The 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a historic national club championship celebrating amateur and professional soccer across the United States, is set to kick off on March 18-20 with a lineup of 32 games for the First Round. The tournament, in its 110th edition, will run through to the much-anticipated Final on October 1, showcasing elite competition between amateurs and professionals in a unique format within U.S. team sports.
U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson emphasized the significance of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, calling it a vital platform that connects all levels of soccer in the country. The competition, first held in 1913, serves as a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of individuals supporting soccer within their communities. With U.S. Soccer committed to uplifting grassroots soccer, the tournament fosters cooperation among all members to further enhance the sport at every level nationwide.
In the upcoming edition, the 32 games of the First Round will feature exclusively amateur teams from the Open Division challenging professional sides, promising an array of exciting matchups. The previous year saw seven upsets by amateur powerhouses like Miami United FC, FORO SC of Texas, El Farolito, and the Des Moines Menace, who triumphed over professional teams, setting the stage for another thrilling chapter in the 2025 Open Cup.
The tournament will encompass a field of 64 professional clubs, including representatives from USL League One and MLS NEXT Pro. Notable teams such as the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, Indy Eleven, and Sacramento Republic, among others, will compete from the USL Championship and Major League Soccer (MLS), with former Open Cup Champions like Chicago Fire, D.C. United, and FC Dallas adding to the star-studded lineup.
Amateur teams from diverse leagues will also be in the mix, with representatives like the NY Pancyprian Freedoms, Soda City FC, El Farolito, and Tulsa Athletic bringing their unique flair to the competition. A total of 26 teams will make their Open Cup debut in 2025, reflecting the tournament’s continual growth and inclusivity across various soccer communities.
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup schedule for 2025 includes the First Round on March 18-20, followed by subsequent rounds leading up to the Final on October 1. As the premier club championship organized by U.S. Soccer, the tournament has a rich history dating back to 1914, making it the oldest national soccer competition in the United States and one of the world’s longest-standing national cup tournaments.
The 2025 Open Cup will feature a format where 32 amateur clubs from the Open Division will face off against 32 professional teams in the First Round. The competition aims to showcase the talent and passion within both amateur and professional realms of U.S. soccer, providing a platform for teams across the spectrum to compete at a national level.
Moreover, new additions and adjustments have been made to enhance the excitement and competitiveness of the tournament, including eight seeded teams split between the East and West divisions. This change ensures a fair and balanced playing field for teams entering the Third Round and Round of 32, maintaining the spirit of unpredictability that characterizes the Open Cup.
The winner of the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will not only claim the prestigious title but also receive a cash prize of $300,000 along with a spot in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions League. Runner-up and standout teams from lower divisions will also be rewarded, adding to the stakes and allure of the tournament.
With the defending champions, Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), setting the bar high in the previous edition, the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup promises to be a thrilling spectacle of soccer excellence, unifying players and fans alike in a celebration of the beautiful game across the nation.
2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Schedule
- First Round: March 18-20
- Second Round: April 1-2
- Third Round: April 15-16
- Round of 32: May 6-7
- Round of 16: May 20-21
- Quarterfinals: July 8-9
- Semifinal: Sept. 16-17
- Final: Oct. 1
Professional Division Teams Major League Soccer 16 teams (All 16 teams enter in the Round of 32) Teams marked with ^ seeded as hosts in Round of 32.
- Austin FC ^
- Charlotte FC
- Chicago Fire FC ^
- D.C. United ^
- FC Dallas ^
- Houston Dynamo FC
- Minnesota United
- Nashville SC ^
- New England Revolution
- New York City FC
- New York Red Bulls
- Orlando City
- Philadelphia Union ^
- Portland Timbers
- San Jose Earthquakes ^
- St. Louis CITY SC ^
USL Championship 24 teams (8 * teams enter in the First Round and 16 ** enter in the Third Round) Teams marked with + seeded to host in Third Round
- Birmingham Legion FC*
- Charleston Battery** +
- Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (2024 USLC Champion)** +
- Detroit City FC** +
- El Paso Locomotive*
- FC Tulsa*
- Hartford Athletic*
- Indy Eleven** +
- Las Vegas Lights FC** +
- Lexington SC*
- Loudoun United FC*
- Louisville City FC** +
- Miami FC*
- Monterey Bay FC*
- New Mexico United** +
- North Carolina FC**
- Oakland Roots SC**
- Orange County Soccer Club**
- Phoenix Rising FC**
- Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC**
- Rhode Island FC**
- Sacramento Republic FC** +
- San Antonio FC**
- Tampa Bay Rowdies**
USL League One 14 teams (Enter in the First Round)
- AV ALTA FC
- Charlotte Independence
- Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
- FC Naples
- Forward Madison FC
- Greenville Triumph SC
- One Knoxville SC
- Portland Hearts of Pine
- Richmond Kickers
- South Georgia Tormenta FC
- Spokane Velocity FC
- Texoma FC
- Union Omaha
- Westchester SC
MLS NEXT Pro 10 teams (Enter in the First Round)
- Carolina Core FC
- Chattanooga FC
- Columbus Crew 2
- FC Cincinnati 2
- LAFC 2
- Inter Miami CF II
- Real Monarchs
- Sporting KC 2
- Tacoma Defiance
- Ventura County FC
Amateur/Open Division Teams (All 32 teams enter in the First Round)
- NY Pancyprian Freedoms (EPSL / 2024 USASA National Amateur Cup Winner)
- Soda City FC (South Carolina / UPSL Spring Champion)
Open Division Qualifying Round Winners 14 teams – winners from the four Open Cup Qualifying Rounds / Fall 2024
- CD Faialense (Bay State Soccer League / Mass. / USASA)
- FORO SC (Texas / UPSL)
- Harbor City FC (Florida / UPSL)
- Harpos FC (Colorado Premier League / Colo. / USSSA)
- International San Francisco (San Francisco Soccer Football League / Calif. / USASA )
- Laguna United FC (California / UPSL)
- Miami United FC (Florida / UPSL)
- Tulsa Athletic (Oklahoma / UPSL)
- West Chester United SC (USL of Penn. / Pa. / USASA)
- Virginia Dream (Virginia Super Soccer League / Va. / USASA)
- Southern Indiana FC (Indiana / UPSL)
- NY Renegades (New York / UPSL)
- New Jersey Alliance (New Jersey / UPSL)
- Washington Athletic Club (Seattle Recreational Adult Team Soccer / Washington / USASA)
National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) 7 teams – based on 2024 league play
- Appalachian FC (North Carolina)
- Duluth FC (Minnesota)
- El Farolito (California)
- FC Arizona (Arizona)
- FC Motown (New Jersey)
- Naples United FC (Florida)
- New York Shockers (New York)
USL League Two 9 teams – based on 2024 league play
- Asheville City SC (North Carolina)
- Ballard FC (Washington)
- Corpus Christi FC (Texas)
- Des Moines Menace (Iowa)
- Flatirons FC (Colorado)
- Little Rock Rangers (Arkansas)
- Long Island Rough Riders (New York)
- Sarasota Paradise (Florida)
- Ventura County Fusion (California)
United’s Road in the Cup
What does all of this mean for New Mexico United? This means that they will be hosting their first match in the 2025 US Open Cup. While the opponent is not yet known, the club knows that it will take place on either April 15th or April 16th, 2025. That would be in the middle of an off week for the club, and the Isotopes are in town.
As a result, United would have to host the match away from The Lab, most likely in Rio Rancho again.
