U.S. Soccer has confirmed the format for the 112th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which will include all 27 U.S.-based Major League Soccer clubs and allow players from 28 MLS NEXT Pro clubs to participate.
The 2027 tournament will feature a 96-team field made up of Division I, Division II and Division III professional clubs, along with 32 amateur Open Division teams. The competition will offer a $1 million purse and a place in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
The First Round is scheduled for April, with the tournament concluding with the Final on Dec. 15. The competition will be conducted on a single-game-knockout basis, and the dates remain subject to change.
MLS NEXT Pro participation
Players from 28 MLS NEXT Pro clubs will be able to participate through 25 MLS affiliates and three independent teams: Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC and CT United FC. The eligible independent team is also identified as Connecticut United FC in the tournament field information.
MLS NEXT Pro teams affiliated with Division I Major League Soccer clubs will not be independently eligible under the U.S. Open Cup’s one club, one entry rule. Their players may appear for their MLS Division I affiliate, subject to competition roster regulations.
Under the rule, professional clubs enter their highest-level professional team. Teams may roster any player from that club with no numerical cap on eligible players, while game-day rosters will expand from 18 to 20 players for the 2027 tournament.
Entry rounds and format
All 27 U.S.-based Major League Soccer clubs will enter in the Round of 64, along with five seeded USL Championship clubs. An additional 32 teams from the USL Championship, USL League One and MLS NEXT Pro will enter in the First Round.
The 32 professional teams entering in the First Round will face Open Division clubs. If the number of eligible Division II and Division III teams exceeds 32, qualification criteria based on 2026 results will be used to narrow the field.
First Round matchups will be announced in early 2027 and geographically matched with teams entering in the Round of 64. The first live draw will follow the Round of 64 and will reveal the Round of 32 and Round of 16 matchups and hosting scenarios.
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has crowned U.S. Soccer’s national club champion since 1914. The tournament is open to professional and amateur teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer.
2027 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup schedule
- First Round: April 13-14 and April 20-21, 2027
- Round of 64: July 8-11, 2027
- Round of 32: Sept. 14-15, 2027
- Round of 16: To be determined
- Quarterfinals: Nov. 23-24, 2027
- Semifinals: Dec. 1, 2027
- Final: Dec. 15, 2027
“The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is one of the most powerful platforms we have to showcase what makes American soccer special,” said Dan Helfrich, U.S. Soccer Chief Operating Officer. “When you bring various levels of the soccer community together, you create a connected, competitive environment that moves the sport forward and gives fans the drama of knockout soccer. Along with MLS, USL and all of the Member Organizations represented in the Open Division, the U.S. Open Cup reflects our shared commitment to strengthen the future of the game in this country.”
“The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup connects all leagues, clubs and fans in a unique way,” said Nelson Rodriguez, MLS Executive Vice President of Sporting and Matchday. “For MLS clubs, it is a chance to write a special chapter in the tournament’s history and earn qualification to the Concacaf Champions Cup.”
“The U.S. Open Cup gives clubs from every level of American soccer the opportunity to compete on the same stage, and that is what has always made this tournament special,” said Brett Luy, USL President of Competition & Administration. “We are excited about what the 2027 competition will bring for our clubs, supporters and communities, and we look forward to continuing to work with U.S. Soccer to make the Open Cup as strong and successful as it can be.”
Source: Original report