Martin Arévalo-Östberg

The first international stop of the new LoL Esports season is right around the corner! A total of eight teams from all over the world will head to Brazil to compete at First Stand 2026 starting March 16.  After exciting first splits across the board, which region will claim the first international trophy of the year? Let's take a look at the First Stand 2026 format, schedule, and list of teams to find out more.

G2 Esports rise to the top of the LEC once more. After a thrilling, back-and-forth Grand Finals against Karmine Corp, G2 not only managed to come away with the LEC Versus trophy in the end, but also secure their spot at First Stand 2026 in Brazil.

Though Gen.G had already qualified for First Stand 2026, they've now secured the LCK's first seed for themselves heading into Brazil; and what a way to do it. Gen.G put on a clinic the Grand Finals of the LCK Cup 2026, sweeping BNK FEARX to make it clear they are still the best team in the world.

The LCK has seen its first Cinderella story of the year. Against all odds, BNK FEARX (BFX) have become the second South Korean team to qualify for First Stand after putting on a magical run through the 2026 LCK Cup Playoffs.

The 2026 LEC Versus has delivered some exciting League of Legends action so far, but it's only going to get better. With only two matches left on the split, the trophy as well as a spot at First Stand remain up for grabs. To decide who will take on G2 Esports in the Grand Finals, we get one of the most fiery matchups in the LEC up first in the Lower Bracket Finals: Movistar KOI vs Karmine Corp.

Starting March 9, the 2026 EMEA Masters Winter tournament will see some of the brightest rising stars in Tier-2 League of Legends compete to make it to the top. This time, though, the stakes are higher than ever, with the best performing teams qualifying for the new Esports World Cup Qualifier, earning a chance to play on the biggest stage against some of the best teams from all over the world.