MLS Commits All 27 US Clubs to Open Cup in 2027 After Years of Limited Play
Major League Soccer has confirmed that all 27 of its U.S.-based clubs will participate in the 2027 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, ending years of reduced involvement and controversy.
The short version
- Major League Soccer (MLS) officially announced on September 2, 2026, that all 27 of its U.S.-based clubs will compete in the 2027 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
- MLS clubs will enter the 2027 tournament in the Round of 64, scheduled for mid-July, and will receive hosting priority for their opening match.
- The 2027 tournament will feature a 96-team field, offer a $1 million purse, and grant the champion a berth in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
- U.S. Soccer is strictly enforcing a “one club, one entry” rule, barring MLS NEXT Pro affiliates of Division I MLS clubs from competing.
- This decision ends a period of limited MLS participation, which saw only eight teams in 2024 and 16 in 2025-2026, after a full slate competed in 2023.
Major League Soccer (MLS) is making a full return to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, the league officially confirmed that all 27 of its U.S.-based clubs will compete in the 2027 edition of the nation's longest-running soccer competition. This move marks a significant shift after years of scaled-back participation, addressing a contentious issue that drew criticism from fans and other leagues.
Why Did MLS Limit Participation Before?
The league's decision to limit its involvement in the Open Cup in recent years stemmed from several factors. MLS cited fixture congestion, particularly after the expanded Leagues Cup in 2023, as a primary reason for reducing participation. MLS Commissioner Don Garber even referred to the Open Cup as "a very poor reflection on what it is that we're trying to do with soccer at the highest level" in May 2023, highlighting concerns about game presentation and broadcast arrangements often found in smaller venues.
This led to a controversial period where MLS participation dwindled from a full slate in 2023 to just eight teams in 2024, alongside reserve squads from other clubs. For 2025 and 2026, only 16 of the 30 MLS teams were scheduled to participate, primarily those not qualifying for the Leagues Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup. This partial withdrawal sparked boycotts from some fan groups, who accused the league of prioritizing more lucrative competitions over the historic Open Cup. The U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) had previously denied MLS's proposal to send only its MLS Next Pro reserve teams, upholding its mandate that U.S.-based teams must participate in eligible competitions.
What are the Specifics of the 2027 Return?
The 2027 tournament promises a fully restored, expansive format. All 27 U.S.-based MLS clubs will enter the competition in the Round of 64, with matches scheduled for mid-July. Notably, MLS clubs will receive hosting priority for their opening match. However, any lower-division teams that advance past this stage will then have hosting priority for the Round of 32.
The tournament itself will be a 96-team field, encompassing Division I, II, and III professional leagues, plus 32 amateur clubs from the Open Division. The prize money will be a substantial $1 million purse, with the overall champion also earning a coveted berth in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Roster rules are also getting an update: game day rosters will expand from 18 to 20 players, and MLS clubs can select from any contracted first-team, MLS NEXT Pro, and academy players. A key point of contention has been resolved with U.S. Soccer strictly enforcing a "one club, one entry" principle, explicitly barring MLS NEXT Pro affiliates of Division I MLS clubs from competing. However, independent MLS NEXT Pro teams like Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC, and CT United FC remain eligible and will enter in the First Round.
Nelson Rodriguez, MLS Executive Vice President of Sporting and Matchday, underscored the significance, stating, "The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup connects all leagues, clubs and fans in a unique way. For MLS clubs, it's a chance to write a special chapter in the tournament's history and earn qualification to the Concacaf Champions Cup." The decision is viewed as a "massive win" for USL and amateur soccer in the United States, according to Brett Luy, USL President of Competition & Administration.
When Does This New Schedule Take Effect?
The full MLS participation in the 2027 U.S. Open Cup is timed to align with the league's transition to a new summer-to-spring competition calendar for the 2027-28 MLS regular season. The tournament final will now occur in December, with the final five rounds taking place after Labor Day. This calendar adjustment aims to integrate the Open Cup more smoothly into the broader U.S. soccer landscape.
Key dates for the 2027 tournament, though subject to change, include the First Round in mid-April, the Round of 64 (when MLS and seeded USL teams enter) from July 8-11, the Round of 32 on September 14-15, and the Semifinals on December 1, culminating in the Final on December 15. This long-awaited return ensures the nation's most historic soccer competition continues its tradition of uniting clubs across all levels of American soccer.
Frequently asked questions
When will MLS clubs begin their 2027 U.S. Open Cup journey?
MLS clubs are scheduled to enter the 2027 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the Round of 64, with matches slated for mid-July.
Which teams are eligible from the MLS NEXT Pro league?
Independent MLS NEXT Pro teams, such as Carolina Core FC, Chattanooga FC, and CT United FC, remain eligible for the U.S. Open Cup and will enter in the First Round. However, MLS NEXT Pro affiliates of Division I MLS clubs are entirely barred from the competition under the “one club, one entry” principle.
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