First Stand 2026 Group Stage: Bilibili Gaming defeat FEARX 3-2

The first international tournament of the year opened with a match between the Korean team FEARX and China's Bilibili Gaming. The match was played in a Best-of-5 format using the Fearless Draft system.

Game 1 Picks:

• FEARX: Ambessa, Vi, Taliyah, KaiSa, Neeko
• Bilibili Gaming: Jax, Jarvan IV, Ryze Varus, Alistar

Game 2 Picks:

• FEARX: Renekton, Naafiri, Annie, Jinx, Karma
• Bilibili Gaming: Sion, Pantheon, Aurora, Ezreal, Nami

Game 3 Picks:

• FEARX: KSante, Nocturne, Mel, Ashe, Seraphine
• Bilibili Gaming: Rumble, Wukong, Ahri, Zeri, Yumi

Game 4 Picks:

• FEARX: Gnar, Trundle, Galio, Yunara, Renata Glasc
• Bilibili Gaming: Yorik, Maokai, LeBlanc, Sivir, Lulu

Game 5 Picks:

• FEARX: Kenen, Lee Sin, Zoe, Jhin, Rakan
• Bilibili Gaming: Jayce, Poppy, Morgana, Caitlyn, Camille

On the first map, Bilibili Gaming managed to set the tempo from the very beginning with their active movements across the map. FEARX resisted, but the first ACE at the 15-minute mark essentially crushed all hopes for the opening game. At 20 minutes, FEARX tried to create some momentum and secure a kill, which they succeeded in doing. However, BLG responded with another ACE, secured Baron Nashor, and took the Infernal Drake. All of this led to a 10,000 gold lead for BLG by the 20th minute.

The second map began with BLG's pressure once again, but this time FEARX defended a bit better, preventing the lead from widening. Looking at the team drafts and the early game situation, it seemed as though Bilibili Gaming should have taken this map as well. However, everything was decided by a single fight where Jinx secured a Penta Kill. After that, FEARX never let their opponents back into the game.

The third map was simply overflowing with fights and highlights. Neither team allowed the other to pull ahead. However, on this map, FEARX demonstrated incredibly strong teamfighting. Despite the fact that this didn't grant them a massive gold lead, the final skirmishes with long respawn timers ended the map in favor of FEARX.

The fourth map was won by Bilibili Gaming almost from the first minutes. An excellent draft and great bans, which countered FEARX's ability to execute their composition properly, allowed BLG to apply pressure throughout the entire game. FEARX simply had no way to respond.

The final map of this match was incredibly entertaining. With fight after fight, the teams stayed neck and neck. However, in this encounter as well, BLG simply out-drafted FEARX. This allowed them to secure the mid-game and win the match 3:2.

Following this victory, Bilibili Gaming advances to the Upper Bracket Final, placing them just one match away from the playoffs. FEARX, meanwhile, drops to the Lower Bracket Semifinal, where they will have no room for error: a loss will mean elimination from the tournament.