The best of the NWSL and USL Super League will meet in the newly formed women’s cup competition.
The Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup will be a new tournament involving clubs from all of the first division leagues of US Soccer, the federation announced on Wednesday. A start date for the tournament has yet to be announced, but ESPN reported that the projected time frame for the competition to begin is 2028.
The format of the competition will be a single knockout format, culminating in a championship final where the winner will receive a record $1.1 million prize. The tournament champions will also qualify for the CONCACAF W Champions Cup.
“Women’s soccer continues to be one of the most dynamic and inspiring forces in sports,” said USA Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cohn. “The Crest Cup will make a meaningful impact by bringing people together, attracting investment in the future of the game and ensuring that excellence, inclusion and opportunity remain at the heart of women’s soccer in the United States.”
The introduction of the Crest Cup compares to England’s Women’s FA Cup, which includes not only professional clubs but also amateur teams. However, the Crest Cup will only feature teams from the NWSL and USL Super League, expected to total 26 combined clubs by the reported 2028 start date.
The new competition will be named after Atlanta United, Atlanta Falcons and NWSL expansion side owner Arthur Blank. Blank also contributed $50 million to the new USA Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia, which will open in early 2026 and bear his name.
“Thanks to Arthur M. Blank’s support, the Crest Cup represents a defining moment for women’s soccer in this country,” said USA Soccer CEO JT Batson. “It’s not just about being crowned club champions, it’s about creating unforgettable moments for players and fans and expanding the reach of women’s professional football to new communities.”
It’s been two years since the CONCACAF W Champions Cup was created, with Mexican side Club America winning the competition in 2026. The reigning NWSL champions, Gotham FC, won the first edition of the tournament in 2025.