2024 U.S. Open Cup Entry Information

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is an annual knockout competition that crowns U.S. Soccer’s National Champion. The tournament first crowned an annual champion at the end of the 1913-14 season. All professional teams affiliated with U.S. Soccer are required to participate annually, and the tournament is open to all affiliated amateur teams that meet basic eligibility requirements.

The deadline to enter a team in the Qualifying Rounds of the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was Monday, July 31.

Road Map for Teams Entering Qualifying Rounds

Each team considering entering the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Qualifying Rounds will encounter and should plan for the following tasks on their journey:
1. Confirm that your team meets the following eligibility requirements;
2. Team is an outdoor soccer team based in the United States;
3. Club or league that Team is a member of is affiliated to an Organization Member of U.S. Soccer;
4. League that Team is a member of must consist of at least four (4) teams, with each playing at least ten (10) league games in the competition each calendar year;
5. Team must be in good standing with the league of which it is a member and remain in good standing with the same league through the competition year;
6. Any Team whose league is starting its first season of competition must have started its league schedule at least thirty (30) days prior to the Open Division entry deadline;
7. Any Team starting its first season of competition in an existing league must have started its new league’s schedule at least thirty (30) days prior to the Open Division entry deadline.
Identify at least one venue that meets minimum standards, including minimum field dimensions for qualifying rounds of 100 yards long by 65 yards wide and is available on at least one designated date for each round of local qualifying.
Complete and submit the three-part online entry form by the deadline.
1. Team Entry Form
2. Venue Information
3. Home Game Application Form (First, Second and Third Qualifying Round Games Only)
Submit payment via the online application.
1. $200 entry fee
2. $300 referee fee
3. $1,500 performance bond.
Teams may roster up to 25 players for the Qualifying Rounds. All players must be duly registered with your league and all international clearances must be confirmed (if required). A photo ID is required for all players for registration and match day check in. Teams should immediately working toward roster compliance as outlined in U.S. Soccer Policies and the U.S. Open Cup Handbook.

Please note that the above is a simplified overview of the entry process. Please refer to the 2024 U.S. Open Cup Open Division / Qualifying Rounds Edition Handbook for complete details and policies.