CHICAGO (Aug. 24, 2022) — Tickets are sold out for the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final that will feature Orlando City SC hosting Sacramento Republic FC before a capacity crowd of 25,500 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Fla. on Wednesday, Sept. 7. Kickoff for U.S. Soccer’s National Championship is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
In a continuation of increased attendance for Open Cup matches during the 107th edition of the historic competition, the hosts received overwhelming demand from season ticket members, supporters and partners for the showcase event. A limited number of tickets currently reserved for team and operational purposes may become available closer to match day.
Fans in Orlando who are unable to be in the venue for the match are encouraged to watch the game live at one of four “City Pub” locations, which will host Open Cup Final watch parties. Fans are also invited to visit Mane Street Plaza, located just outside Exploria Stadium, ahead of the match for exciting pre-game festivities.
Fans in Sacramento will be able to attend a free watch party in Cesar Chavez Plaza that will feature a massive video wall showing the game broadcast. RSVP at SacRepublicFC.com/WatchParty for more information.
Earlier in the tournament, 11,940 supporters marched into Exploria Stadium to help set the all-time Open Cup total attendance record for the Quarterfinal round. This year’s mark of 55,382 across four games broke the previous Quarterfinal high of 46,098 set in 2019, and underscored the surge of interest in one of the country’s longest running sports competitions.
The burgeoning interest in the Open Cup is also highlighted by multiple sellouts throughout the tournament, including Sacramento Republic boasting capacity home crowds in the Round of 16 and Semifinals. Additionally, the Open Cup Goalcast on ESPN+ soccer show Futbol Americas, a whip-round program that featured hosts Sebastian Salazar and Herculez Gomez taking viewers through all the goals, highlights and drama of the Round of 32, drew universal praise from fans and industry veterans.
SRFC’s run to the Final has seen the Division II (USL Championship) team knock off three straight MLS sides in a bid to become the first lower-division club to win the Open Cup since 1999 when the Rochester Ragin’ Rhinos claimed the crown. Sacramento’s place in the Final is already a remarkable achievement in a competition that has been dominated in its later stages by MLS teams since the league began play in 1996. Sacramento Republic is the first non-MLS side to reach the Open Cup Final since the Charleston Battery did so in 2008.
Orlando City is also chasing history as a victory in the Final would capture a first trophy for the organization since it became a Division I club in 2015. The Lions also have the opportunity to become just the second-ever Florida team to win the Open Cup. In 1989, the St. Petersburg Kickers of the Florida Suncoast Soccer League, became the first team from the Sunshine State to claim an Open Cup title.
