South Charlotte Today

Charlotte FC is set to participate in the Leagues Cup and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup during the 2025 season, according to an announcement from Major League Soccer (MLS). The league outlined the qualification criteria for North American cup competitions for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, highlighting four tournaments: the Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup, Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and Canadian Championship.

These competitions offer clubs a chance to compete for championships beyond MLS play. The participation framework rewards club performance while managing player workload. It ensures that each MLS club can compete in at least one but no more than two North American competitions alongside the MLS league season.

This structure will be effective for both the 2025 and 2026 seasons, aligning with significant events like the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America. "This process will be re-evaluated for 2027 as the landscape of competitions continues to evolve," stated MLS.

The qualification criteria are determined by Concacaf. Eighteen MLS clubs qualify to match LIGA MX's 18 participating clubs, with the top nine teams from each MLS Conference from the previous season earning spots.

For 2025, a modification was made due to Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s participation in the Concacaf Champions Cup and their defense of their Canadian Championship title. Consequently, Vancouver will not take part in Leagues Cup 2025. Instead, expansion club San Diego FC will join Leagues Cup 2025, allowing all 30 MLS teams to compete in at least one or two North American cup competitions.

The format of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has also been adjusted for 2025. The number of participating MLS first teams has increased from eight to sixteen, along with ten MLS NEXT Pro teams joining the tournament.

"The sixteen participating MLS teams are determined as follows: All three Canadian-based MLS clubs compete," confirmed Major League Soccer.