March 28 – The unfairly maligned U.S. Open Cup has just received a major shot in the arm with the announcement that CBS Sports and U.S. Soccer have reached a multi-year, multimedia rights agreement for the exclusive English-language rights through 2026.
Every match will be streamed live on Paramount+ from the Third Round of the tournament beginning April 15 until the final, with select matches simulcasting on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports Golazo Network. The second round will remain on U.S. Soccer’s YouTube channel.
Along with full matches, and highlights, the coverage will also include studio programming on the CBS Sports Golazo Network. This gives CBS the opportunity to create additional content beyond the games featuring markets and clubs that ordinarily might struggle to get national attention and exposure.
As the oldest, ongoing national soccer competition in the U.S., this deal will enable U.S Soccer to tell the story and sell the competition to a broader swathe of the American soccer public.
“This is an incredible step forward in our service to soccer strategy and to further growing the game which highlights the longest-running and most inclusive soccer tournament in the United States,” said David Wright, U.S. Soccer Chief Commercial Officer. “CBS Sports has shown a tremendous commitment to offer accessibility for all soccer fans and to grow the sport domestically and globally, and we’re excited to have the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup featured among the world’s most exciting soccer competitions.”
“The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a marquee addition to CBS Sports’ premium soccer portfolio with its reach across all levels of the domestic game,” said Dan Weinberg, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports. “We’re expanding our coverage by making the tournament’s exciting competition more accessible to fans than ever before and further solidifying Paramount+ as the premier destination for soccer in this country.”
As well as analysis and commentary on the CBS Sports Golazo Network, and CBS Sports, CBSSports.com will provide Open Cup editorial coverage.
With this increased coverage, cup upsets from the past may now get their day in the sun leading more soccer enthusiasts to understand the dynamic nature of the cup, where upsets are part of its very fabric.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1743176769labto1743176769ofdlr1743176769owedi1743176769sni@o1743176769fni1743176769