METRO-ATLANTA CUP

PRESENTED BY GARRA SPORTS

WAR FOR THE CROWN

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WAR FOR THE CROWN 〰️

METRO ATLANTA’S 1ST MIDWEEK INTER-LEAGUE DOMESTIC CUP COMPETITION

FOR THE LOVE OF FOOTBALL

Taking inspiration from the domestic cup competition format in England, we are creating a new domestic cup tradition within the United States, looking to grow the sport within the country. England has a domestic trophies exclusively open to lower divisions, one being the FA Trophy open to Divisions 5-8, where Wrexham AFC made it to the final in 2022.

The Open Cup is a beautiful and historic tradition, and its great to make a deep run and that is a success story in its self as is in England in the FA Cup for the smaller clubs. Yet, wheres the opportunity for Amateur and Semi-Pro Clubs to consistently fight for the glory of lifting trophies and being crowned champions within a domestic cup. That is the gap we’re looking to passionately fill.

Become part of history and bring domestic cup glory to your club.

FOR THE CLUBS

Funding. With a low entry fee, you do not have to make a big initial expense, with a huge opportunity to make money for your club not only through the prize amount but also through the gained glory and attention that comes from success within the cup. Use this and opportunity for sponsorship, investors, sales, viewership etc. Free entry to this edition is also available to those who sign with Garra Sports as their club kit provider (Contact for details).

Matches, Matches, Matches. Exposure. We want to provide more matches for the clubs. Within the amateur and semi-pro level system we will play much less than what many clubs within the European system clubs will. Given the amount of competition they play in, European competitions, multiple domestic cups, league, promotion playoffs, etc.

Opportunity. Players within your club moving to a higher level can bring you much positive attention and even direct transfer money. Or even the opportunity for your club to move to higher levels through the exposure and attention of the cup.

Scheduling. Given the fact that our matches are midweek, we avoid taking away from your weekend fixtures and will accommodate around open cup and other scheduling complications as best as possible. Adding to your match calendar and not taking away from it.

Location. We keep the cup local to avoid the hassle of traveling extremely far distances on a week day, lowering expense and maximizing availability. This edition will be a neutral site to keep hassle to a minimum for everyone and therefore opening up availability to teams outside the Metro-Atlanta area as long as they’re able to make the drive.

FOR THE EXPeRiENCE

Passion. Many players and/or clubs have yet to experience multiple experiences within soccer, were looking to fill that void. With players watching top clubs and players playing home and away series, two-legged ties with aggergate score etc. now they can live it. This is a big goal

For players, football is measured in moments — not just seasons.

Many players in the American amateur and semi-pro system never experience the unique challenges that shape footballers elsewhere in the world. Two-legged ties. Managing a match over 180 minutes. Playing away knowing that one mistake or one goal can completely change the tie. Learning when to chase a game and when to protect an aggregate lead.

This competition is designed to provide that experience.

By introducing home-and-away series, aggregate scoring, and midweek knockout football, we’re exposing players to conditions that demand tactical awareness, mental resilience, and adaptability. These are the same competitive environments players see in English and European domestic cups — environments that accelerate growth and deepen understanding of the game.

Beyond development, there’s something deeper: perspective. Years from now, players will look back not just at the matches they played, but the nights that mattered. The away goals. The second legs. The pressure. The trophies lifted.

This is about giving players more than matches — it’s about giving them experiences that shape who they are on and off the pitch.

LOCATION

Fields Within Metro-Atlanta (The core 5 counties of Metropolitan Atlanta are Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton counties)

TEAM REQUIREMENTS

Home Location: Open due to this edition being at a Neutral Site

- Full Field 11v11, - 9 Substitutions on 6 Separate Occasions, - 40 Min Halves (10 Min Halftime), Penalties after a Tie in Regulation (NO Extra Time)

FOR THE PLAYERS

Age and Development. One day we all become to old to play football. Think about how many matches Foden will have played for Man City and England so far in his 24 years of age… 400 Matches since 2016. That’s averaging 50 matches per year. How many high level Amateur and Semi-Pro matches do you think each player in the U.S. is averaging at this age? Not enough. The place where you develop most is high level organized matches and we do not get enough of it and wonder why we cant keep up. These players are playing in in a multitude of competitions with their club and countries within a calendar year, European competitions, domestic cups, league, international cups and qualifications. We want to add one to yours to close that gap. Aside from that one day when we are too old to play we will look back, and you will wish you had played as many matches and lifted as many trophies as possible. This is your opportunity to do so, while not taking away from your weekend matches but adding matches to your week.

Exposure. We want to provide a spotlight for players to play against the best of the best of their level and get seen by professional clubs for the opportunity to chase their dreams of professional contracts. Win and get more and more eyes from those at higher levels. We will work hard to provide as much attention to you as possible.

FOR THE FANS

Culture. Football culture is built in the stands just as much as it is on the pitch. Many fans in the U.S. grow up watching European competitions and dreaming of the environments that make those matchdays special — midweek matches, local rivalries, packed touchlines, two-legged drama, and everything riding on aggregate score.

This competition is an opportunity to experience that culture locally.

We’re building an environment where fans of all levels of the game — amateur, semi-pro, youth, and lifelong supporters — can come together and experience a different side of American football. A new side of American football. Midweek matches under the lights. Home-and-away series where every goal matters. Atmospheres driven by pride, proximity, and the unwavering pursuit of silverware.

This isn’t about replicating Europe — it’s about creating our own version of that intensity here. A competition where fans feel close to the players, close to the clubs, and fully invested in the outcome. Where the drama of knockout football and aggregate scoring creates moments that stay with you long after the final whistle.

Many players and/or clubs have yet to live through the multitude of beautiful experiences within the sport. We’re looking to fill that void. With fans watching top clubs and world-renowned players competing in home-and-away series, the drama of two-legged ties with aggregate score , and so many other unique aspects, they can now live it. This is a big goal of Garra Sports’s MA Cup.

A SWISS TWISST

THE SWISS FORMAT | WIN TWO ➡ KNOCK-OUT STAGE | LOSE TWO ➡ KNOCKED OUT

(Matchups Determined as so: Neutral Location Round: Teams Located Furthest From Eachother; Home & Away Aggergate Series: Teams Located Closest to Eachother) - Round 1 Neutral Location 1 Leg - Round 2: Two-Legged Aggergate Series; Match-Up: Winners Play Each-Other (1-0 vs 1-0) Winner qualifies directly to Semi-Final (2-0) Loser goes to “Last Chance Round” (1-1) , Losers Play Eachother (0-1 vs 0-1) Winners qualify for “Last Chance Round” (1-1) Losers are Eliminated (0-2) - Last Chance Round (1-1 vs 1-1) Losers are Eliminated, Winners qualify for Semi-Finals - Semi-Finals: Two-Legged Aggergate Series (2-1 vs 2-0) Winners qualify for the Final, Losers are Eliminated - Final Winner is Crowned Champion and receive first place prize, Loser is 2nd Place and receives its awards for being a finalist, Third Place Match Will Take Place and Winner will also receive a prize. *See Prize Information Below*

2025 WINTER MINI EDITION

SCHEDULE

Each Club will play one match per week throughout December on either a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night, with a possible bye week if you win two in a row.