All 27 U.S. MLS Teams to Rejoin 2027 U.S. Open Cup in Round of 64

The 2027 U.S. Open Cup will feature all 27 United States-based MLS teams for the first time since 2023, beginning play in July.

All 27 United States-based MLS teams will compete in the 2027 U.S. Open Cup, ending a period of limited participation that saw only 16 domestic clubs enter the 2026 edition. This expansion marks the first time since 2023 that the league has committed its full U.S. membership to the tournament. Major League Soccer has officially removed the regulation that previously restricted clubs to only two non-league competitions, a change that enables qualified teams to balance the U.S. Open Cup, Leagues Cup, and Concacaf Champions Cup alongside the standard regular season.

Participating clubs are scheduled to enter the knockout bracket in the round of 64. These opening matches will take place in July 2027, a timing designed to coincide with the league's transition to a summer-to-spring competition calendar for the 2027-28 season. For these initial fixtures, MLS organizations will be granted hosting priority. Nelson Rodriguez, MLS executive vice president of sporting and matchday, noted that the tournament offers a pathway for clubs to earn qualification to the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Tournament Schedule and Draw Procedures

Following the completion of the round of 64, a live draw will be conducted to establish the bracket for the round of 32 and round of 16, as well as to determine future hosting privileges. The round of 32 is currently scheduled for September 14 and September 15, 2027. While specific dates for the round of 16 remain unconfirmed, the later stages of the tournament are finalized. The quarterfinals are set for November 23-24, followed by the semifinals on December 1. The 2027 U.S. Open Cup champion will be crowned in the final on December 15.

In contrast to the 2027 full-league participation, the 2026 Leagues Cup included 18 MLS clubs, a figure that accounted for teams based in Canada. The 2026 U.S. Open Cup is still in progress, featuring a semifinal doubleheader on September 16. The Columbus Crew, who won the 2002 title, will host 2022 champions Orlando City SC in the first semifinal. The second matchup features the Colorado Rapids hosting St. Louis City. The winner of the Columbus-Orlando fixture will serve as the host for the final on October 21, 2026.

Roster Flexibility and Squad Expansion

The 2027 edition introduces significant amendments to roster regulations, most notably increasing gameday squad sizes from 18 players to 20. This adjustment allows coaching staffs to select from a pool of contracted first-team players, MLS NEXT Pro athletes, and academy prospects. According to an MLS news release, this flexibility is intended to help clubs manage the physical demands of multiple concurrent competitions while providing competitive minutes for younger players in the developmental pipeline.

By aligning the tournament start with the new July calendar, the league aims to integrate the historic cup competition into the revamped 2027-28 regular season schedule. The tournament continues to serve as a unique link between all levels of the American soccer pyramid, providing a platform for MLS clubs to pursue a trophy that grants entry into continental play via the Concacaf Champions Cup.