By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
February 23, 2026-What’s fascinating about the State Cup in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) is there is something new every spring.
For 2026, there are actually two new items. First, US Youth Soccer has renamed the State Open Cup and it’s now called the US Youth Soccer ENYYSA State Cup Championship. The second new thing is it’s scheduled to kick off in February for the first time ever to help get all the games played before six rounds (not in every age group) conclude with the championship games on Saturday, May 30.
The US Youth Soccer ENYYSA State Cup Championship is for the top teams and it’s the pathway to Nationals. There are no Regionals anymore and State Cup champion teams go directly to Nationals. 206 teams, both boys and girls squads, are playing in the Under-12 to Under-17 age groups with registration still continuing for the Under-18 and 19 age bracket as that group can use college players and will kick off in May.
109 teams are playing in the Challenge Cup, which is for all teams at Under-10 and Under-11 as there is not a State Open Cup in those age groups. For Under-12 and Under-13, it’s for mid- to lower-tier squads.
For more info on the State Cup, please call Eastern New York at 516-766-0849.
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border, east of Route 81. ENYYSA encourages the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of US Soccer and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/