The 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is set to showcase an exciting phase of American soccer’s oldest knockout tournament, with a fresh broadcast landscape that significantly enhances accessibility and fan engagement. U.S. Soccer and CBS Sports have entered into a multimedia rights agreement covering the 2025 and 2026 editions of the tournament, positioning Paramount+ as the central streaming platform alongside select linear TV broadcasts on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network. This comprehensive coverage framework ensures that fans can follow the tournament’s progression from the Third Round through to the Final with unprecedented convenience and depth.
A New Broadcasting Home: CBS Sports and Paramount+ Partnership
The partnership between U.S. Soccer and CBS Sports signifies a major milestone in the coverage of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Every match from the Third Round onward will stream live on Paramount+, making the digital platform the definitive destination for Open Cup fans. This arrangement addresses the growing trend toward streaming services as primary sources for live sports content, providing viewers with the flexibility to watch on multiple devices.
In addition to the streaming availability, select matches will be simulcast on traditional linear channels—namely CBS Sports Network and the CBS Sports Golazo Network. Notably, the Golazo Network offers free, advertising-supported streaming, expanding access to those without subscription services. The simulcasts and supplementary studio shows featuring prominent hosts and analysts enrich the viewing experience, delivering expert insights and live whip-around coverage highlighting pivotal moments across games.
This dual-platform approach caters both to the cord-cutting audience and traditional cable viewers, broadening the tournament’s reach and fostering higher fan engagement. The integrated coverage also includes highlights, pre-game and post-game analysis, and whip-around shows like “The Golazo Show,” which provide dynamic and immediate recaps of concurrent matches.
Broadcast Schedule and Showcase Matches
The opening rounds have already begun to deliver thrilling matchups, with the Round of 32 featuring a mix of Major League Soccer (MLS) teams and lower-division sides from the USL Championship and USL League Two. All Round of 32 games streamed live on Paramount+, supplemented by CBS Sports Golazo Network and CBS Sports Network broadcasts for select fixtures, have set the tone.
As the 2025 U.S. Open Cup advances to the Round of 16 on May 20-21, the field consists predominantly of MLS teams, with 15 of the 16 participants representing the top-flight league. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC from the USL Championship stand out as the lone lower-division team advancing, continuing the tradition of “cupset” potential where underdogs challenge MLS opponents.
CBS Sports will televise all Round of 16 matches via streaming on Paramount+, with three games simulcast on CBS Sports Network and Golazo Network. This round’s key encounters and broadcast windows have been carefully scheduled to maximize viewership, such as the Philadelphia Union vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds match kicking off at 4:30 PM PDT on May 21.
Coverage extends beyond mere broadcasting; detailed storytelling is woven throughout digital and linear platforms. Features previewing matches, in-depth statistical analysis, and historical context amplify fan understanding and emotional investment. The Round of 16’s predominantly MLS-heavy lineup promises high stakes and intense competition, further boosting the tournament’s profile.
Enhancing Fan Experience Through Multi-Platform Coverage
A hallmark of the CBS-Paramount+ agreement lies in its multifaceted presentation of the U.S. Open Cup. Fans have the option to watch entire games live online or on television or engage with bite-sized highlights and expert commentary. The availability of free matches on the Golazo Network is particularly valuable for casual fans and those hesitant to subscribe, offering a taste of Open Cup drama without cost barriers.
Coverage is further enriched by studio programming comprising analysts like Charlie Davies, Tony Meola, Mike Grella, and Michael Lahoud, who provide tactical breakdowns, player spotlights, and narrative insights that frame the games within broader league and international contexts. Such presentations help elevate the profile of the tournament and its participants, bridging gaps between hardcore enthusiasts and newly engaged viewers.
The Competitive Landscape and Significance of the U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup stands as the oldest open-style knockout competition in U.S. soccer, boasting rich traditions that parallel prestigious international tournaments like England’s FA Cup and Scotland’s Scottish Cup. The 2025 tournament continues this legacy by delivering compelling matchups that pit MLS powerhouses against spirited lower-division challengers.
A key motivator for teams is the coveted prize of a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. This adds significant competitive weight to each fixture, especially as MLS clubs seek to assert dominance while USL teams look to demonstrate growth and capability on a national stage.
The blend of league tiers competing in a knockout format offers ample possibility for upsets and narrative twists, maintaining what many fans refer to as the “magic of the Cup.” The structure also promotes regional rivalries and brings smaller markets into the national spotlight, fostering grassroots enthusiasm for soccer throughout the United States.
Looking Forward: Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final
Following the Round of 16, CBS Sports remains the primary broadcast partner into the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the decisive Final. Paramount+ will continue to stream all matches with select games simulcast for broader viewership. As the tournament reaches its climax, CBS Sports’ increased focus on studio shows and whip-around coverage ensures that fans remain fully engaged with every vital moment.
The Final, scheduled for October 1, will see the champion earn not only the U.S. Open Cup trophy but also a coveted spot in the continental competition, underscoring the tournament’s importance in the American soccer calendar.
Conclusion: A New Era of Accessibility and Excitement for the U.S. Open Cup
The 2025 and 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup editions herald a new era for tournament coverage, smartly positioning CBS Sports and Paramount+ as central platforms to deliver comprehensive, accessible, and engaging content. This multimedia rights agreement expands the reach of the competition, allowing fans across the country to experience every stage—from the Third Round up to the intense Final—with ease.
The combination of exclusive streaming, free simulcasts, expert analysis, and interactive programming creates a layered viewer experience that enhances the tournament’s appeal. As the U.S. Open Cup continues to grow in stature and visibility, this broadcast strategy effectively fosters both traditional soccer followers and new audiences, weaving the magic of knockout soccer deeper into the fabric of American sports culture.
