The 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship (2025 Men’s College Cup) represents one of the most anticipated postseason tournaments in collegiate athletics, culminating with the Men’s College Cup semifinals and final on December 12 and 15, 2025 at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
The 48-team single-elimination tournament features defending national champion Vermont seeking to repeat as the tournament’s only undefeated team, facing fierce competition from traditional powerhouses and emerging programs.
2025 Men’s College Cup Championship Seeds and Bracket Projection
The 2025 Men’s College Cup promises compelling soccer with Vermont’s historic defense against hungry championship programs. With only one undefeated team and multiple championship-caliber programs, the tournament will showcase elite collegiate soccer from November 20 through December 15 at WakeMed Soccer Park.
The stage is set for another memorable championship, whether Vermont completes their unlikely repeat or a traditional powerhouse reclaims the title.
Top Four Seeds
Based on the official NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Committee selection announced on November 17, 2025:
| Seed | Team | Record | Conference | Notable Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont Catamounts | 14-0-5 | America East | Defending National Champions (2024) – Only undefeated team; highest winning percentage (.868) in nation |
| 2 | Virginia Cavaliers | 12-2-4 | ACC | 7-time National Champions – Highest-ranked returning team from 2024 |
| 3 | Princeton Tigers | 15-1-2 | Ivy League | Seeking the first men’s soccer championship – Strong regular season performance |
| 4 | Maryland Terrapins | 12-1-3 | Big Ten | 4-time National Champions – Consistent championship contender |
Conference Automatic Qualifiers
Twenty-two conference champions automatically qualified for the tournament, with 26 additional at-large teams selected. The top 16 teams received first-round byes, with lower seeds competing in the first round on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
2025 Men’s College Cup Tournament Schedule and Dates
In mid-November, the 48-team bracket was revealed, with automatic spots going to conference champions and the rest filled through at-large selections.
The top 16 national seeds got a pass straight to round two, while the others faced off in first-round campus-site games. The NCAA released the official bracket and schedule right after the selection show.
- What: 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s College Cup (semifinals + final).
- When: December 12 & 15, 2025.
- Where: First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, North Carolina.
- Field size/format: 48-team NCAA DI tournament; top 16 seeds receive byes to the second round, with the final four meeting in Cary for the College Cup weekend.
2025 Men’s College Cup Tournament Timeline
| Round | Dates | Format | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | Thursday, November 20 | 16 games at campus sites | Higher-seeded team host |
| Second Round | Sunday, November 23 | 16 games at campus sites | Higher-seeded team host |
| Third Round | Saturday-Sunday, November 29-30 | 8 games at campus sites | Higher-seeded team host |
| Quarterfinals | Friday-Saturday, December 5-6 | 4 games at campus sites | Higher-seeded team host |
| Men’s College Cup Semifinals | Friday, December 12 | 2 semifinal games | WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, NC |
| National Championship Final | Monday, December 15 | Championship match | WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, NC |
- Broadcasting: ESPNU will provide live coverage of the semifinals and final.
The defending champion & context
Vermont entered 2025 as the reigning national champion after their dramatic overtime win in the 2024 College Cup, a breakthrough title for the Catamounts and a reminder that the NCAA tournament still rewards late-season momentum and tactical discipline. Expect mid-majors with strong tournament form to be taken seriously this season.
- Unseeded tournament entry despite an incredible regular season (15-2-6 record)
- Defeated two top-4 seeds in the tournament: No. 2 seed Pittsburgh and No. 3 seed Denver
- Penalty kick victory over Denver in semifinals (1-1, 4-3 on penalties)
- Comeback win against Marshall in the championship match
Top seeds & contenders (who to watch) – 2025 Season Dominance
The NCAA’s seeded teams form the backbone of title predictions. While the full 16-seed list is available in the official bracket, here are the storylines around the favorites: Vermont enters the 2025 Men’s College Cup tournament with remarkable credentials:
- 14-0-5 record – Only undefeated team in Division I
- Highest winning percentage (.868) in the nation
- America East Conference Championship – Both regular-season and tournament titles
- Historic three-year tournament run: Won 9 NCAA tournament games over three years (most of any program)
- Second-half dominance: Outscored opponents 17-6 in second halves over the last three NCAA tournaments
- Undefeated in extra time: 3-0-1 record in extra-time matches (NCAA tournaments, last three years)
Vermont’s Path to Championship
Confidence matters. If they repeat the defensive solidity and late-game resilience that carried them in 2024, they’ll be a handful again.
- 16-time America East champions in program history
- First America East team ever to reach the national championship game in a team sport (2024)
- Strong defensive identity with excellent goalkeeper Niklas Herceg
Other Championship Contenders
Virginia Cavaliers (No. 2 Seed)
Record: 12-2-4 | Conference: ACC | Head Coach: George Gelson
Virginia enters the tournament with seven national championships, the most of any returning program. Fresh off an ACC Championship win and boasting an impressive list of notable victories, the Cavaliers are setting their sights on claiming an eighth title.
Key Strengths:
- Tournament experience from the 2024 postseason
- ACC Championship credentials
- Strong defensive structure
Princeton Tigers (No. 3 Seed)
Record: 15-1-2 | Conference: Ivy League | Head Coach: Jim Barringer
Princeton brings an exceptional regular season record searching for their first NCAA Division I men’s soccer national championship. The Tigers dominated Ivy League play with only one loss.
Key Strengths:
- Near-perfect regular season (15-1-2)
- Ivy League championship
- Seeking historic first title
Maryland Terrapins (No. 4 Seed)
Record: 12-1-3 | Conference: Big Ten | Head Coach: Sasho Cirovski
Maryland comes in as a four-time national champion, bringing championship pedigree and plenty of experience. The Terrapins blend their rich tournament history with an impressive 2025 Men’s College Cup performance.
Key Strengths:
- Multiple national championships
- Big Ten competition exposure
- Experienced tournament roster
Notable First-Round and Early Tournament Matchups
Key First-Round Games (November 20)
| Matchup | Seed | Notable Information |
|---|---|---|
| Duke vs. Fairleigh Dickinson | Duke (No. 7) | Blue Devils seeking title |
| Cornell vs. Lafayette | Cornell (No. 11) | Ivy League vs. Patriot League |
| Denver vs. UC Irvine | Denver (No. 10) | 2024 runner-up Denver returns |
| Clemson vs. Western Michigan | Clemson (No. 14) | ACC representative |
| Michigan vs. Notre Dame | Michigan (No. 15) | Big Ten vs. Independent |
| North Carolina vs. North Florida | North Carolina (No. 16) | Historic program seeking title |
| Syracuse vs. Hofstra | Syracuse (No. 8) | ACC tournament success |
Championship Venue: WakeMed Soccer Park
Facility Excellence
WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, hosts the Men’s College Cup for the tenth time:
- Location: Cary, North Carolina (Raleigh-Durham area)
- Stadium: First Horizon Stadium
- Capacity: 10,000 seats
- Soccer-specific venue: Premier collegiate championship site
- Amenities: World-class facilities for semifinals and finals
The venue offers a perfect championship setting, boasting top-notch pitch quality and an incredible fan atmosphere.
Historical Context and Records
Previous Champions (Recent Years)
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Vermont | Marshall | 2-1 (OT) | Cary, NC |
| 2023 | Clemson | Notre Dame | 2-1 | Louisville, KY |
| 2022 | Syracuse | Indiana | 2-2 (PK) | Cary, NC |
| 2021 | Clemson | Washington | 2-0 | Cary, NC |
Most Successful Programs
- Clemson: 4-time national champions
- Virginia: 7-time national champions
- Maryland: 4-time national champions
- St. Louis: 10-time national champions (most ever)
- Stanford: Multiple championships
- Indiana: Traditional powerhouse
Tournament Format and Selection
48-Team Field Composition
The 2025 Men’s College Cup tournament features:
- 22 automatic conference bids (one per conference champion)
- 26 at-large selections by the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Committee
- The top 16 seeded teams receive first-round byes
- Single-elimination format through the national championship
Selection Criteria
The committee considered:
- Conference championships (automatic qualification)
- Strength of schedule and RPI ratings
- Head-to-head results against quality opponents
- Regional representation for bracket balance
Key Narratives Heading into the College Cup
Vermont’s Historic Defense
Defending champion Vermont is aiming to become just the second team in recent history to win back-to-back national titles, hoping to extend their incredible Cinderella story that began with their first-ever championship in 2024.
Competition Depth
With only one undefeated team (Vermont), the tournament is incredibly competitive. Multiple programs enter as championship contenders:
- Virginia – Seven-time champion seeking eighth title
- Princeton – Pursuing historic first championship after dominant regular season
- Maryland – Four-time champion with tournament experience
- Clemson – Recent back-to-back champion (2021, 2023)
Geographic Diversity
Representation from all regions:
- ACC: Virginia, SMU, Clemson, and others
- Big Ten: Maryland, Michigan, and others
- Ivy League: Princeton, Cornell, Pennsylvania
- America East: Vermont, Bryant
- Sun Belt: Marshall, UCF
- Pac-12/Mountain: Denver, UCLA, Stanford
Tournament Predictions and Favorites
Championship Contenders
Tier 1 (Favorites):
- Vermont – Undefeated, defending champions, tournament experience
- Virginia – Championship pedigree, seven titles, strong resume
- Princeton – Near-perfect record, Ivy League dominance
Tier 2 (Strong Contenders):
- Maryland – Four-time champions, tournament experience
- Clemson – Recent back-to-back champion (2021, 2023)
- Stanford – Historic program with championship tradition
Broadcast & tickets
- TV: ESPN networks (ESPNU / ESPN2 / ESPN+) will carry the College Cup broadcasts. Confirm broadcast times on ESPN schedules.
- Tickets: Tickets and event info are available via NCAA ticket portals for the Men’s College Cup in Cary. If you plan to attend, check the official ticket page for availability.