Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament Kicks Off Today; Increased Investment Leads to Record Purse of $1 Million
CHICAGO (March 18, 2025) – When the U.S. Soccer 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup kicks off with tonight’s opening First Round matches – all streaming live on U.S. Soccer’s YouTube channel – there will be more on the line than ever before.
As part of U.S. Soccer’s in service to soccer strategy, this increased investment from our members, partners and U.S Soccer continues with today’s announcement of a record $1 million purse for the 2025 competition, more than doubling last year’s figure of $475,000.
This year’s champion in the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the country will receive $600,000, while the runner-up prize will increase to $250,000.In addition, the highest finishers in Division II, Division III and the Open Division will all receive $50,000 as the teams that advance furthest from each of the lower divisions.
“This year’s increased purse shows U.S. Soccer’s commitment to continue to build enthusiasm and interest around the Open Cup as we head into the 110th playing of the tournament,” said David Wright, U.S. Soccer’s Chief Commercial Officer. “With teams beginning play this week, this year’s tournament is shaping up to be a thriller and U.S. Soccer celebrates all the clubs competing for the top prize.”
In addition to a record prize, the 2025 U.S. Open Cup winner will earn a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions League and have its name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy – one of the oldest nationally contested trophies in American team sports.
The 2025 Open Cup kicks off tonight with 11 First Round matches, highlighted by the renewal of a crosstown showdown between Tulsa Athletic and FC Tulsa at intimate Hicks Park. Wednesday’s 13-game docket includes ex-USMNT standouts Sacha Kljestan and Benny Feilhaber joining a slew of fellow former MLS stars for Des Moines Menace in their road tilt at Sporting KC II. A nine-game ledger led by the club debut of USL League One side Portland Hearts of Pine will close out the opening round on Thursday.
Fans across the country can watch all the First-Round action via the U.S. Open Cup playlist section at U.S. Soccer’s YouTube home, which will also house broadcasts for the 16 Second Round affairs April 1-2.
This year’s 96-team tournament celebrates elite amateur and pro soccer in communities across the country and culminates with the showpiece Final on October 1. The Open Cup is the only competition in USA-based team sports where amateurs have the chance to play professionals in direct competition.
About the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Now in its 110th edition, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has crowned U.S. Soccer’s national champion since 1914. The history-filled tournament is conducted on a single-game-knockout basis and is open to professional and amateur teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer. In 1999, the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the U.S. was renamed to honor American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt.
The 2025 U.S. Open Cup winner will earn a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions League and have its name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy – one of the oldest nationally contested trophies in American team sports – now on permanent display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas. The 2025 tournament features a total purse worth $1 million that includes a $600,000 award for the champion.
Los Angeles Football Club of MLS is the defending Champion. The 109th edition of the tournament concluded on September 25, 2024, with LAFC beating four-time Champions Sporting Kansas City 3-1 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles to become Open Cup Champions for the first time.
The official website of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is ussoccer.com/us-open-cup. Fans can also follow the competition on X/Twitter and Instagram @OpenCup and Facebook @OfficialOpenCup.
About the U.S. Soccer Federation
Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the official governing body of the sport in the United States. Our vision is clear; we exist in service to soccer. Our ambition, working across the soccer ecosystem, is to ignite a national passion for the game.We believe soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.We are focused in three areas: Soccer Everywhere, ensuring everyone, everywhere experiences the joy of soccer; Soccer Success, our 27 National Teams and pro leagues winning on the world stage; and Soccer Investment, maximizing and diversifying investments to sustainably grow the game at all levels.For more information, visit ussoccer.com/ourvision.