New Mexico United has been placed in Group 2 for the upcoming 2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup, according to an announcement by the United Soccer League. The tournament will begin on Saturday, April 25, with teams divided into seven regional groups. Six of these groups contain six teams each, while one group consists of seven teams. Each club is scheduled to play four matches during the group stage, which ends on July 11.
The format allows for the seven group winners and one wild card team—the second-place team with the most points in group play—to move forward to the knockout rounds. If there is a tie in points, goals scored will serve as the first tiebreaker. Quarterfinals are set for August 13, semifinals on September 9, and the final will take place over the weekend of October 2–4.
"New Mexico United has been selected into group 2 in the Cup. In just their first appearance in the USL Cup last season, New Mexico United quickly made their mark, posting a 3–1 record and showcasing their ability to compete at a high level in the tournament," stated league officials.
The team's home opener for this year’s competition will be against AV Alta FC on April 25. This marks the first time these two clubs have met.
Group assignments for this year include:
- Group 1: Athletic Club Boise, Las Vegas Lights FC, Monterey Bay FC, Oakland Roots SC, Sacramento Republic FC, Spokane Velocity FC
- Group 2: AV ALTA FC, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, El Paso Locomotive FC, New Mexico United, Orange County SC, Phoenix Rising FC
- Group 3: Birmingham Legion FC, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC, Corpus Christi FC, One Knoxville SC, San Antonio FC, FC Tulsa
- Group 4: Detroit City FC, Fort Wayne FC, Forward Madison FC, Indy Eleven, Lexington SC, Louisville City FC, Union Omaha
- Group 5: Brooklyn FC, Hartford Athletic, New York Cosmos, Portland Hearts of Pine, Rhode Island FC, Westchester SC
- Group 6: Charleston Battery, Charlotte Independence, Greenville Triumph SC, Loudoun United FC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Richmond Kickers
- Group 7: Miami FC, FC Naples, Sarasota Paradise, South Georgia Tormenta FC,Sporting Club Jacksonville,Tampa Bay Rowdies
Key dates for the cup are as follows:
April 25-July 11 – Group Stage
August 12 – Quarterfinals
September 9 – Semifinals
October 2-4 – Final
Prinx Tires was also announced as the entitlement partner for this year's cup competition.
