Format Changes Announced for the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
What the new format means for Sacramento Republic FC
U.S. Soccer has unveiled the structure, calendar, and qualification criteria for the 111th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup — and the 2026 tournament represents the most significant format refresh in years. Designed to align with the crowded FIFA Men’s World Cup™ calendar while preserving the competition’s historic charm, the revamped cup will feature 80 teams battling for a $1 million prize and a coveted berth in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.
The tournament kicks off in mid-March and culminates with a nationally televised final on October 21. With CBS Sports returning as the multimedia rights partner, the 2026 Open Cup promises broad exposure, a compressed schedule, and—perhaps most importantly—a more streamlined path from amateurs to Major League Soccer’s elite.
A Slimmer, Seven-Round Format
To avoid clashing with the 2026 World Cup, the tournament has been reduced from eight rounds to seven. That single lost round creates ripple effects throughout the competition structure:
Key Changes
Reduced Professional Field:
The number of professional teams drops from 64 to 48, with slots allocated as evenly as possible across Divisions I, II, and III.
Qualification Based on 2025 Season Results:
U.S. Soccer confirmed that 2026 Open Cup eligibility will be determined by the final standings of the 2025 season, which has now concluded. Clubs that finished high enough in their division’s table have secured their place. Those that did not will miss out, as no additional play-in or qualification tournaments will be used.
One-Club, One-Entry Rule:
Every organization may only enter its highest-level professional team. This eliminates MLS NEXT Pro or USL League Two entries affiliated with pro clubs.
Roster Flexibility:
All numerical limits on roster size are gone. Clubs may choose from their entire registered player pool and can add players up to one day before a match (pending registration, loan, and eligibility rules).
Open Division Streamlined:
U.S. Soccer will directly enter amateur teams. The National League qualifying path is eliminated.
Round-by-Round Breakdown
First Round (March 17–19)
32 matches: amateurs vs. pros from Division II and Division III (17 D2 teams, 15 D3 teams).
Second Round (March 31–April 1)
The 32 First Round winners face off again; 16 advance.
Round of 32 (April 14–15)
The 16 winners meet the 16 MLS clubs entering the competition.
Eight MLS teams will be seeded as home teams, eight as away, based on qualifying criteria.
Round of 16 (April 28–29)
Winners advance toward the quarterfinal stage.
Quarterfinals (May 19–20)
The final matches before the summer break.
Semifinals (September 15–16)
A major scheduling shift: the semifinal round occurs months after the quarters due to the summer international calendar.
Final (October 21)
A fall championship night for the oldest tournament in American soccer.
Draw Process and Geographic Pairings
Draws will remain guided by geography, venue availability, and competitive balance. When logical geographic pairings aren’t possible, random selection will fill the gaps.
The first live draw will occur on April 2 for the Round of 32 — where MLS teams await.
What This Means for Republic FC
With the 2025 USL Championship season officially complete, Sacramento’s position in the final table now determines their eligibility for the 2026 U.S. Open Cup.
1. Qualification Is Already Decided
Republic FC’s qualification status is locked in based on their 2025 finish. Assuming Sacramento landed within the league’s qualifying cutoff — which is expected given the club’s historical consistency — they will participate in next year’s tournament. If they narrowly missed the cutoff, they will not have an alternative path in 2026.
2. An Earlier Entry and a Tougher Road
Republic FC will enter in the First Round, facing an amateur opponent or a Division III side. With fewer rounds overall, the margin for error is thin — an early slip ends the run before MLS teams even enter.
3. Roster Flexibility Helps a Deep Squad
Sacramento has historically relied on academy products and rotational players in early Open Cup rounds.
The removal of roster limits means:
Greater freedom to bring in academy standouts
The ability to integrate short-term additions
More options for managing minutes in the early stretch of the season
Given Sacramento’s strong youth pipeline and organizational depth, this rule change is to their advantage.
4. A Likely MLS Matchup — and With It, Big Stakes
Should Sacramento advance through the first two rounds, an MLS opponent awaits in the Round of 32. For a club with a long history of punching above its weight in this competition — from the 2022 Final run to countless upsets — this presents another opportunity to showcase their pedigree on a national stage.
5. A Chance to Reclaim Open Cup Relevance
With a smaller field and tightened schedule, the 2026 tournament may feel more focused and more competitive.
For Republic FC, a strong showing:
Reinforces their national standing
Aligns with the club’s ambitions during a transformative era for the USL
Continues their reputation as a knockout-tournament force
A Tournament Modernized, Without Losing Its Soul
The 2026 U.S. Open Cup marks a significant evolution — shrinking slightly in size, growing in clarity, and rebalancing its place within a crowded American soccer calendar. Yet the essence remains unchanged: amateurs dreaming big, professionals navigating knockout chaos, and the promise that any club, anywhere, can write itself into American soccer folklore.
And for Sacramento Republic FC, the mission is already set: build on their 2025 finish, prepare for a compressed early tournament path, and be ready when an MLS test arrives.
The road is shorter. The stakes are higher. The opportunity is still enormous
.