ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Matrix Midwest) - U.S. Soccer has announced the format, schedule and clubs for the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The tournament will feature seven rounds, with 80 teams competing for a $1 million prize and a place in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.
2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Schedule:
- First Round: Tuesday, March 17 – Thursday, March 19
- Second Round: Tuesday, March 31 – Wednesday, April 1
- Round of 32: Tuesday, April 14 – Wednesday, April 15
- Round of 16: Tuesday, April 28 – Wednesday, April 29
- Quarterfinals: Tuesday, May 19 – Wednesday, May 20
- Semifinals: Tuesday, Sept. 15 - Wednesday, Sept. 16
- Final: Wednesday, October 21
Several changes have been made to this coming U.S. Open Cup, including:
- Seven total rounds, one fewer than past years. Due to this, the field of professional teams has been reduced from 64 to 48, with slots for each professional division allocated as evenly as possible.
- A one-club, one-entry rule applies to all divisions. A professional club must enter its highest-level professional team. For the Open Division, the National League qualifying track was eliminated, and all amateur teams are entered directly via U.S. Soccer.
- All numerical limits to the number of players that can be eligible for a competition roster have been removed across all divisions. All players from a club are eligible to participate, and players can be added up to one day prior to a match.
First and second round matchups will be announced in January. The first live draw will be held on Tuesday, April 2.
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The following MLS clubs have qualified and will enter in the Round of 32:
- Atlanta United
- Austin FC
- Charlotte FC
- Chicago Fire FC
- Colorado Rapids
- Columbus Crew
- D.C. United
- Houston Dynamo FC
- Minnesota United FC
- New England Revolution
- New York City FC
- Orlando City SC
- Red Bull New York
- San Jose Earthquakes
- St. Louis CITY SC
- Sporting Kansas City
This is the 111th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Last year, St. Louis CITY SC defeated Union Omaha 2-0 in the Round of 32. The club was later bounced from the tournament by Minnesota United in the Round of 16.
For more on St. Louis CITY SC, click here.
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