U.S. Soccer announced the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup, a single-elimination national women’s soccer tournament that will pit professional and amateur teams against one another to crown a singular national champion and serve as a pathway to the Concacaf W Champions Cup. Backed by Arthur M. Blank and offering a $1.1 million winner’s prize, the competition is intended to deepen the domestic competitive ecosystem, attract investment, and create more high-level development and exposure opportunities for American players.
ATLANTA (October 14, 2026) — U.S. Soccer today announced the launch of the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup , a first-of-its-kind tournament that will bring together women’s soccer teams from across the nation to crown a singular national champion. The date for launch will be determined upon consultation with key stakeholders in the ecosystem. The competition will be a single-elimination knockout format, culminating in a championship final. The competition will award the winner a record-setting prize of $1.1 million and serve as a pathway to qualification for the Concacaf W Champions Cup. “Women’s soccer continues to be one of the most dynamic and inspiring forces in sport,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone . “The Crest Cup will create meaningful impact by bringing people together, attracting investment in the future of the game, and ensuring that excellence, inclusivity, and opportunity remain at the heart of women’s soccer in the United States.” Bridging a Gap in the Women’s Game The foundation of women’s soccer in the United States runs deep, with multiple professional leagues, hundreds of amateur teams and a rich history of collegiate competition. However, there historically has not been a platform for these teams and players to compete against each other. "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," said Emma Hayes, U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach . "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.” As women’s professional soccer experiences unprecedented growth in participation, viewership, and investment, The Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup arrives at a pivotal moment. The tournament is designed to strengthen the competitive ecosystem, incentivize progressive player development, and promote investment into women’s club soccer; while also creating opportunities for talented, American players to showcase their skills in a high-stakes environment. While comparable to European tournaments like England’s Women’s FA Cup, the Crest Cup is the first tournament of its kind in the U.S. to bring together the best teams in an interconnected competition. “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 tournament will carry forward U.S. Soccer and Arthur M. Blank’s shared values of integrity, community, and stewardship, while celebrating female excellence. "Soccer has an extraordinary power to bring people together, and this competition represents an important step forward for the women’s game,” Blank said. “Creating a new stage for the best clubs and athletes in the country to compete at the highest level will expand opportunity, inspire the next generation and build on the tremendous momentum behind women’s soccer in the United States. My family, our Foundation, our associates and I are proud to continue to support U.S. Soccer’s commitment to elevating the game and creating a lasting impact for athletes, fans and communities for generations to come.” Not just any cup. Not just another tournament. Earn automatic & free qualification to the Cal North State Cup by winning Open Cup. Register HERE
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: www.calnorth.org
U.S. Soccer, Arthur M. Blank, Chelsea, Arthur M. Blank Foundation, Emma Hayes, JT Batson
U.S. Soccer: U.S. Soccer is the national governing body for soccer in the United States and the organizer launching the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup to crown a singular national women's club champion.
Arthur M. Blank: Arthur M. Blank is the benefactor whose support is backing the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup and whose name is attached to the new women's national club tournament.
Chelsea: Chelsea is a professional women's club whose Women's FA Cup participation is referenced as an example of the impact of domestic cup competitions.
Arthur M. Blank Foundation: Arthur M. Blank Foundation is implied as part of Arthur M. Blank's philanthropic support for U.S. Soccer and the Crest Cup to create community impact and opportunities for athletes.
Emma Hayes: Emma Hayes is named as U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach who commented on the importance of domestic cup competitions and the expected impact of the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup.
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