New Mexico United will participate in the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, as confirmed by the U.S. Soccer Federation. The club is set to enter in the First Round, which will take place from March 17 to March 19, along with 16 other USL Championship teams that qualified based on their performance in the 2025 regular season. New Mexico United’s first opponent will be drawn from the Open Division, which includes amateur and semi-professional teams from across the country.
Since joining the competition, New Mexico United has developed a reputation for strong performances in the tournament. The team has recorded ten wins overall and reached the Quarterfinals twice—in its inaugural season in 2019 after defeating Major League Soccer sides Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas, and again in 2024 with three consecutive multi-goal victories.
The format for this year’s tournament includes seven rounds instead of eight to reduce scheduling congestion ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The number of professional teams has been reduced from 64 to 48, with slots distributed evenly among divisions.
Two rule changes have been announced: “One-Club, One-Entry,” requiring each professional organization to enter only its highest-level team; and increased roster flexibility, allowing clubs to register any rostered player and add eligible players up until one day before each match.
Winners from the First Round will move on to face other advancing teams in the Second Round scheduled for March 31–April 1. Successful clubs then meet Major League Soccer opponents in the Round of 32 on April 14–15. Draws for these rounds are expected in January and early April.
A total of eighty teams will compete for a $1 million prize and a berth in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. CBS Sports remains as multimedia rights partner for coverage throughout the tournament.
The semifinals are set for September after a summer break, followed by the final on October 21. Further details regarding New Mexico United’s matches will be shared as they become available.
