US Soccer has unveiled the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup, an innovative national club tournament that will see professional leagues across the United States compete for a historic $1.1 million prize. This new competition is designed to bring together various soccer leagues in a single-elimination format, crowning one ultimate champion.
Set to serve as a qualifying event for the Concacaf W Champions Cup, the Crest Cup holds a significant place in the U.S. soccer landscape, offering an unprecedented financial reward and competitive opportunity. The tournament draws parallels to prestigious knockout competitions such as the men’s US Open Cup and England’s FA Cup, aiming to connect professional, amateur, and other domestic leagues that have traditionally operated separately.
A National Stage for Club Soccer
The tournament’s name honors Arthur M. Blank, the owner of the forthcoming NWSL expansion team, Atlanta FC. US Soccer plans to announce the official dates in the near future, coordinating closely with key stakeholders to ensure an optimal schedule. Cindy Parlow Cone, President of US Soccer, emphasized the importance of balancing the new competition with players’ existing league commitments.
“We’re working very closely with both the NWSL and the Gainbridge Super League to figure out what is the optimal time to do this,” Parlow Cone explained. “We want to make sure that we’re not overloading the players and allowing enough recovery between their league matches and the Crest Cup matches.”
With its record prize pool and inclusive format, the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup promises to elevate club soccer in the United States by fostering greater competition and collaboration across leagues.