U.S. Soccer announced the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup on Oct. 14, 2026, introducing a national women’s soccer tournament that will bring together teams from across the country. The single-elimination knockout competition will culminate in a championship final and crown a singular national champion. The competition launch date will be determined after consultation with key stakeholders.
The tournament, including the final, will offer a prize pool of more than $1.5 million and serve as a pathway to qualification for the Concacaf W Champions Cup. U.S. Soccer said the Crest Cup will connect teams and players from multiple levels of women’s soccer in the United States. The announcement was made in Atlanta.
A national platform for women’s soccer
U.S. Soccer said the Crest Cup is designed to address the lack of a shared competition for teams and players from different levels of the women’s game. The organization described it as the first tournament of its kind in the United States to bring together the best teams in an interconnected competition. Its single-elimination format will lead to a championship final.
The tournament is intended to strengthen the competitive ecosystem, incentivize player development and promote investment in women’s club soccer. It also will create opportunities for American players to showcase their skills in a high-stakes environment. The competition will carry forward shared values associated with U.S. Soccer and Arthur M. Blank, including integrity, community and stewardship.
U.S. Soccer outlines Crest Cup goals
U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said the competition will support investment and opportunity throughout the women’s game. “Women’s soccer continues to be one of the most dynamic and inspiring forces in sport,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. “The Crest Cup will create meaningful impact by bringing people together, attracting investment in the future of the game, and ensuring that excellence, inclusivity, and opportunity remain at the heart of women’s soccer in the United States.”
U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson said the event will extend beyond crowning a club champion. “Thanks to the support of Arthur M. Blank, the Crest Cup represents a defining moment for women’s soccer in this country,” said U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson. “This won’t be just about crowning a club champion, but delivering unforgettable moments for players and fans, and expanding the reach of women’s professional soccer into new communities.”
Arthur M. Blank supports expanded competition
Arthur M. Blank said the tournament will provide a new stage for clubs and athletes while expanding opportunities in women’s soccer. “Soccer has an extraordinary power to bring people together, and this competition represents an important step forward for the women’s game,” Blank said. “Creating a new stage for the best clubs and athletes in the country to compete at the highest level will expand opportunity, inspire the next generation and build on the tremendous momentum behind women’s soccer in the United States. My family, our Foundation, our associates and I are proud to continue to support U.S. Soccer’s commitment to elevating the game and creating a lasting impact for athletes, fans and communities for generations to come.”
U.S. Soccer has not announced the competition’s launch date. The organization said that date will be set after consultation with key stakeholders. The source announcement did not identify participating teams or provide a schedule beyond the single-elimination format and championship final.
FSB Take
The Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup gives U.S. Soccer a national structure for bringing women’s teams from multiple levels into one competition. Its more than $1.5 million prize pool and pathway to Concacaf W Champions Cup qualification give the tournament significance beyond the championship final. For Florida soccer supporters, the next verified developments to watch are the launch date and the teams selected for the national field; the announcement does not identify any participating Florida team.
Source: Original report