CHICAGO (July 20, 2021) – The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will return for its 107th edition in 2022 after canceling the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 tournament will start on March 22, with the Final of U.S. Soccer’s National Championship slated for mid-September.

A truncated 2021 Open Cup in May and June was called off and will not be rescheduled after not finding available match dates shared across the various participating leagues.

“After calling off the 2021 edition of the Open Cup due to the remnant effects of COVID-19, we’re excited that we can put next year’s match dates on everyone’s calendar so early,” said Open Cup Commissioner Paul Marstaller. “The 2022 tournament will be the first in memory when all the top players will be available for selection for every round as none of the games involving Division I Major League Soccer or Division II USL Championship clubs will be played during an international call-up period, a necessary feature for building a credible national championship.”

2022 LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Jan. 6                         Open Division berth allocation announced

Jan. 19                       First Round pairings announced

Jan. 26                      Second Round pairings and possible pairings announced

March 22-23             First Round (Mexico-USA World Cup Qualifier is March 24)

April 5-7                    Second Round

April 8                       Third Round Draw

April 19-21                Third Round (a portion of Division I teams enter)

April 22                     Round of 32 Draw

May 10-11                  Round of 32 (remaining Division I teams enter)