USL Expands Jägermeister Cup, Launches First Pro Interleague Competition Created by a Domestic Soccer League
December 12, 2024 - United Soccer League One (USL1) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - The United Soccer League (USL) announced today the expansion of the USL Jägermeister Cup, uniting clubs from the USL Championship and League One in a groundbreaking interleague competition. The 2025 tournament represents a significant milestone for domestic soccer, as it marks the first time a U.S. soccer league has established its own interleague cup between two professional divisions.
Entering its second year after a successful launch exclusively with League One clubs last season, the 2025 USL Jägermeister Cup will feature all 38 professional men's clubs (24 Championship, 14 League One) competing in a World Cup-style tournament throughout the regular season. Adding more meaningful matches to the annual calendar, the USL Jägermeister Cup includes fan-first modifications to encourage attacking soccer, such as penalty shootouts to determine match winners during the group stage and goals scored as the first tiebreaker in the group standings.
"We are thrilled to partner with Jägermeister to expand the competition to include both our men's professional leagues and create more matches of consequence," said USL President and Chief Soccer Officer Paul McDonough. "This new approach highlights the vision and commitment of our owners to explore innovative ways to adapt our structure, delivering a more compelling and entertaining format. This first-of-its-kind cup will give fans additional opportunities to support their teams and celebrate their communities in an exciting tournament."
The USL Jägermeister Cup will consist of six regional groups [see below], with six or seven teams assigned by league or conference affiliation per group. Each team will play four matches - two home, two away - in group play with home assignments being randomly drawn. The group stage kicks off April 26 and concludes the weekend of July 26. After the group stage, which will see the six group winners and two wild cards advance to the single-elimination knockout rounds, a draw will set the matchups which will begin three weeks later. The USL Jägermeister Cup will conclude with the Final on the weekend of Oct. 11.
The Jägermeister brand has been a pioneer in sports business and soccer. In 1973, Jägermeister became the first company to place a logo on a Bundesliga club's jersey with the sponsorship of Eintracht Braunschweig. Jägermeister is committed to crafting some of the best nights in sports and will be working with partners in local USL communities to host special events announced at a later date.
In addition to the clubs and players being highlighted throughout the tournament, fans will also have their own shot at glory in the "Shot at Glory Bracket Challenge" which will launch ahead of the first matchday.
More information about the USL Jägermeister Cup will be shared in the coming months leading up to the competition and throughout the tournament on our dedicated social media channels at USL Jägermeister Cup on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
2025 USL Jägermeister Cup
Group 1
AV Alta FC
Ezoic
Las Vegas Lights FC
Monterey Bay FC
Oakland Roots SC
Orange County SC
Sacramento Republic FC
Spokane Velocity FC
Group 2
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
El Paso Locomotive FC
Ezoic
New Mexico United
Phoenix Rising FC
San Antonio FC
Texoma FC
Union Omaha
Group 3
Birmingham Legion FC
Chattanooga Red Wolves SC
Forward Madison FC
Indy Eleven
One Knoxville SC
FC Tulsa
Group 4
Detroit City FC
Hartford Athletic
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Portland Hearts of Pine
Rhode Island FC
Westchester SC
Group 5
Charlotte Independence
Lexington SC
Loudoun United FC
Louisville City FC
North Carolina FC
Richmond Kickers
Group 6
Charleston Battery
Greenville Triumph
Miami FC
FC Naples
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Tormenta FC
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United Soccer League One Stories from December 12, 2024
- Westchester Soccer Club Signs Kemar Lawrence as First Player for Their Inaugural Season in USL League One - Westchester SC
- USL Expands Jägermeister Cup, Launches First Interleague Competition Created by a Domestic Soccer League - Greenville Triumph SC
- USL Expands Jägermeister Cup, Launches First Interleague Competition Created by a Domestic Soccer League - Charlotte Independence
- Usl Expands Jägermeister Cup, Launches First Interleague Competition Created by a Domestic Soccer League - Forward Madison FC
- Union Omaha to Play in Expanded USL Jägermeister Cup in 2025 - Union Omaha
- USL Expands Jägermeister Cup, Launches First Pro Interleague Competition Created by a Domestic Soccer League - USL1
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