Amateur soccer reaches new heights as teams from 28 leagues across 29 states prepare for knockout qualifying rounds beginning in September

ATLANTA – The 2026 U.S. Open Cup qualifying rounds will feature a record-shattering 146 amateur and semi-professional clubs, obliterating last year’s previous high of 114 teams and setting the stage for the most competitive grassroots soccer tournament in American history.

The massive field, representing 28 U.S. Soccer-sanctioned leagues from 29 states and Washington D.C., will compete across four weekend windows from September through November for just 16 coveted spots in the 2026 Tournament Proper – marking the 111th edition of America’s oldest national soccer competition.

Unprecedented Growth Signals Amateur Soccer Boom

The 28% increase in participating clubs reflects the explosive growth of amateur soccer across the United States. Florida leads the charge with 23 teams, followed by California’s 22 representatives and New York’s 11 hopefuls. On the opposite end, 11 states plus D.C. will pin their hopes on single representatives, creating David vs. Goliath narratives throughout the qualifying campaign.

“This record participation demonstrates the incredible depth and passion for soccer at the grassroots level,” said a U.S. Soccer spokesperson. “These clubs represent the heart and soul of American soccer, and their journey to the Open Cup proper embodies everything this tournament stands for.”

UPSL Dominance and Historic Heavyweights

The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) flexes its organizational muscle with a commanding 66 participants – nearly half the entire field. The American Premier Soccer League (APSL) contributes 14 teams, while the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) adds 10 clubs to the mix.

Among the notable participants are soccer royalty: four-time champions Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals (1960, 1961, 1963, 1966) and three-time winners New York Pancyprian Freedoms (1980, 1982, 1983). These historic clubs bring decades of Open Cup pedigree to a field hungry for their own moment of glory.

2025 Giant-Killers Return for Another Shot

Several teams that captured America’s imagination during the 2025 tournament proper return with unfinished business. FORO SC and Virginia Dream FC, both of whom stunned professional sides in first-round upsets last March, headline the returnees looking to recreate their magic.

Tournament darlings Ballard FC, Chicago House AC, Tulsa Athletic, and the legendary Western Mass Pioneers – a club with deep Open Cup roots dating back decades – add star power to an already loaded field.

Qualifying Format and Key Dates

The 146 clubs will be divided into 16 regional pools, with draws and schedules expected to be announced next week on usopencup.com. Teams will battle across four crucial weekends:

• September 13-14, 2025 – First qualifying window
• October 11-12, 2025 – Second qualifying window
• November 1-2, 2025 – Third qualifying window
• November 22-23, 2025 – Final qualifying window

Most teams will begin their journey on one of the first two dates, depending on regional pool size and the number of rounds required to reach the final 16.

Tactical Analysis: What to Expect

The single-elimination format creates an environment where tactical discipline and mental fortitude often trump pure talent. Expect to see:

Defensive Pragmatism: Lower-division clubs typically employ compact, organized defensive structures designed to frustrate higher-seeded opponents and create chances through set pieces and counter-attacks.

Home Field Advantage: Regional qualifying often means familiar surroundings for local clubs, providing crucial psychological and logistical advantages that can level the playing field.

Squad Depth Challenges: Unlike professional clubs, amateur sides lack deep benches, making injury management and fixture congestion critical factors in multi-round campaigns.

Momentum Building: Teams that advance through multiple rounds often develop dangerous confidence and chemistry that can carry them deep into the tournament proper.

Regional Powerhouses and Dark Horses

Northeast Contenders: The New York-New Jersey corridor brings serious firepower with Pancyprian Freedoms, Central Park Rangers FC, and SC Vistula Garfield leading a talented contingent.

Southern Surge: Florida’s 23-team delegation includes intriguing sides like FC Kanks, Harbor City FC, and Emerald FC Orlando, while Georgia contributes rising programs like Terminus FC and Atletico Buford FC.

West Coast Warriors: California’s 22 representatives span from San Diego Internacional in the south to International San Francisco in the north, creating compelling regional rivalries.

Midwest Wild Cards: Chicago House AC returns with a championship pedigree, while dark horses like Edgewater Castle FC and BOHFS St. Louis could surprise.

Path to Glory: Tournament Structure Analysis

The expanded 16 qualifying spots (up from 14 in 2025) provide more opportunities but intensify competition. Three automatic bids have already been awarded:

• West Chester SC (2025 USASA National Amateur Cup Champion)
• Tennessee Tempo FC (2025 UPSL Spring Champion)
• El Farolito (2025 John Motta Trophy Winner)

The remaining 13 spots will be allocated to National Leagues (NPSL and USL League Two) based on 2026 membership numbers, creating additional pathways for ambitious clubs.

Stakes and Rewards

Beyond the glory of reaching the tournament proper, qualifying teams earn the right to face MLS and USL Championship sides in early rounds. The 2025 tournament featured a $1 million total purse, with $600,000 going to eventual champions LAFC.

More importantly, the Open Cup provides a direct pathway to international competition, with the winner earning a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup – potentially facing Liga MX giants and other continental powers.

Historical Context and Future Impact

Since its 1914 inception, the Open Cup has served as American soccer’s great equalizer. Amateur clubs have regularly stunned professional sides, creating moments that define careers and inspire communities.

The record 146-team field suggests amateur soccer’s infrastructure has never been stronger. Youth development programs, improved coaching education, and increased investment at the grassroots level are producing more competitive clubs than ever before.

What’s Next

Regional draws and detailed schedules will be announced next week, providing the roadmap for what promises to be the most competitive Open Cup qualifying campaign in history. With nearly 150 clubs chasing 16 spots, every match becomes a cup final.

The 2026 qualifying rounds represent more than just a tournament – they’re a celebration of American soccer’s diversity, passion, and unwavering belief that on any given day, any team can write its name in history.

Key Qualifying Dates:

• Regional Draws: Expected next week
• First Round: September 13-14, 2025
• Tournament Proper: Spring 2026
• Final: Fall 2026

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Related Articles:

• Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: Amateur Qualifying Details Announced
• Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: Loons Extinguish Fire Advancing to Semifinals
• Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup: Open Division Lots Starting to Fill In

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