U.S. SOCCER AWARDS FLINT CITY BUCKS HOSTING OPPORTUNITY

Chicago, IL  — U.S. Soccer has announced today that the Flint City Bucks will host professional club Forward Madison FC (USL League One) in the first round of the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in downtown Grand Blanc.

The match will be played at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Don Batchelor Stadium, a stunning 6,000-seat multipurpose venue opened in 2023 by Grand Blanc Community Schools. U.S. Soccer drew initial pairings today for the 111th edition of the nation’s oldest and more prestigious soccer competition, dating to 1914. The single-elimination tournament includes teams from all professional levels.

Tickets for the March 19 match are included in all Bucks and Flint City AFC season-ticket packages and are on sale today to the general public via the Bucks website: flintcitybucks.com.

The Bucks accepted an Open Cup invitation for the first time since rehoming to Genesee County in 2019. Flint City earned one of USL League Two’s nine automatic bids for 2025 — bypassing five open-division qualifying rounds — by winning the Great Lakes Division with a 9-3-0 record.

Costa Papista, president of the Flint City Bucks remarks, “We are grateful and honored that U.S. Soccer selected our club to host this first round Open Cup match in Genesee County.  We have a unique opportunity to showcase the beautiful Mid Michigan soccer community to the country with this high profile national tournament. I cannot say enough about the support that we have received from Grand Blanc Community Schools, Genesee County, the City of Grand Blanc, the Grand Blanc Chamber of Commerce and Explore Flint and Genesee.  It takes teamwork to win a hosting bid of this significance.  Our players and staff are thrilled to return to the Open Cup.  We feel prepared to take another run at this historic David vs. Goliath tournament. We want to bring something truly special to our deserving fans, sponsors and a great regional soccer community.”

Trevor Alward, superintendent of Grand Blanc Community Schools commented, “GBCS is proud to support hosting the prestigious Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Don Batchelor Field. This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our community and the greater Genesee County area to the world. Our Grand Blanc soccer program has a rich tradition for both our girls and boys teams, and to host a professional U.S. Soccer sponsored Open Cup game reinforces our district’s ‘Tradition of Excellence.’ We are happy to partner with the Flint City Bucks as they continue to support youth soccer initiatives in our community through their clinics and work with our young athletes. Grand Blanc will be ready to welcome the world to Bobcat Country in March!"

Forward Madison played its inaugural season in 2019, becoming a founding member of the fully professional USL League One. The side has since played in five consecutive Open Cups, winning all five of its first-round matches and twice advancing to the third round to compete against MLS clubs.

This year’s Open Cup will feature 32 semi-professional and amateur (Open Division) teams, each facing full professional sides in the opening round. Professional teams come from the second-tier USL Championship, as well as third-tier USL1 and MLS NEXT Pro. The furthest-advancing Open Division team will earn $50,000 in prize money and automatic qualification to the 2027 tournament.

Each team that wins two knockout matches and advances to the third round will earn the chance to face one of 16 teams entering from first-division Major League Soccer. The second round will take place March 31 and April 1, and the third round will take place April 14 or 15.

The Bucks have applied to host all Open Cup matches, with later-round games possible at the club’s usual home: Kettering University’s iconic Atwood Stadium in downtown Flint.

Bucks bring historic Open Cup resume
The Bucks are among the most decorated semi-professional teams in Open Cup history. Since their founding in 1997 as the Mid-Michigan Bucks, they’ve made 15 appearances and contested 30 matches, including 22 on home turf. The club has a record 10 wins over professional opponents in the tournament — including two of the most iconic upsets in Open Cup history.

In 2000, they became the first team from the Premier Development League (now USL League Two) to defeat an MLS opponent, stunning New England Revolution 1–0 at Foxboro Stadium. In 2012, as the Michigan Bucks, they defeated Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire — themselves a four-time Open Cup champion — 3-2 in extra time at Pontiac’s Ultimate Soccer Arenas. With that victory, the Bucks became the first semi-pro team in the modern era to defeat multiple MLS sides.

Additional Press Quotes
Leigh LaForest, president and CEO of the Grand Blanc Chamber of Commerce: “I am thrilled to welcome the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to the Grand Blanc community. Hosting the Bucks on our home turf is an extraordinary opportunity that brings excitement, pride, and an economic impact to our local businesses. This event will shine a spotlight on Grand Blanc and Genesee County, and we’re honored to play a role in supporting an experience that elevates our entire region.”

John Creasey, mayor of Grand Blanc: “Hosting the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is not only a tremendous opportunity for the city of Grand Blanc but for our community as a whole, as well as the greater Genesee County area. Hosting the Open Cup is a fantastic way for our nation and the world to focus on the many positive aspects our community has to offer. Personally, I’m excited.”

Amari Steward, executive director of Explore Flint & Genesee: “We are truly grateful to the Flint City Bucks and other community partners for helping secure an event like this in Flint & Genesee. With a collaborative spirit, Explore Flint & Genesee is honored to help welcome the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to Genesee County.”

James Avery, Genesee County commissioner: “Hosting an event of such magnitude as the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will have a tremendous impact for Grand Blanc along with all of Genesee County. This will give great recognition of Grand Blanc Schools’ history of successful soccer programs for our youth, and it will surely be a welcoming economic blessing for our community if the Bucks are fortunate enough to win the host bid.”

About the Flint City Bucks
The Flint City Bucks have reached the USL League Two postseason in six consecutive seasons—every year calling Atwood Stadium home. In club history, the Bucks have 26 playoff appearances in 29 chances, four league national titles (including 2019), 12 conference championships (2025), and 17 division crowns (2025). Since their founding in 1996, the Bucks have never had a losing season.

2026 season tickets: On sale now!
One ticket, two teams, all summer long. Season-ticket holders for 2026 will receive admission to every single home match for both the Flint City Bucks (men) and Flint City AFC (women). You’ll be set for any friendlies (international and otherwise) and tournament games (including U.S. Open Cup and league playoffs). Packages start at just $125 for adults and $75 for youth ages 17 and younger.

Flint City matchday: What to expect
Flint City matches are fun, affordable, and family-friendly—showcasing some of the best semi-professional soccer talent in the country. Flint, Michigan, is widely recognized as a destination for top NCAA players looking to join MLS, NWSL, and professional leagues worldwide. The Bucks attract top prospects from almost every continent, with more than a dozen countries represented on a typical roster.

Kettering University’s Atwood Stadium is a historic gem of a stadium—worth the price of admission on its own. Game nights feature an energized, outdoor, under-the-lights soccer experience alongside a festival-like environment for all to enjoy. Kids are always welcome to have fun on the pitch at halftime and meet and greet the players post-game for autographs and pictures. Join us today and don’t miss out on elite men’s and women’s semi-professional matches right here in beautiful downtown Flint.

Key dates: A summer to remember in 2026
Another exciting summer of men’s and women’s semi-professional soccer is coming to Atwood Stadium. Flint City AFC will open its home schedule Saturday, May 16, followed by Flint City Bucks opening night Saturday, May 30. We are hosting the Open Cup first round Thursday, March 19, at Don Batchelor Stadium in downtown Grand Blanc. Our seventh annual School Day Game will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 20. Stay tuned over the coming weeks as full league schedules are announced.

Keep up with Flint City:
flintcityafc.com | Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter

flintcitybucks.com | Facebook | Instagram | X/Twitter

Connect with fellow supporters!
Join the Flint City Bucks group on Facebook.


2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - First Round 

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2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - First Round

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