MLS will have all 27 U.S.-based teams participate in the 2027 U.S. Open Cup, marking full participation for the first time since 2023, after MLS briefly pulled out amid scheduling concerns and the Leagues Cup rollout.

In 2024, the Open Cup featured only eight MLS clubs, as the league prioritized the Leagues Cup and the Concacaf Champions Cup, but 2027 signals a return to universal MLS participation.

This marks the first time since 2023 that every eligible MLS club competes, following MLS’s December 2023 withdrawal to focus on scheduling and the new competition structure.

The coverage notes potential leadership changes in MLS, with Larry Berg possibly taking over as Commissioner and improving relations with the U.S. Open Cup and U.S. Soccer.

Past disputes included debates over broadcast rights, marketing, competition standards, and ticket revenue sharing, with U.S. Soccer previously receiving up to half of ticket revenue for certain matches.

Beyond participation, observers call for broader Open Cup reforms, including reinstating a fifth-round, bringing back USL Championship clubs, securing a title sponsor, and aligning match timing with the international calendar across leagues.

FC Dallas has a storied Open Cup history with two titles and nine semifinal appearances, and missing the 2026 edition was disappointing for fans.

LAFC and Nashville SC are expected to continue as strong Open Cup contenders, defending titles if the 2026 winner is decided in 2026.

There is an overall optimistic outlook for the Open Cup’s future, with calls to improve sponsorship, scheduling, and cross-league alignment to solidify its structure for 2027 and beyond.

The Open Cup is framed as a unifying mechanism for American soccer, connecting all levels after a period of contention and partial participation.

Prize money was doubled to $1 million by 2025, and CBS secured media rights for 2025 and 2026, signaling growing commercial interest in the tournament.

While nothing is official yet, the move toward universal MLS participation is viewed as a significant and celebratory development for FC Dallas and MLS fans.