Chicago, Illinois – U.S. Soccer has announced the format for the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with 96 teams set to compete in 95 matches from March to September. This year’s tournament will see a significant change, with all 32 First Round matchups exclusively between amateur and professional teams, marking a historic shift from previous years. The increased number of amateur and professional team matchups highlights the growing competitiveness of the tournament.
To enhance the experience for teams and fans, U.S. Soccer has made its largest-ever investment in the tournament, attracting new commercial partners such as Marriott, Michelob Ultra, New York Life, and Nike. This investment includes increased financial incentives for participating teams, as well as enhanced travel reimbursement, demonstrating U.S. Soccer’s commitment to promoting the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, established in 1914, is U.S. Soccer’s Club Championship and is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the United States. The tournament, played on a single-game knockout basis, is open to all professional and amateur teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer, making it a prestigious event in the soccer community.
In the 2024 edition, the First Round will feature 32 games between 32 amateur clubs from the Open Division and 32 professional teams from Division III. Winners of the First Round will advance to the Second Round, where they will face off against each other. The tournament structure ensures exciting matchups from the outset, creating a thrilling competition for players and fans alike.
The road to the championship will see the winners of the Second Round matched up against 16 Division II professional teams from the USL Championship in the Third Round. Subsequent rounds will include the entry of eight USL Championship teams and eight MLS teams in the Round of 32, alongside winners from previous rounds, adding to the intensity and competition of the tournament.
U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson expressed gratitude to all members for their input in shaping the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup format. He emphasized the importance of tradition and the organization’s commitment to exploring ways to enhance future editions of the tournament, highlighting the collaborative effort to grow soccer across communities in the country.
The 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup schedule includes First Round matches from March 19 to 21, leading up to the Final on September 25. The tournament prize money, along with a coveted spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions League and a chance to have the team’s name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy, adds to the prestige and excitement surrounding the tournament.
As the anticipation builds for the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the soccer community eagerly awaits the start of the competition, with teams gearing up to showcase their skills and compete for the championship title.