Atlanta United will enter the 2027 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the Round of 64, giving the 5-Stripes a later starting point in the historic tournament as U.S. Soccer finalizes a new format for the competition.

All 27 U.S.-based MLS clubs will participate in the 112th edition of the U.S. Open Cup and will enter in the Round of 64 in July.

For Atlanta United, the new format creates a potentially important opportunity during the club’s transition into the 2027-28 MLS competition calendar while also providing greater flexibility for managing its roster across multiple competitions.

MLS clubs will receive hosting priority for their opening U.S. Open Cup match, meaning Atlanta United could have the opportunity to begin its tournament run at home.

The Round of 64 is scheduled for July 8-11, 2027.

Atlanta United Gets Round of 64 Entry

Under the new U.S. Open Cup structure, MLS clubs will bypass the opening rounds of the tournament and enter directly in the Round of 64.

That means Atlanta United’s first match of the 2027 competition will come in July rather than during the earlier stages of the tournament.

The decision is tied to MLS’ transition toward a summer-to-spring competition calendar, with the 2027-28 regular season expected to begin later in the year as the league completes that scheduling shift.

MLS clubs will also receive hosting priority for their opening match, giving Atlanta United a potential home-field advantage from the start of its tournament campaign.

The U.S. Open Cup remains a unique competition because it brings clubs from different levels of American soccer together in the same tournament.

For Atlanta, that creates the possibility of facing an opponent outside MLS while competing for one of the most recognizable domestic trophies in the country.

New Roster Rules Could Give Atlanta United More Flexibility

One of the more interesting changes for Atlanta United involves who the club can use during the tournament.

The U.S. Open Cup will continue to follow its “one club, one entry” principle, while there will be no numerical limit on the number of eligible players for the competition roster.

For 2027, game-day rosters will also expand from 18 to 20 players.

More importantly, MLS clubs will be able to select from contracted first-team, MLS NEXT Pro and academy players.

That flexibility could become particularly valuable for Atlanta United.

Instead of relying exclusively on its regular first-team group, the club can potentially use the U.S. Open Cup to give younger players meaningful competitive minutes while managing the demands of the broader schedule.

For an organization with a player-development pathway extending through Atlanta United 2 and the academy, the competition can serve multiple purposes.

It can be a chance to chase a trophy, provide first-team experience to developing players and give established starters an opportunity to manage their workload.

The U.S. Open Cup Still Offers a Path to Concacaf

The domestic tournament carries more than historical significance.

Winning the U.S. Open Cup provides qualification to the Concacaf Champions Cup, adding an international incentive to the competition.

MLS Executive Vice President of Sporting and Matchday Nelson Rodriguez emphasized the tournament’s ability to connect different levels of American soccer while highlighting the opportunity for MLS clubs to add another chapter to the competition’s history.

That makes the U.S. Open Cup particularly relevant for Atlanta United.

The 5-Stripes have already experienced the importance of the competition, and a successful run can provide both silverware and a route onto the continental stage.

The new format does not change that fundamental incentive.

2027 U.S. Open Cup Schedule

Atlanta United’s tournament journey is scheduled to begin in July.

The current 2027 U.S. Open Cup calendar is:

First Round — April 13-14 & April 20-21

The tournament opens with the First Round in April.

MLS clubs will not participate at this stage.

Round of 64 — July 8-11

This is where Atlanta United enters the competition.

All 27 U.S.-based MLS clubs will join the tournament, with MLS teams receiving hosting priority for their opening match.

Round of 32 — September 14-15

The remaining clubs will compete for a place in the Round of 16.

A live draw will determine the matchups and hosting scenarios following the Round of 64.

Round of 16 — Date TBD

The Round of 16 date has not yet been finalized.

Quarterfinals — November 23-24

Eight remaining clubs will compete for spots in the semifinals.

Semifinals — December 1

The final four teams will battle for a place in the U.S. Open Cup Final.

Final — December 15

The tournament concludes with the U.S. Open Cup Final.

All dates are subject to change.

What the New Format Means for Atlanta United

The most immediate takeaway for Atlanta United is that its U.S. Open Cup campaign will begin later than the tournament’s non-MLS participants.

That could give the club more time to establish its roster and prepare for the competition.

The expanded 20-player game-day roster is another potential advantage.

Atlanta can potentially balance its desire to advance in the tournament with the need to manage minutes across first-team players, MLS NEXT Pro players and academy prospects.

That becomes even more relevant as MLS transitions to a new summer-to-spring calendar.

The U.S. Open Cup could become an important competitive bridge during a period when the league’s calendar looks different from the traditional MLS season structure.

There is also the hosting priority.

If Atlanta United is selected to host its Round of 64 match, the club would have the benefit of playing its opening tournament match in front of its home supporters rather than immediately traveling for its first game.

The exact Round of 64 opponent and match details will be determined later.

A Different Kind of Opportunity for Atlanta’s Young Players

The roster rules may ultimately be one of the biggest stories for Atlanta United.

Allowing clubs to select contracted players from the first team, MLS NEXT Pro and academy creates a direct connection between the different levels of the organization.

For Atlanta United 2 players and academy prospects, that can mean an opportunity to step into a first-team environment in a meaningful competitive match.

The U.S. Open Cup has historically provided opportunities for players outside the regular starting lineup to make an impression.

With 20 players available on game day and broader eligibility, Atlanta could have more options when deciding how aggressively to rotate its squad.

That doesn’t guarantee opportunities for any particular player, but the structure gives the club more flexibility to make those decisions.

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Atlanta United to Enter 2027 U.S. Open Cup in Round of 64 Under New Format 4

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ASN TAKE

The new U.S. Open Cup format gives Atlanta United a relatively clear starting point: Round of 64 in July 2027.

But the bigger story may be what happens after Atlanta enters the tournament.

The expanded 20-player game-day roster and eligibility across the first team, MLS NEXT Pro and academy could make the U.S. Open Cup particularly useful for a club trying to balance results with player development.

For Atlanta United, that’s a meaningful combination.

The 5-Stripes can pursue a domestic trophy while potentially giving younger players a pathway into competitive first-team action.

The tournament’s timing could also make it an interesting part of MLS’ broader calendar transition. With the league moving toward a summer-to-spring season, the U.S. Open Cup will operate within a different competitive landscape than Atlanta fans have traditionally seen.

And then there’s the prize at the end.

Win the U.S. Open Cup, and Atlanta United earns a place in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

That makes the tournament much more than a midseason diversion.

For Atlanta, the 2027 U.S. Open Cup could become a chance to win silverware, test the organization’s depth and create another pathway for emerging players — all while potentially earning another shot at continental competition.

The first step comes in July.

Atlanta United is headed straight into the Round of 64.

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Author: Quique Lopez

Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.