2022 Challenge Cup Set!

Kicking off on Wednesday, February 2nd, the 2022 Challenge Cup will serve as the eCup's official play-in tournament for the upcoming Knockout Stage. The 2022 edition is the inaugural edition of the Challenge Cup, and this year's eCup marks the first time in tournament history that a play-in tournament is held following the group stage.

All entrants who failed to qualify for the Knockout Stage in the PlayStation and Xbox Divisions will participate in the Challenge Cup. The thirty-four competitors have been divided into ten different groups, first by division, and then by random draw. 

All groups consist of either three teams playing a single round-robin, or four teams competing in a single-elimination bracket. The winners of each group will advance to the Knockout Stage, joining the teams that have previously qualified through their Group Stage performances.

The Challenge Cup begins on Wednesday, February 2nd. Groups and group schedules are listed below.

Challenge Cup, Group A (PlayStation Premier)

Clubs: Bateaux FC (WPASL), Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USLC), Danubia SC (EPSL), Steel Army SG (USLC-SG)

Group Date: Saturday, February 5th

9:30 p.m. ET  - Bateaux FC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks

10:00 p.m. ET - Steel Army SG vs. Danubia SC

10:30 p.m. ET - Group A Final

Challenge Cup, Group B (PlayStation Premier)

Clubs: AFC Columbia (MWPL), Hoboken FC 1912 (COSMO), SPAM FC (MASL), Tulsa Athletic (NPSL)

Group Date: Thursday, February 3rd

9:30 p.m. ET - AFC Columbia vs. SPAM FC

10:00 p.m. ET - Hoboken FC 1912 vs. Tulsa Athletic

10:30 p.m. ET - Group B Final

Challenge Cup, Group C (PlayStation Premier)

Clubs: AFC Mobile (NPSL), FC Motown (NPSL/USL2)

Group Date: Thursday, February 3rd

8:00 p.m. ET - AFC Mobile vs. FC Motown

Special Note: Group C consists of two eCup entrants that were unable to participate in the Group Stage due to technical difficulties. These two entrants have been afforded the opportunity to compete in a two-leg play-off match, with the winner receiving a Knockout Stage berth.

Challenge Cup, Group D (Xbox Premier)

Clubs: Dynamo FC - St. Cloud (MASL), Forward Madison FC (USL1), Protagonist Soccer (MEDIA)

Group Date: Thursday, February 3rd

9:00 p.m. ET - Dynamo FC vs. Forward Madison FC

9:30 p.m. ET - Protagonist Soccer vs. Dynamo FC

10:00 p.m. ET - Forward Madison FC vs. Protagonist Soccer

Challenge Cup, Group E (Xbox Premier)

Clubs: Danubia SC (EPSL), Delaware Rising SC (NOSL), Orange & Black SoccerCast (MEDIA)

Group Date: Wednesday, February 2nd

8:00 p.m. ET - Delaware Rising SC vs. Danubia SC

8:30 p,m. ET - Danubia SC vs. Orange & Black SoccerCast

9:00 p.m. ET - Orange & Black SoccerCast vs. Delaware Rising SC

Challenge Cup, Group F (PlayStation Second Division)

Clubs: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USLC), Jacksonville Armada FC (NPSL), Steel Army SG (USLC-SG), The Citizens SG (NPSL/USL2-SG)

Group Date: Saturday, February 5th

8:00 p.m. ET - Switchbacks FC vs. Jacksonville Armada FC

8:30 p.m. ET - Steel Army SG vs. The Citizens SG

9:00 p.m. ET - Group F Final

Challenge Cup, Group H (PlayStation Second Division)

Clubs: Kensington SC (EPSL), Maryland Bobcats FC (NISA)

Group Date: Saturday, February 5th

6:30 p.m. ET - Maryland Bobcats FC vs. Kensington SC

Special Note: Group H only consists of two clubs as a result of an uneven division split between the PS4 & PS5 Conferences of the PlayStation Second Division. These two clubs will compete in a two-leg play-off match, with the winner receiving a Knockout Stage berth.

Challenge Cup, Group J (Xbox Second Division)

Clubs: Free Agents FC, Jacksonville Armada FC (NPSL), LCFC - The Robins (MWPL)

Group Date: Thursday, February 3rd

8:30 p.m. ET - The Robins vs. Free Agents FC

9:00 p.m. ET - Jacksonville Armada FC vs. The Robins

9:30 p.m. ET - Free Agents FC vs. Jacksonville Armada FC

Challenge Cup, Group J (Xbox Second Division)

Clubs: Orange & Black SoccerCast (MEDIA), San Antonio Runners SC (NSL), Winter Haven United (UPSL)

Group Date: Saturday, February 5th

7:00 p.m. ET - Winter Haven United vs. San Antonio Runners SC

7:30 p.m. ET - Orange & Black SoccerCast vs. Winter Haven United

8:00 p.m. ET - San Antonio Runners SC vs. Orange & Black SoccerCast