In 2027, Major League Soccer will return to the US Open Cup in full. All 27 United States-based teams will participate in the competition for the first time since 2023, multiple sources have confirmed to SixOneFive Soccer and Backheeled.
Ben Wright
Since the 2024 tournament, a limited number of MLS clubs have participated. The nine teams who did not qualify for Concacaf Champions Cup or Leagues Cup automatically participated, with the remaining seven clubs determined by their standings in the prior year's Supporters' Shield.
MLS is shifting their calendar to a European fall-to-spring model next year. The league will play a 14-match regular season followed by playoffs in the spring, before kicking off their first full season under the new format in late July. It remains to be seen how Leagues Cup will fit into the new calendar format.
Multiple sources confirm that MLS clubs will enter the tournament in July, with the final behind held in December.
Nashville SC have competed in the US Open Cup in all but two years of their existence, with the limited number of MLS teams participating and their playoff qualification the year prior excluding them from the tournament in 2024 and 2026. Nashville won the US Open Cup in 2025, their first trophy in club history.
UPDATED September 2, 2026, 7:18 am CT: On Wednesday morning, Major League Soccer officially confirmed the return of all 27 United States-based MLS clubs to the US Open Cup.
MLS clubs will enter the tournament in the Round of 64 in July 2027, ahead of the kickoff of the 2027-28 MLS season, the first in the new fall-to-spring calendar. The final will be held on December 15, before MLS pauses for the winter break.
Crucially, roster restrictions will be eased for the Open Cup. A primary complaint that lead to MLS's partial withdrawal from the tournament was fixture congestion and overloading players. In 2027, game day rosters are expanding from 18 to 20, and MLS clubs may field players from their first team, MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, and academy, giving them a much wider pool of players from which to choose.
“The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup connects all leagues, clubs and fans in a unique way,” said Nelson Rodriguez, MLS Executive Vice President of Sporting and Matchday. “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.”
Key dates
First Round: April 13-14 & 20-21, 2027
Round of 64: July 8-11, 2027
Round of 32: September 14-15, 2027
Round of 16: TBC
Quarterfinals: November 23-24, 2027
Semifinals: December 1, 2027
Final: December 15, 2027
