US Soccer has announced the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup, a new single-elimination club competition for women that brings together teams from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the USL Super League (USL). The tournament will include every team from both divisions, with a pathway to continental competition: the winner is set to earn a place in the Concacaf W Champions Cup.
US Soccer is funding the event’s prize pool with more than $1.5 million reported across outlets, and the competition is described as the women’s game equivalent of the U.S. Open Cup. While there is no confirmed start date, reporting suggests it is expected to begin in the late 2020s, with US Soccer expressing hopes of having it operating before the 2031 Women’s World Cup. Coverage also notes structural details, including that no amateur teams are selected to be considered, indicating the initial field is limited to NWSL and USL clubs.
