2026 U.S. Open Cup Entry Information

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is an annual knockout competition that crowns U.S. Soccer’s National Champion. The tournament first crowned an annual champion at the end of the 1913-14 season.

The tournament is open to all affiliated amateur teams that meet basic eligibility requirements. Teams that advance from the Qualifying Rounds in the Fall will advance to the Tournament Proper in Spring 2026 where they will face professional teams.

Road Map for Teams Entering Qualifying Rounds

Each team considering entering the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds will encounter and should plan for the following tasks on their journey:

1. Confirm that your team meets the following eligibility requirements (Open Cup Policy Section 202):

1. Team is an outdoor soccer team based in the United States;
2. Club or league that Team is a member of is affiliated to an Organization Member of U.S. Soccer;
3. League that Team is a member of must consist of at least four (4) teams, with each playing at least ten (10) league games in the competition each calendar year;
4. Team must be in good standing with the league of which it is a member and remain in good standing with the same league through the competition year;
5. Any Team whose league is starting its first season of competition must have started its league schedule at least thirty (30) days prior to the Open Division entry deadline;
6. Any Team starting its first season of competition in an existing league must have started its new league’s schedule at least thirty (30) days prior to the Open Division entry deadline.

2. Meet the hosting requirements and commit to team responsibilities.

1. Identify at least one venue that meets minimum standards, including minimum field dimensions for qualifying rounds of 100 yards long by 65 yards wide.
2. Venue must have restroom facilities available to teams & spectators.
3. Venue must be available on one designated date for each Qualifying Round.
4. Review Venue & Team participation requirements in the 2026 Handbook:
   1. VENUE/TEAM REQUIREMENTS

1. Be prepared to build a roster of up to 25 players
   1. Roster submission deadline is August 25
   2. Please review roster requirements in this document:
      1. ROSTER & PLAYER ELIGIBILITY INSTRUCTIONS

How to Register

Refer to the registration instructions linked below. Entry & Payment Deadline is Monday August 4th, 2025.

Please gather all required entry information prior to completing the online entry form. The application must be completed in a single user session.

• REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

Entry Fees

Open Division Entry Fees for the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will remain the same as the previous edition:

• Entry Fee: $200
• Referee Fee: $300
• Performance Bond:$1,500*

*Returned after elimination provided all obligations are met.

Qualifying Round Deadlines

August 4th, 2025: Entry Deadline. All teams must register and declare a home venue.

August 25th, 2025: Deadline to Submit 25-Player Roster

Qualifying Round Windows*

- September 13-14
- October 11-12
- November 1-2
- November 22-23

*Any regions with eight or fewer teams may be scheduled to play on the first three dates OR last three dates listed above.