The 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the 111th edition of the U.S. Open Cup, the knockout domestic cup competition of American soccer, organized by the United States Soccer Federation. It involved 80 teams, including 48 from all three professional tiers of the United States soccer league system, and 32 in the "Open Division". The competition begins on March 17 and culminates in the final on October 21.
The full format was announced on January 27, 2025. U.S. Soccer changed several elements of the contest, such as reducing the number of rounds by one, altering the qualifying requirements to ensure the highest-level professional team enters the tournament, as well as removing the National League qualifying track. Participation is limited to teams that played a league season in 2025.
Of the 27 American clubs in Major League Soccer, 16 will participate, with teams that did not qualify for either the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup or 2026 Leagues Cup. Being the only Division 1 league, all eligible MLS teams will enter in the round of 32 (third round). Depending on Supporter's Shield standings, one half of the MLS first team entrants will host their first matches, while the rest will begin with an away game. Because of the rule changes, only two MLS Next Pro teams will appear in the competition (Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC). The USL Championship will send 17 of its teams, which includes all teams entered in the 2025 USL Championship Playoffs plus the next team outside of playoff consideration. These teams will enter the competition in the first round. USL League One will send their 13 eligible teams. Championship, League One, and Next Pro, along with the 32 Open Division teams, will enter in the first round.
A total of 34 states and D.C. were represented by clubs in the U.S. Open Cup this year.
8 teams made their Open Cup debuts in the 2026 tournament.
The first round of the tournament was drawn on January 27, 2026.
On February 23, 2026, South Georgia Tormenta FC went on hiatus and withdrew from the 2026 USL League One and U.S. Open Cup.
The draw for the first round, including match dates and times, was announced on January 27, 2026.
The draw for the second round, including match dates and times, was announced on March 20, 2026.
As part of the second year of a two-year deal with U.S. Soccer, CBS Sports will broadcast games on Paramount+, with select games on the CBS Sports Golazo Network and CBS Sports Network. All remaining games will be broadcast on U.S. Soccer's YouTube channel.
As of April 1, 2026