The Verde and Black will take the pitch on either April 14 or 15 for the Round of 32.

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin FC will once again compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, U.S. Soccer announced Thursday.

The Verde and Black are no strangers to the tournament, having hosted the 2025 Open Cup Final at Q2 Stadium in Austin. The club will enter the 2026 competition in the Round of 32, with its first match scheduled for April 14 or April 15 of 2026. 

In 2025, Austin FC recorded four Open Cup victories, defeating El Paso Locomotive FC, Houston Dynamo FC, the San Jose Earthquakes and Minnesota United FC to reach the final. The team finished as runners-up and holds an all-time record of five wins and three losses in the competition.

The 2026 tournament features 80 teams across multiple soccer leagues in the U.S., all vying for a $1 million prize and a berth in the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Austin FC will need to win five matches to claim the title.

U.S. Soccer is set to release the first and second-round draws and full competition schedule in January. Austin FC’s Round of 32 opponent will be announced April 2, 2026. 


2026 U.S. Open Cup schedule

First Round: March 17–19

Second Round: March 31–April 1

Round of 32 (Austin FC enters): April 14–15

Round of 16: April 28–29

Quarterfinals: May 19–20

Semifinals: Sept. 15–16

Final: Oct. 21