On the Pitch
On the Pitch
Open Cup
On the Pitch
Meet the 16 Open Division Clubs That Automatically Qualified for the 2027 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Champions from the country’s top amateur leagues and competitions have already secured their spot in next year’s Tournament Proper
Champions from the country’s top amateur leagues and competitions—the Hank Steinbrecher Cup, the USASA Amateur Cup, the John Motta Trophy, USL League Two, the NPSL, the UPSL and The League for Clubs—received automatic entry to the Tournament Proper, while an additional 11 teams were admitted based on league performance.
The field of 16 automatic qualifiers includes a former Open Cup champion, six debutants and some of the top amateur sides from every corner of the country. Here’s how each side punched its ticket to the 2027 Open Cup.
Asheville City SC (USL League Two)
2026 John Motta Trophy winner
Asheville City SC players celebrate after defeating Greenville Triumph SC to claim their first Open Cup victory | Photo courtesy Asheville City SC
Ambassadors FC Ohio (NPSL)
Ballard FC (USL League Two)
USL League Two automatic bid
After finishing the @USLLeagueTwo season with our best-ever regular season record (12-1-1), we’ve automatically qualified for next year’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup!
Bristol Rhythm AFC (NPSL)
Colorado Storm (USL League Two)
USL League Two automatic bid
Deportivo Rose City (UPSL)
UPSL Spring 2026 champion
Deportivo Rose City players pose with the UPSL National Championship trophy after knocking off Miami United FC | Photo courtesy UPSL
El Farolito (NPSL)
2026 USASA Amateur Cup champion, 2026 NPSL champion
El Farolito players gather after defeating Bristol Rhythm AFC in the NPSL National Championship | Photo courtesy Chris Row/NPSL.com
Laredo Heat SC (USL League Two)
USL League Two automatic bid
Little Rock Rangers (USL League Two)
USL League Two automatic bid
For the 3rd consecutive year, we have automatically qualified for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This will mark our 4th Open Cup appearance. We have had the pleasure to host the 1s round proper, which starts in March against professional teams, for all of our previous appearances. pic.twitter.com/VopEaqAX3N
Miami United FC (UPSL)
Minneapolis City SC (USL League Two)
USL League Two automatic bid
New Haven United FC (NPSL)
Ocean City Nor'easters (USL League Two)
USL League Two automatic bid
Pensacola FC (The League for Clubs)
2026 The League for Clubs champion
Pensacola FC celebrates its first national title after defeating Iron Rose FC in The League for Clubs National Championship | Photo courtesy The League for Clubs
San Francisco City FC (USL League Two)
USL League Two automatic bid
Vermont Green FC (USL League Two)
2026 Hank Steinbrecher Cup champion, 2026 USL League Two champion
Vermont Green FC players lift their second consecutive USL League Two Final trophy | Photo courtesy Vermont Green FC
