The U.S. Soccer Federation announced Tuesday the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will kick off in March, and the Charleston Battery are set to enter the 110th edition of the knockout tournament in the Third Round on April 15-16.
A total of 64 professional clubs from the top three divisions will compete in the Open Cup, including 24 from the USL Championship, 16 from Major League Soccer (MLS),14 from USL League One and 10 from MLS NEXT Pro.
The Battery will enter the competition in the Third Round of the tournament and are designated to host the match on April 15-16. Winners of the Third Round will advance to the Round of 32 and will be met with teams from MLS.
Given Charleston’s exceptional finish in the Championship’s regular season standings in 2024, they will place directly in the Third Round with 15 other Championship clubs, while the remaining eight enter the Open Cup in the First Round.
Of the 30 MLS clubs, 14 were excluded from the Open Cup due to their participation in the Concacaf Champions Cup and Leagues Cup. Of the 10 MLS NEXT Pro teams competing in the Open Cup, eight are reserve teams for MLS sides, and two are independent clubs.
Charleston’s opponent for the Third Round will be determined by a random draw following the conclusion of the Second Round. Updates on the opponent, date and kickoff time, and match tickets will be provided in due course.
The full rundown on Open Cup dates, teams competing from all leagues, the format and more can be found on the U.S. Soccer website.
The 2025 U.S. Open Cup winner will earn $300,000 in prize money, a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup and have its name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy – one of the oldest nationally contested trophies in American team sports – now on permanent display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas. The runner-up will earn $100,000, while the team that advances the furthest from each lower division will take home a $25,000 cash prize.
The Battery will look to add another chapter to their storied history in the Open Cup and in knocking out the giants in MLS in the tournament. The Battery were 2008 Open Cup finalists, defeating Houston Dynamo FC and FC Dallas along the way, and have also taken down Chicago Fire, Chivas USA and San Jose Earthquakes in the tournament since then.
2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Schedule
First Round – March 18-20
Second Round – April 1-2
Third Round – April 15-16
Round of 32 – May 6-7
Round of 16 – May 20-21
Quarterfinals – July 8-9
Semifinal – Sept. 16-17
Final – Oct. 1