League of Legends First Stand 2026: teams, format, schedule and more

The 2026 international League of Legends esports season is kicking off with First Stand next week.

For many teams, the tournament offers an early chance to make a statement on the global stage while securing crucial advantages for their region ahead of MSI 2026 later this year. But for fans, keeping up with every major region ahead of international events can be hectic.

From the qualified teams and tournament format to schedules and how fans can watch the action live, here is everything to know about League of Legends First Stand 2026.

First Stand, now in its second year, will run from March 16th to March 22nd 2026, in São Paulo, Brazil. 

Matches will take place at the Riot Games Arena São Paulo, a venue regularly used for League of Legends’ regional competitions. As such, the location has recently been subject to criticism from fans due to its capacity.

The Group Stage will run for four days, followed by the Knockout Stage starting on March 21st. All game days will start at 2 pm GMT. The tournament will conclude with the Grand Final on March 22nd, also kicking off at 2 pm GMT.

Alongside the championship match, Riot Games is also hosting a Runeterra Fan Fest in São Paulo, where fans can watch the final together and participate in community activities related to Riot’s titles.

A total of eight teams will compete at First Stand 2026, with representatives from all major regions in the League of Legends esports ecosystem. Most teams qualified through winning regional winter competitions, sending early-season contenders to the year’s first international event. Due to the regions’ strength, China’s LPL and South Korea’s LCK have been given two seeds each. 

The final participant from China’s LPL is the only team yet to be revealed. While Bilibili Gaming has already secured a place at the tournament, the conclusion of the LPL will determine the remaining team and seeding. 

After the LPL Final concludes, Riot Games will host the official draw show to decide the First Stand Group Stage matchups.

 Europe, North America, Brazil and the APAC region are represented by one team each. 

Here are all the teams participating in First Stand 2026:

Among the contenders, Gen.G enters the event as one of the favourites. The team finished its LCK Cup regular season undefeated and dropped only two games during its playoff run before defeating BNK FearX 3–0 in the final. That dominant form, and past international success, make Gen.G the team to beat heading into the tournament.

Bilibili Gaming will also be a team to watch. The organisation has built a reputation for strong international performances in recent years, but has yet to secure a major global trophy. With another appearance at an international event confirmed, First Stand could present an opportunity for BLG to finally break that streak — but at the same time, none of the remaining teams should be overlooked. 

G2 Esports recovered from an inconsistent start to the season with a solid playoff run in the LEC.  In the LCS, LYON has reignited hope among NA fans wishing for a deeper international run than last year.

Also, don’t count out the so-called wildcard regions. Both CBLOL and the APAC league have shown major improvement in recent international competitions, pushing top teams much closer than many expected and occasionally pulling off major upsets.

First Stand 2026 is divided into two stages, beginning with a Group Phase followed by a Knockout Bracket. Every series throughout the tournament will be played as a best-of-five, creating longer matches that test teams’ adaptability and strategy.

The Group Stage takes place from March 16th to March 20th. During this phase, all eight teams compete to secure a place in the elimination bracket. Consistency and draft adaptation across multiple games will be key as teams aim to advance.

Following the group matches, the Knockout Stage begins on March 21st. The remaining teams will face off in a single elimination format, where every match carries high stakes. The tournament concludes with the grand final on March 22nd.

This section will be updated as groups are determined after the LPL Final on March 7th.

Fans can watch First Stand 2026 through Riot’s official broadcast channels in multiple languages.

Viewers who watch through the official LoL Esports website while logged in with their Riot account will have a chance to receive in-game Drops during the tournament. Rewards include cosmetics and special emotes tied to First Stand, including an exclusive Evelynn emote which will drop during the Final.

Riot Games has also confirmed that some co-streaming is enabled for the event. Selected creators and participating teams will be able to broadcast matches for their audiences, offering alternative commentary to official channels.

Although Riot has not detailed the full financial breakdown publicly, the tournament still carries meaningful competitive rewards. In addition to lifting the First Stand trophy, teams will earn advantages for their regions heading into the Mid-Season Invitational later in the year.

Riot Games is also introducing additional revenue opportunities during the event. A portion of sales from the Warhounds Senna skin and related cosmetic bundles will be shared with teams, contributing to the broader revenue Pool that supports Tier1 teams in LoL Esports.