First Stand 2026 is locked in, and if you’re wondering how the first international League of Legends event of the year works, who’s playing, and what you can earn by watching, here’s the full breakdown. The tournament runs from March 16 to March 22 in São Paulo, Brazil, bringing together eight teams from across the global LoL Esports ecosystem for a full week of best-of-five action.

This year’s edition expands on the inaugural 2025 event in South Korea, and Riot is clearly positioning it as the tone-setter for the entire competitive season.

What Is First Stand 2026?

According to Riot, the event is designed to spark regional rivalries early and give teams a chance to shape the global meta while it is still developing. Beyond the trophy, First Stand also influences regional seeding heading into the Mid-Season Invitational, adding real competitive stakes from day one.

The 2026 edition features eight teams in total, up from the previous format.

When And Where First Stand 2026 Is Happening

First Stand 2026 takes place at the Riot Games Arena in São Paulo, Brazil, from March 16 to March 22.

The schedule is as follows:

• Group Stage, March 16 to March 20
  6:00 PDT, 10:00 BRT, 22:00 KST

• Knockout Stage, March 21
  6:00 PDT, 10:00 BRT, 22:00 KST

• Knockout Stage Finals, March 22
  6:00 PDT, 10:00 BRT, 22:00 KST

An official Draw Show will be held following the LPL Finals on March 7, where group placements will be confirmed.

First Stand 2026 Format Explained

Group Stage

The eight teams are split into two groups of four. Each group plays through a double-elimination bracket. That means teams have a second life if they lose once, but two losses and they are out.

The top two teams from each group advance to the Knockout Stage.

Knockout Stage

The remaining four teams enter a single-elimination bracket. From here on, it is straightforward. Win and move forward. Lose and you are done. The final on March 22 crowns the First Stand Champion.

Riot’s official video breakdown also confirmed that Fearless Draft returns. Teams cannot repeat champions within a best-of-five series, forcing deeper champion pools and creative drafting. On top of that, side selection and draft order are now separated. Teams choose either side selection or first or second pick, and the opponent claims the remaining option. It adds another layer of strategy before the match even starts.

Which Teams Are Competing

Here are the confirmed teams and regions for First Stand 2026:

LCK

• Gen.G
• BNK FearX

LPL
Two teams to be confirmed, qualifying on March 4 and March 7

LEC

• G2 Esports

LCS

• LYON

LCP

• Team Secret Whales

CBLOL

• LOUD

The top teams from LCK, LPL, LEC, LCS, LCP and CBLOL are joined by the second seeds from both LCK and LPL, rounding out the eight-team field.

First Stand 2026 Drops And Twitch Rewards

If you are watching from home, Riot has confirmed that Drops will be active throughout the tournament on LoLEsports.com. Viewers must log in with their Riot ID for a chance to receive rewards.

An exclusive Evelynn emote will drop during the Finals, with additional surprise Drops teased from partners including the Esports World Cup and Secretlab during select moments.

Twitch subscribers to participating LoL Esports channels also receive perks including ad-free viewing, subscriber-only chat access, custom emotes, badges, and channel points. Riot confirmed that a portion of subscription revenue during First Stand will go to the Global Revenue Pool, which supports leagues and teams across the ecosystem.

There is also a limited-time in-game reward. Starting March 9, fans who subscribe with a paid or gifted sub on participating channels can claim the “And That’s It.” Yunara in-game emote, provided they connect their Twitch and Riot accounts and redeem it through their Twitch inventory. Prime subscriptions are not eligible.

Warhounds Senna Skin Revenue Share

From March 18 to April 15, Riot will share a portion of proceeds from Warhounds Senna and its related bundles with LoL Esports teams.

The skin can be purchased standalone, as part of a border set bundle, or within a chroma bundle, with individual chromas also available. It gives fans another way to financially support the competitive scene during the event window.

Runeterra Fan Fest On Finals Day

The event promises gameplay stations for Teamfight Tactics, League of Legends, 2XKO, and Wild Rift, alongside cosplay meetups, an Artist’s Gallery featuring local creators, swag distribution, and appearances from members of Riot’s development team. Tickets are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Co-Streaming And Global Coverage

Co-streaming returns for First Stand 2026, including on-site co-streaming with local talent present in São Paulo. All qualifying professional teams are invited to host official team co-streams during the tournament.

Riot is also bringing back the Co-Streamer Hub powered by Opera GX, acting as a central directory where viewers can filter by preferred language and discover official co-streaming channels. The full list of co-streamers will be revealed on March 11.

For third-party creators who are not officially invited to co-stream, Riot’s standard Content Creator Guidelines remain in effect.

With a fresh meta, Fearless Draft in play, and eight regions colliding before MSI even enters the conversation, First Stand 2026 is shaping up to be more than just a warm-up event. It is the first real test of the global pecking order for the year ahead.

The post First Stand 2026: Teams, Format, Schedule, Drops And Everything You Need To Know appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Arthur “tuyz” Andrade has confirmed he is officially exploring his options outside of FURIA, despite still being under contract with the Brazilian organisation.

While still being contracted with @FURIA, I’m allowed to explore my options and I’m looking for a new team!

Preferably Controller but I’m open to play any role.

Open to all VCT regions!

Can contact me through my DM or email tuyzgg@gmail.com!

🇧🇷
Embora ainda esteja em…

— FURIA tuyz (@tuyzvlr) September 27, 2025

The 22-year-old Valorant pro made the announcement on X, revealing he has permission to search for a new team. While tuyz says his preference is to continue as a Controller, he’s open to taking on any role and is considering offers from all VCT regions.

From LOUD to FURIA

Tuyz’s move comes less than a year after joining FURIA, where he played mainly as Omen and occasionally Brimstone. Before that, he was part of LOUD for more than two years, becoming a familiar face in the Brazilian Valorant scene.

At LOUD, his role shifted several times as the team reshaped its roster, and although his individual performances showed promise, results were mixed. His stint with FURIA was equally turbulent. After bowing out early at the EWC Qualifiers, the team went winless in Stage 2, finishing 0-5 and taking just one map across the split.

With his departure on the horizon, FURIA’s current lineup now consists of:

• Olavo “heat” Marcelo
• Luis “basic” Henrique Ferlin Tessaro
• Davi “Palla” Alcides
• Victor “Urango” Rodrigues
• Ian “shaW” Jardim (Head coach)
• Lucas “Kamino” Kamino (Assistant coach)

Teammates Show Support

Despite the tough run of form, tuyz’s teammates had nothing but praise for him. FURIA captain Saadhak posted on social media calling him “an amazing player and an even greater teammate,” while fellow FURIA member basic described him as “a person incrível” (an incredible person) and said he’d always be cheering for him.

Former teammate Peu also added, “Good luck tutu! One of the best and most dedicated teammates I’ve ever had.”

Community Reactions

Fans and the wider Valorant community have been quick to weigh in on the news. Over on Reddit, some pointed to his inconsistent year, with one commenter saying, “Legendary underperformance this year, I’m afraid he’s in ‘has to prove himself’ jail.” Others defended him, arguing that he was forced out of his comfort zone at LOUD and deserved a chance to reset.

Another user noted Brazil’s lack of strong Controller players, suggesting that “if he gets even 50% of his form back he is better than any tier 2 smokes player for Brazil by miles.”

There’s also speculation about how recent balance changes could play in his favour, with one fan pointing out that “with the Harbour buffs incoming, tuyz Harbour anyone? Surely his stocks are on the rise.”

While not everyone is convinced he’ll return to top form, the general sentiment leans supportive, with fans wishing him well and hoping he lands in a team that can make the most of his skillset.

What’s Next for tuyz?

For now, it’s unclear where tuyz might end up, but given his reputation and experience on the international stage, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him in contention for a spot on a VCT roster soon. With multiple regions open to him and Riot’s ecosystem set to undergo changes ahead of 2026, the timing may be right for a fresh start.

Whether he joins a rebuilding Brazilian side or takes a chance overseas, tuyz’s next move will be one to watch.

The post FURIA’s tuyz Allowed to Seek New Team Amid Struggles appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The second week of VCT Americas Stage 2 has concluded almost instantly, with every single match ending in a 2-0 sweep. Here are the result:

• 2Game Esports 0-2 G2 Esports
• FURIA 0-2 Sentinels
• 100 Thieves 2-0 KRÜ Esports
• NRG 2-0 LOUD
• Cloud9 2-0 Evil Geniuses
• MIBR 0-2 LEVIATÁN

North America is dominating in the second week, meanwhile Brazil’s representatives are stuck as their chances of playing in the playoffs grow slimmer. LOUD, 2Game Esports, MIBR, and Furia are now in the bottom four of the current standings.

Image credit: VCT Americas

The two Ascension teams squared up in a duel between 2Game Esports and G2 Esports to start the action. JonahP led the charge with a 1.44 rating and 38 kills as G2 won in less than 40 rounds.

2Game is fighting for a playoff spot and a chance to keep their VCT spot for 2026. If both teams make it to Champions and 2Game finishes higher than G2, they’ll keep their VCT slot. If not, only G2 will return next season, and 2Game may have to go through Ascension again.

Later that day, Sentinels swept FURIA 2-0, crushing them. After winning 13–4 on Sunset, they got off to a great start, then delivered the region’s second-ever 13-0 to close the series.

OUR FIRST 13-0 SINCE 2023! 📢📢📢 @Sentinels take the series 2-0!!! pic.twitter.com/ptLauYiDV8

— VALORANT Esports NA (@valesportsna) July 26, 2025

The North American teams in Group Omega performed admirably as well. With the acquisition of Kess, 100 Thieves defeated KRÜ Esports 2-0 and continued their winning streak. By sweeping LOUD, which included a flawless performance on Haven and a victory on Corrode, a map both teams were making their stage debuts on, NRG secured their first victory of the year.

As the only team in the group with a spotless record thus far, 100 Thieves now leads Group Omega after that victory. While NRG’s victory prevented LOUD from catching up to their regional competitors, the outcome also allowed them to overtake KRÜ in the overall rankings.

Both Cloud9 and LEVIATÁN concluded the week with 2-0 victories, Cloud9 defeating Evil Geniuses and LEVIATÁN defeating MIBR. Both teams achieved their first head-to-head victory of the season against their opponents. Cloud9 has taken the lead in Group Alpha, and LEVIATÁN has finally won their first series.

As for MIBR, the struggles continue. They haven’t won a series since Masters: Toronto, and their window to qualify for Champions is quickly shrinking, with several teams close behind them in the standings.

Stat-wise, LEVIATÁN’s in-game leader kiNgg was the standout performer of the week, with a 1.83 rating and 2.75 K/D.

Prime Kingg is back pic.twitter.com/cz5tudCXsn

— LEV Dedé 🇧🇷 (@LevialorantBR) July 28, 2025

Upcoming Matches – Week 3 Preview

• 2Game Esports vs FURIA
• LEVIATÁN vs NRG
• Sentinels vs Cloud9
• MIBR vs 100 Thieves
• G2 Esports vs Evil Geniuses
• LOUD vs KRÜ Esports

The post VCT 2025: Americas Stage 2 Week 2 Result. Brazil Struggles as North America Dominates appeared first on Shane the Gamer.