U.S. Soccer has announced the launch of the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup, a new single-elimination tournament that will see the winner qualify for the Concacaf W Champions Cup.
The tournament will feature every team from the NWSL and the USL Super League, per multiple reports. U.S. Soccer did not announce a launch date, but ESPN reported that the competition is expected to begin in 2028.
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The winner of the tournament will receive a $1.1 million prize.
The cup competition will emulate the FA Cup in England or the U.S. Open Cup in the United States, which see clubs from across a country’s soccer pyramid compete for a single trophy.
“Domestic cup competitions are an important part of the women’s game. Having competed in many Women’s FA Cup tournaments with Chelsea, I’ve seen firsthand what these competitions mean to players, clubs and communities,” U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes said in a U.S. Soccer news release.
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
July 12: Houston Dash midfielder Linda Ullmark (30) attempts a shot as Denver Summit FC defender Kaleigh Kurtz (3) defends during the second half at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.
(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
July 12: Houston Dash midfielder Linda Ullmark (30) attempts a shot as Denver Summit FC defender Kaleigh Kurtz (3) defends during the second half at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.
(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
July 4: North Carolina Courage midfielder Ashley Sanchez (2) shoots the ball past Seattle Reign FC goalkeeper Cassie Miller (38) during the second half at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. North Carolina won the game, 3-1.
(William Howard, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
July 3: Kansas City Current midfielder Michelle Cooper (17) and Denver Summit FC defender Natalie Means (4) battle for the ball during the second half at Centennial Stadium. The KC Current won the game, 3-0.
(Isaiah J. Downing, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 23: Houston Dash defender Leah Klenke (4) attempts to leap over Angel City FC midfielder Kennedy Fuller (17) during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. The Houston Dash won the game, 2-1.
(Maria Lysaker, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 15: Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji (front) competes with Boston Legacy FC defender Bianca St-Georges during the first half at PayPal Park. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.
(Kelley L Cox, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 9: Houston Dash forward Kate Faasse (left) controls the ball against the Denver Summit FC at Shell Energy Stadium. The Denver Summit won the game, 4-1.
(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 9: Boston Legacy FC goalkeeper Casey Murphy (1) plays the ball against Gotham FC during the second half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 3: Portland Thorns FC midfielder Cassandra Bogere (6) defends Chicago Stars FC midfielder Manaka Hayashi (16) during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The Portland Thorns won the game, 2-0.
(David Banks, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
May 2: North Caroilna Courage goalie Kailen Sheridan (1) clears the ball off a corner kick during the second half against the KC Current at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. KC Current won the game, 2-1.
(William Howard, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 25: The Houston Dash’s Colaprico (24) and North Carolina Courage’s Evelyn Ijeh (10) battle for the ball during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. The North Carolina Courage won the game, 1-0.
(Maria Lysaker, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 25: Boston Legacy FC’s Josefine Hasbo (5) defends against Chicago Stars FC’s Jordyn Huitema during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The Chicago Stars won the game, 2-0.
(David Banks, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 24: Kansas City Current goalkeeper Lorena (23) drops a corner kick allowing the Washington Spirit’s Trinity Rodman to score a goal during the first half at Audi Field. The Washington Spirit won the game, 4-0.
(Jamie Sabau, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
April 5: Washington Spirit defender Tara Rudd (9) heads the ball against Bay FC during the second half at PayPal Park. The Washington Spirit won the game, 2-0.
(John Hefti, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 25: Gotham FC goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger makes a save on a shot by Denver Summit FC’s Melissa Kossler during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The Denver Summit won the game, 2-0.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 25: The Washington Spirit’s Esme Morgan (24) heads the ball against the Utah Royals at Audi Field. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
(Jamie Sabau, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 22: San Diego Wave FC’s Laurina Fazer (left) and the Utah Royals’ Cece Delzer battle for possession during the first half at America First Field. The San Diego Wave won the game, 2-1.
(Aaron Baker, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 21: The North Carolina Courage’s Riley Jackson (right) fights for the ball against Gotham FC’s Esther González (9) and Jessica Carter (27) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.
(Mark Smith, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 21: Houston Dash midfielder Kiki Van Zanten (12) controls the ball as Boston Legacy FC defender Jorelyn Carabalí (16) defends during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston won the game, 3-0.
(Maria Lysaker, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: North Carolina Courage fans hold yellow and red cards during second half against the Racing Louisville FC at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. North Carolina won the match, 2-1.
(Jaylynn Nash, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: A Volaris airplane flies over the stadium during the Bay FC vs. Denver Summit FC game at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. Bay FC won the match, 2-1, in what was the first-ever game for the Denver Summit.
(David Gonzales, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: Utah Royals midfielder Janni Thomsen (7) dribbles up field against the Kansas City Current during the second half at CPKC Stadium. Kansas City won the match, 2-1.
(Peter Aiken, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 14: Boston Legacy FC midfielder Alba Caño (26) and NY/NJ Gotham FC midfielder Jaedyn Shaw (10) battle for the ball during the first half of the game at Gillette Stadium. Gotham FC won the match – the first in Boston Legacy FC history – 1-0.
(Natalie Reid, Imagn Images)
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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season
March 13: The Washington Spirit get ready for a corner kick during the second half against the Portland Thorns at Audi Field. Portland won the NWSL 2026 season opener, 1-0.
(Jordyn Harris, Imagn Images)
“The Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup will strengthen the competitive landscape in the USA while creating more opportunities for talented young players to showcase their skills in a high-stakes environment. It’s an important step in the continued growth of women’s soccer, and I’m excited to see this tournament take shape.”
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Blank, the tournament’s namesake, is the owner of incoming NWSL expansion side Atlanta City FC, as well as Atlanta United in MLS and the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
“Thanks to the support of Arthur M. Blank, the Crest Cup represents a defining moment for women’s soccer in this country,” said U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson. “This won’t be just about crowning a club champion, but delivering unforgettable moments for players and fans, and expanding the reach of women’s professional soccer into new communities.”
The NWSL will expand to 18 teams by 2028, while the USL Super League launched in 2024 and currently has eight teams.
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