The Long Wait Ends
After three seasons of exclusion, Major League Soccer is finally bringing all 27 U.S.-based teams back to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The league made the announcement on Wednesday, Sept. 2, ending a period where many clubs sat out the nation’s oldest soccer tournament. This move restores a tradition that connects fans from the lowest amateur levels to the top professional tiers. It is a win for the sport and a relief for supporters who missed the drama of cup runs.
The decision comes with a new calendar that shifts the bulk of the tournament to the fall. According to Yahoo Sports MLS, the round of 32 is set for Sept. 14-15, 2027, with the final taking place on Dec. 15. U.S. Soccer has also loosened roster rules, increasing matchday squads to 20 players to help manage player fatigue. These changes address the main complaints that kept teams away in the first place.
The The Lamar Hunt Hiatus
The previous boycott stemmed from serious concerns about how the games were run. Don Garber, the MLS commissioner, stated in May 2023 that the tournament represented “a very poor reflection on what it is that we’re trying to do with soccer at the highest level”. He cited issues with high school stadiums, patchy broadcasts, and inconsistent scheduling. Those problems were real, and ignoring them did not make them go away.
Now, U.S. Soccer has stepped up to fix the mess. The governing body has doubled the prize money since the last time MLS fully participated. They have also boosted broadcast quality and expanded access for viewers. Nelson Rodriguez, a longtime MLS executive, observed that “The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup connects all leagues, clubs and fans in a unique way”. It is hard to argue with that sentiment when the infrastructure is finally ready.
History and Future Stakes
MLS teams have dominated this competition for decades, winning the title every year since 2000. The return of all clubs means more chances to write new stories. “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,” Rodriguez said. This qualification spot is the real prize for clubs looking to compete on a bigger stage.
The path forward looks clear with 155 amateur clubs already entered for the 2027 edition. Qualification rounds for these teams will kick off on Sept. 12-13, 2026. The 2026 semifinals are already set for Sept. 16, featuring St. Louis City hosting the Colorado Rapids and the Columbus Crew hosting Orlando City.
