When Austin FC lost the 2025 U.S. Open Cup final at home, some wondered when the club would get another chance like that to win a trophy. That could now come as soon as next year.
On Thursday morning, Austin FC, in conjunction with U.S. Soccer's announcement, revealed it will be one of 16 Major League Soccer teams to participate in the 2026 edition of the U.S. Open Cup.
Verde will enter in the third round of the tournament, either April 14 or 15, though it's not yet officially announced whether they'll host or play elsewhere — though read on to see why we believe they'll host.
Austin FC first participated in the historic tournament, which dates back to 1914, in its second season, losing to San Antonio FC in extra time, but fared far better in 2025, hosting the final after making a run that included wins over El Paso Locomotive, Houston Dynamo FC, San Jose Earthquakes, and Minnesota United FC, before losing a heartbreaker to Nashville SC at Q2 Stadium.
In a yet-again-revised format, U.S. Soccer announced that 16 MLS teams, 17 USL Championship teams, 13 USL League One, and two MLS Next Pro teams will be among the tournament's 80 entrants. What hasn't changed, though, is the formula for capturing the trophy: Winning five games, most likely opening against a USL Championship team from the region.
As revealed by U.S. Soccer, Open Cup favorites like the Des Moines Menace (which has fielded retired MLS players in years past), El Farolito (the San Francisco-based "burrito team," named for a Mexican restaurant, with an impressive track record in past Open Cups), and Vermont Green (a USL League 2 team that's garnered a fan base beyond the state) will also participate.
Other MLS teams in the tourney include:
- Atlanta United FC
- Charlotte FC
- Chicago Fire FC
- Colorado Rapids
- Columbus Crew
- D.C. United
- Houston Dynamo FC
- Minnesota United FC
- New England Revolution
- New York City FC
- Orlando City SC
- Red Bull New York
- San Jose Earthquakes
- St. Louis City SC
- Sporting Kansas City
One name you're not seeing on this list: Nashville SC, the defending champs, who will graduate to Concacaf Champions Cup in 2026 by virtue of winning the 2025 tournament, along with other MLS entrants LAFC, Inter Miami, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, San Diego FC, FC Cincinnati, and the Philadelphia Union.
U.S. Soccer says, "Teams not participating in the 2026 Leagues Cup qualify for the Open Cup, ranked based on 2025 Supporters Shield Standings. The top four teams from this list from each conference will be seeded as home teams."
Based on the Open Cup contestant list (which strangely excludes FC Dallas and Portland Timbers), Austin would be one of the four West hosts based on 2025 Shield standings. But the list also has nine East teams and seven West teams.
Sizing up the list, based on 2025 rosters and standings, it looks like a winnable tournament, with semifinalists Minnesota the toughest out in the West, and Charlotte and NYCFC the highest-ranking East teams.
So maybe a final at Q2 Stadium for a second year in a row isn't so far-fetched.
When Austin FC lost the 2025 U.S. Open Cup final at home, some wondered when the club would get another chance like that to win a trophy. That could now come as soon as next year.
On Thursday morning, Austin FC, in conjunction with U.S. Soccer's announcement, revealed it will be one of 16 Major League Soccer teams to participate in the 2026 edition of the U.S. Open Cup.
Verde will enter in the third round of the tournament, either April 14 or 15, though it's not yet officially announced whether they'll host or play elsewhere — though read on to see why we believe they'll host.
Austin FC first participated in the historic tournament, which dates back to 1914, in its second season, losing to San Antonio FC in extra time, but fared far better in 2025, hosting the final after making a run that included wins over El Paso Locomotive, Houston Dynamo FC, San Jose Earthquakes, and Minnesota United FC, before losing a heartbreaker to Nashville SC at Q2 Stadium.
In a yet-again-revised format, U.S. Soccer announced that 16 MLS teams, 17 USL Championship teams, 13 USL League One, and two MLS Next Pro teams will be among the tournament's 80 entrants. What hasn't changed, though, is the formula for capturing the trophy: Winning five games, most likely opening against a USL Championship team from the region.
As revealed by U.S. Soccer, Open Cup favorites like the Des Moines Menace (which has fielded retired MLS players in years past), El Farolito (the San Francisco-based "burrito team," named for a Mexican restaurant, with an impressive track record in past Open Cups), and Vermont Green (a USL League 2 team that's garnered a fan base beyond the state) will also participate.
Other MLS teams in the tourney include:
One name you're not seeing on this list: Nashville SC, the defending champs, who will graduate to Concacaf Champions Cup in 2026 by virtue of winning the 2025 tournament, along with other MLS entrants LAFC, Inter Miami, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, San Diego FC, FC Cincinnati, and the Philadelphia Union.
U.S. Soccer says, "Teams not participating in the 2026 Leagues Cup qualify for the Open Cup, ranked based on 2025 Supporters Shield Standings. The top four teams from this list from each conference will be seeded as home teams."
Based on the Open Cup contestant list (which strangely excludes FC Dallas and Portland Timbers), Austin would be one of the four West hosts based on 2025 Shield standings. But the list also has nine East teams and seven West teams.
Sizing up the list, based on 2025 rosters and standings, it looks like a winnable tournament, with semifinalists Minnesota the toughest out in the West, and Charlotte and NYCFC the highest-ranking East teams.
So maybe a final at Q2 Stadium for a second year in a row isn't so far-fetched.
Read Next
Nothing Eze about it: What the Eze Onuoha transfer report says about building Austin FC (and Austin FC II)
Eze Onuoha is a 17-year-old defensive midfielder from Finland who could be Austin FC's next signing. But will he first be a mainstay for Austin FC II? And given his reported transfer fee, is that smart roster building?
How is possession changing for the new-look Austin FC?
Austin FC's possession numbers and xG values haven't been sterling in 2026. But the changes made under Davy Arnaud are perceptible and bearing out in the numbers, per one analyst.
Going back to Cali: Reading the tea leaves on the 2027 Coachella Valley Invitational invite
Austin FC announced that it will be playing the 2027 Coachella Valley Invitational — its fourth straight appearance at the tournament. Here's what we learned about that, and by extension, the sprint season.
'I couldn't be more proud of it': Taking in the 'emotional journey' of Austin FC's three-goal comeback
Resiliency is the word of the day, as Austin FC rallied from a three-goal deficit to draw San Diego FC and stay in the playoff race. Despite an eight-match unbeaten streak, the postseason could hinge on beating MLS' best team.