First Stand 2026 Qualifying Teams Revealed The second edition of Riot Games’ First Stand international tournament will take place from March 16 to 22 in São Paulo, Brazil. The event will feature eight teams, an increase from the five participants in the 2025 edition. The tournament structure includes a group stage modeled after the GSL format, followed by a single-elimination knockout stage. All matches will be played in best-of-five series. The winning region will receive a direct bye into the Bracket Stage of MSI 2026, bypassing the Play-In stage. The LCK and LPL will each send two representatives to the tournament, while the LEC, LCP, LCS, and CBLOL will contribute one team each. The LCK’s qualification process is already underway, with Gen.G securing their spot after defeating BNK FearX in the Upper Bracket Final. The second Korean team will be determined between Dplus KIA and BFX on February 28. For the LPL, the playoffs begin on February 24, with the grand final scheduled for March 8, just one week before the tournament starts. Unlike the LCK, the LPL’s grand final will determine seeding for First Stand rather than solely crowning the champion. The LEC, LCP, LCS, and CBLOL will each select their representatives through their respective grand finals on March 1. This means the final teams for these regions will be announced on that date. The qualified teams for First Stand include: 2nd Seed: BNK FEARX 2nd Seed: Bilibili Gaming (lowest seed possible) 1st Seed: G2 Esports 1st Seed: Team Secret Whales The tournament’s format and regional representation highlight the growing global reach of competitive gaming, with teams from diverse regions vying for a spot in the prestigious event. The structure ensures a mix of established powerhouses and emerging contenders, setting the stage for an exciting competition in Brazil.#first_stand_2026 #riot_games #sao_paulo #gsl_format #msi_2026
