LCS: LYON
- CBLOL: LOUD
- LCP: Secret Whales
While most participating teams are known, the second LPL team will be revealed on March 7, as the regional split is still ongoing. The draw show for First Stand will also occur on that day.
Note: There will be no First Stand 2025 teams at this year’s event.
League of Legends First Stand 2026: Schedule and format
Match dates and time
Like last year, this tournament is pretty short compared to other international LoL events. That makes sense, since there are fewer teams than at MSI or Worlds, and the format is simpler too.
With First Stand 2026 taking place at Riot Games Arena in São Paulo, Brazil, here is the overall schedule:
Group Stage
- Date: March 16 to March 20
- Time: 6 am PDT/10 am BRT/3 pm CET/7:30 pm IST/10 pm KST
Semifinals
- Date: March 21
- Time: 6 am PDT/10 am BRT/3 pm CET/7:30 pm IST/10 pm KST
Grand Final
- Date: March 22
- Time: 6 am PDT/10 am BRT/3 pm CET/7:30 pm IST/10 pm KST
Format details
The tournament will start with eight teams, split into two groups of four. Subsequently, they will play a best-of-five series in a double-elimination format. Then, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the single-elimination playoffs.
Other than that, every series will feature the Fearless Draft format and the 2026 LCK-style side selection. The latter suggests that:
- Side selection and draft order are not linked.
- One team will choose which side to play (red or blue) or the pick order (first or second pick during the draft). Afterwards, the opponent will make the other selection.
Importantly, the tournament will be played using LoL patch 26.05, which is scheduled to release on March 4.
All broadcast talent at LoL First Stand 2026
Here’s a list of all English broadcast talent that will appear during the First Stand 2026 live stream:
- Max “Atlus” Anderson (Australia): Caster
- Dan “Aux” Harrison (UK): Analyst
- Isaac “Azael” Cummings-Bentley (Canada): Color Caster and Analyst
- Clayton “CaptainFlowers” Raines (US): Play-by-play Caster
- Emily Rand (US): Analyst
- Joshua “Jatt” Leesman (Canada): Color Caster and Analyst
- Sam “Kobe” Hartman-Kenzler (US): Color Caster and Analyst
- Laure “Bulii” Valée (France): Desk Host & Interview
- Aaron “Medic” Chamberlain (UK): Play-by-Play Caster
- Barento “Raz” Mohammed (Canada): Color Caster and Analyst
- Andrew “Vedius” Day (UK): Color Caster and Analyst
All Twitch rewards during First Stand 2026
First Stand 2026 Twitch rewards (Image via Riot Games)
All Twitch subscribers to participating LoL Esports channels during First Stand 2026 will receive these rewards.
- Ad-free viewing
- First Stand 2026 Twitch chat emotes
- Twitch Channel badges
- Channel points
- Subscriber-only chat
Importantly, Riot Games is allocating part of this revenue to a fund that supports regional leagues and teams. Some of the revenue earned from the Warhound Senna skin and its related bundles will support the teams. This skin will release on March 18.
Check out more League of Legends news and updates below:
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Edited by Debayan Saha
