2026 U.S. Open Cup qualification

Last updated

2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualification
Tournament details
CountryUnited States
DatesSeptember 13 – November 23, 2025
Teams145
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The 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualification served as local qualification for the 111th edition of the oldest soccer tournament in the United States. The tournament proper will feature both professional and amateur teams in the United States soccer league system.

Contents

Qualification for the 2026 tournament included local qualifying matches contested by 145 amateur teams, fighting for 16 local qualifying slots, and will take place in 2025. [1] United Premier Soccer League has the highest representation with 66 teams entering the tournament. Three teams have already qualified, West Chester United SC by winning the 2025 National Amateur Cup, Tennessee Tempo FC by winning the 2025 United Premier Soccer League Spring Championships, and the 2025 John Motta Trophy Winner El Farolito SC, the Open Division Prize Winner from the 2025 tournament. [2]

Qualification procedure

Clubs based in the United States that play in a league that is an organization member of U.S. Soccer are generally eligible to compete for the U.S. Open Cup, so long as their league includes at least four teams and has a schedule of at least 10 matches for each club. To be eligible, teams must be members in good standing of their leagues on December 31, 2025, and remain so through the 2026 final. Any team that started its first season of competition in an existing league must have started its new league's schedule no later 30 days prior to the Open Division Entry Deadline. [3]

Starting in 2019, the winner of the previous year's National Amateur Cup automatically qualifies for the U.S. Open Cup. [4] The cup winner enters the tournament proper in the first round with the other local qualifiers. Beginning in 2024, the United Premier Soccer League Spring Champion also earned a direct entry into the first round proper of the tournament. [5] Starting in 2025, the Open-Division team that performed the best in the previous tournament are awarded the John Motta Trophy and granted direct access into the tournament proper. [6] These three teams along with the 16 local qualifiers account for 19 of the 32 amateur teams that qualify for the tournament proper in 2025. The other 13 teams come from the National Premier Soccer League and USL League Two. Four teams from National Premier Soccer League and nine teams from USL League Two qualify through national league pathways, which use previous summer season standings to determine teams that qualify. [2]

Amateur qualification

National Amateur Cup

West Chester United SC defeated RWB Adria 4–3 in extra time, to win the 2025 National Amateur Cup and qualify for the 2026 U.S. Open Cup. [7]

United Premier Soccer League Spring Champions

Tennessee Tempo FC defeated LA10 FC 1–0, to win the 2025 UPSL Spring Championships and earning a direct qualification into the 2026 U.S. Open Cup. [8]

John Motta Trophy winner

El Farolito SC advanced the furthest in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup, earning both the $50,000 bonus and the John Motta Trophy. Based on their performance in the previous tournament, El Farolito qualifies directly into the 2026 U.S. Open Cup. [6]

Local qualifying

U.S. Soccer originally announced that 146 teams would participate in local qualifying. Four rounds of local qualifying matches will result in 16 clubs advancing to the tournament proper. The teams will be organized into 16 regional pools prior to the qualifying round draw. [9]

Schedule

Schedule for 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Qualifying [9] [1]
RoundMatch dayNew TeamsEntrantsTeams entered to date
First Qualifying RoundSeptember 13 & 14444444
Second Qualifying RoundOctober 11 & 1296118140
Third Qualifying RoundOctober 1 & 2564145
Fourth Qualifying RoundNovember 22 & 23032145

Number of teams by state and league

A total of 29 states and the District of Columbia are represented by clubs in the U.S. Open Cup Qualification this year. [2]

States NumberLeagueTeams
1Flag of Florida.svg Florida13 United Premier Soccer League America CFL Spurs, Badgers FC, Bold City SC, City Soccer FC, Deportivo Lake Mary FC, Emerald FC Orlando, FC Kanks, Florida Futbol Club, Harbor City FC, Miami United FC, Palm Beach Flames SC, Parkland Travel Soccer Club, Stetson FA
4Soccer Premier LeagueAtletico Miami Internacional FC, Boca Jrs Miami FC, Fort Myers City FC, River Miami FC
3United States Soccer LeagueHurricane FC, Miami Soccer Academy, O’Shea’s FC
1Florida Suncoast Soccer LeaguePinellas County United Pelicans SC
1 National Premier Soccer League FC Florida
1Premier Futbol League Red Force FC
2Flag of California.svg California12 United Premier Soccer League Apple Valley Storm, Ariana FC, Bay Area United FC, City SC San Diego, Eclipse Soccer Academy, FC Balboa, FC Folsom, Irvine FC, Laguna United FC, Rebels SC, San Diego Internacional, Valley 559 FC
4 San Francisco Soccer Football League International San Francisco, Norcal Shockwaves FC, SF Vikings SC, The Olympic Club
4 The League for Clubs Albion SC Silicon Valley, CF San Rafael, Napa Valley 1839 FC, San Ramon FC
1 National Premier Soccer League Real San Jose
1Southwest Premier LeagueDublin Celtic FC
3Flag of New York.svg New York6 American Premier Soccer League Central Park Rangers FC, Doxa SC, Lansdowne Yonkers FC, New York Greek American SC, New York Pancyprian-Freedoms, Zum Schneider FC
2 National Premier Soccer League American Soccer Club New York, Osner’s FC
2 United Premier Soccer League FCY New York, NY Renegades FC
1 The League for Clubs Metropolitan Oval Academy
4Flag of Texas.svg Texas4 United Premier Soccer League 210 FC, Foro SC, Sporting NTX, SVD Beaumont
2Dallas Soccer AllianceMaster Joga, StrikerZ DFW Soccer Club
2Metroplex Premier LeagueDallas Atletico, Denton Diablos FC
1Houston Football AssociationASC New Stars
5Flag of New Jersey.svg New Jersey3 America Premier Soccer League Oaklyn United FC, Real Central NJ Soccer, SC Vistula Garfield
3 United Premier Soccer League Bulldogs SC, Ironbound SCP, New Jersey Alliance FC
1Garden State Soccer League Scots-American Athletic Club
1 The League for Clubs FC Monmouth
6Flag of Maryland.svg Maryland2 America Premier Soccer League Christos FC, Patuxent FA
2 United Premier Soccer League MoCo 1776 FC, MSI Pro
1DC Premier LeagueOranje FC
1Maryland Super Soccer League Baltimore City F.C.
1 National Premier Soccer League DMV Elite FC
Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg Georgia5 United Premier Soccer League Atletico Buford FC, Kalonji Pro-Profile, Limeño Georgia, North Georgia United, Potros FC
1 America Premier Soccer League Majestic SC
1Atlanta District Amateur Soccer LeagueTerminus FC
Flag of Virginia.svg Virginia4 United Premier Soccer League Alexandria Reds, Arlington SA Pro, Doradus FC, Virginia Dream FC
2American Premier League Aegean Hawks, Yinz United
1 National Premier Soccer League Grove United F.C.
9Flag of Colorado.svg Colorado5Colorado Premier LeagueAzteca FC, Boulder United FC, Colorado Rovers, FC Denver, Harpos FC
1Mountain Premier LeaguePeak Eleven FC
Flag of Illinois.svg Illinois4 United Premier Soccer League Black Cat FC, Chicago Strikers, United SC, Wisloka Chicago
2 Midwest Premier League Chicago House AC, Edgewater Castle FC
Flag of Massachusetts.svg Massachusetts3Bay State Soccer LeagueAtletico Boston, CD Faialense, FC Omens
1 America Premier Soccer League Project Football
1 United Premier Soccer League Brockton FC United
1 USL League Two Western Mass Pioneers
Flag of Pennsylvania.svg Pennsylvania2United Soccer League of PennsylvaniaColonial SC, Vereinigung Erzgebirge
1 America Premier Soccer League Vidas United FC
1 National Premier Soccer League Philadelphia Ukrainians Nationals
1 United Premier Soccer League Capital City Islanders
1 USL League Two Steel City FC
13Flag of North Carolina.svg North Carolina2 United Premier Soccer League Briar United FC, Mint Hill FC
1 National Premier Soccer League Greenville United Football Club
Flag of Ohio.svg Ohio1North Coast Soccer LeagueCroatia Cleveland
1 National Premier Soccer League Cleveland SC
1 USL League Two Akron City FC
Flag of Washington.svg Washington1Seattle Recreational Adult Team SoccerSharktopus Football Club
1 United Premier Soccer League Bellevue Athletic FC
1 USL League Two Ballard FC
16Flag of Arizona.svg Arizona2 United Premier Soccer League Next Level Soccer, Olympians FC
Flag of Indiana.svg Indiana2 United Premier Soccer League Southern Indiana FC, Southern Indiana Guardians FC
Flag of Oklahoma.svg Oklahoma1 The League for Clubs Tulsa Athletic
1 United Premier Soccer League FC Bartlesville Buffaloes
19Flag of Washington, D.C.svg District of Columbia1DC Premier LeagueGuerrilla FC
Flag of Iowa.svg Iowa1 National Premier Soccer League Iowa Demon Hawks
Flag of Kansas.svg Kansas1The Select LeagueWoodland Football Club
Flag of Kentucky.svg Kentucky1 Ohio Valley Premier League Bootleggers AC
Flag of Michigan.svg Michigan1 United Premier Soccer League Detroit Metro FC
Flag of Mississippi.svg Mississippi1 United Premier Soccer League Eagles Sports Southaven F.C.
Flag of Missouri.svg Missouri1 Midwest Premier League BOHFS St. Louis
Flag of Nebraska.svg Nebraska1 United Premier Soccer League Omaha Street FC
Flag of New Hampshire.svg New Hampshire1 United Premier Soccer League FC Lonestar Gpse
Flag of New Mexico.svg New Mexico1 United Premier Soccer League USA Soccer
Flag of South Carolina.svg South Carolina1 United Premier Soccer League SCU Heat
Flag of Tennessee.svg Tennessee1 United Premier Soccer League Tennessee United Soccer Club
  • States without a team in the Open Cup Qualification: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.


First Qualifying Round

The first qualifying round matches are scheduled for September 13 & 14, 2025. 101 clubs will get First qualifying Round Byes. [1]

September 13, 2025 Black Cat FC (UPSL) Flag of Illinois.svg v Flag of Illinois.svg Edgewater Castle FC (MPL) Bensenville, Illinois
5:00 pm CDTStadium: Redmond Recreational Complex
September 13, 2025 Southern Indiana Guardians FC (UPSL) Flag of Indiana.svg v Flag of Indiana.svg Southern Indiana FC (UPSL) Jeffersonville, Indiana
7:00 pm EDTStadium: Woehrle Athletic Complex
September 13, 2025 Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (NPSL) Flag of Pennsylvania.svg v Flag of Pennsylvania.svg Colonial SC (USLPA) North Wales, Pennsylvania
7:30 pm EDTStadium: Ukrainian American Sports Center
September 13, 2025 Tulsa Athletic (TLC) Flag of Oklahoma.svg v Flag of Oklahoma.svg FC Bartlesville Buffaloes (UPSL) Tulsa, Oklahoma
7:00 pm CDTStadium: Athletic Community Field
September 13, 2025 Chicago Strikers (UPSL) Flag of Illinois.svg v Flag of Illinois.svg Wisloka Chicago (UPSL) Glen Ellyn, Illinois
7:30 pm CDTStadium: College of DuPage
September 13, 2025 Eclipse Soccer Academy (UPSL) Flag of California.svg v Flag of California.svg Albion SC Silicon Valley (UPSL) Santa Cruz, California
6:00 pm PDTStadium: Santa Cruz High School
September 13, 2025 Napa Valley 1839 FC (TLC) Flag of California.svg v Flag of California.svg SF Vikings SC (SFSFL) Napa, California
7:00 pm PDTStadium: Justin-Siena High School
September 14, 2025 Vidas United FC (APSL) Flag of Pennsylvania.svg v Flag of Pennsylvania.svg Vereinigung Erzgebirge (USLPA) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1:00 pm EDTStadium: John Bartram High School
September 14, 2025 Patuxent FA (APSL) Flag of Maryland.svg v Flag of Maryland.svg Christos FC (APSL) Upper Marlboro, Maryland
2:00 pm EDTStadium: Liberty Sports Park
September 14, 2025 The Olympic Club (SFSFL) Flag of California.svg v Flag of California.svg Norcal Shockwaves (SFSFL) San Francisco, California
2:00 pm PDTStadium: Negoesco Stadium
September 14, 2025 Boulder United FC (CPL) Flag of Colorado.svg v Flag of Colorado.svg Colorado Rovers S.C. (CPL) Broomfield, Colorado
3:00 pm MDTStadium: Broomfield Commons
September 14, 2025 Oranje FC (DCPL) Flag of Maryland.svg v Flag of Virginia.svg Doradus FC (UPSL) Washington, D.C.
6:00 pm EDTStadium: The Fields at RFK Campus - Field 3
September 14, 2025 Denton Diablos FC (MPL) Flag of Texas.svg v Flag of Texas.svg Sporting NTX (UPSL) Ft. Worth, Texas
5:15 pm CDTStadium: Alliance Park - Field 2
September 14, 2025 Foro SC (UPSL) Flag of Texas.svg v Flag of Texas.svg Dallas Atletico (MPL) Dallas, Texas
7:00 pm CDTStadium: Bishop Lynch High School
September 14, 2025 Aegean Hawks (APSL) Flag of Virginia.svg v Flag of Virginia.svg Arlington SA Pro (UPSL) McLean, Virginia
8:00 pm EDTStadium: Langley High School
September 14, 2025 DOXA SC (APSL) Flag of New York.svg v Flag of New Jersey.svg New Jersey Alliance FC (UPSL) New Rochelle, New York
8:00 pm EDTStadium: Flowers Park
September 14, 2025 NY Renegades FC (UPSL) Flag of New York.svg v Flag of New York.svg American Soccer Club New York (NPSL) Central Islip, New York
8:00 pm EDTStadium: SUSA Orlin & Cohen Sports Complex - Field 2
September 14, 2025 Peak Eleven FC (MPL) Flag of Colorado.svg v Flag of Colorado.svg FC Denver (CPL) Thornton, Colorado
6:00 pm MDTStadium: Pinnacle Athletic Complex
September 14, 2025 Terminus FC (ADASL) Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg v Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg Majestic SC (APSL) Dunwoody, Georgia
8:00 pm EDTStadium: Brook Run Soccer Fields
September 14, 2025 Yinz United (APSL) Flag of Virginia.svg v Flag of Maryland.svg MSI Pro (UPSL) Vienna, Virginia
8:00 pm EDTStadium: Oakton High School


References

  1. 1 2 3 "Schedule Confirmed For 22 Games Of The 2026 U.S. Open Cup First Qualifying Round". United States Soccer Federation. August 29, 2025. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Sillick, Jake (August 22, 2025). "2026 U.S. Open Cup Qualifying: 146 teams will enter qualifying tournament, smashing records". TheCup.us. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  3. ↑ "2025 U.S. Open Cup Entry Information". United States Soccer Federation. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  4. ↑ "First-Round Matchups: Of Open Cup Qualifying". FrontRowSoccer.com. August 29, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  5. ↑ Wolf, Liam (August 7, 2023). "AS Frenzi wins 2023 UPSL title, secures 2024 US Open Cup berth". TheCup.us. theCup.us. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  6. 1 2 Sillick, Jake (July 29, 2025). "2026 US Open Cup: Which Open Division teams will get direct entry in Round 1?". TheCup.us. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
  7. ↑ Battista, Michael (July 27, 2025). "2025 National Amateur Cup Final: West Chester United's late OT winner books spot in 2026 US Open Cup". TheCup.us. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  8. ↑ Padilla, Kathryne (August 11, 2025). "Dominic Oduro's late goal gives Tennessee Tempo UPSL spring title, spot in 2026 US Open Cup". TheCup.us. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Record-Shattering 146 Clubs to Particpate in Open Division Qualifying for 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup". United States Soccer Federation. August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
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