2026 American Cup: Field, schedule, how to watch

The first American Cup since 2020 will feature a new mixed team format with eight countries competing.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The 2026 American Cup is set for Saturday, March 7 at Lee's Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada. This will be the first American Cup since 2020, with Team USA headlining a field of eight countries competing in a new mixed team event format. The Nastia Liukin Cup will be held earlier in the day before the main American Cup competition takes place in the evening.

Why it matters

The American Cup is one of the most prestigious annual gymnastics events, showcasing top talent from around the world. The new mixed team format is a first-of-its-kind event, adding an extra layer of excitement and strategy as countries vie to advance through the three-round competition.

The details

The American Cup will feature a total of six rotations across three rounds, with each round seeing a reduced field. In each rotation, there will be one men's routine and one women's routine from each of the remaining teams. Teams must select each apparatus twice across all rounds, and an athlete cannot repeat an apparatus. Combined scores of all four routines in a round determine which teams advance.

  • The 2026 American Cup will take place on Saturday, March 7.
  • The Nastia Liukin Cup will be held earlier that same day, starting at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.
  • Podium training sessions for the American Cup will be held on Friday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. Eastern.

The players

Asher Hong

A member of the U.S. team, Hong is one of three Olympians competing for the Americans.

Yul Moldauer

Another Olympian on the U.S. team, Moldauer brings valuable international experience.

Hezly Rivera

The third Olympian on the U.S. team, Rivera will be a key contributor in the new mixed team format.

Daiki Hashimoto

The most decorated athlete in the field, Hashimoto leads a strong Japanese team with three Olympians.

Zhang Qingying

The reigning world balance beam champion and all-around bronze medalist, Zhang is part of a young but talented Chinese team.

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What they’re saying

“This is a new format, so it's hard to predict how the American Cup will shake out. Historically, when it was an all-around competition, the U.S. was overwhelmingly dominant, but this is new territory. Every routine matters, and a fall could be the difference between advancing or being eliminated.”

— Vitaliy Guimaraes (gymnastics-now.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The 2026 American Cup's new mixed team format adds an exciting layer of strategy and unpredictability to the prestigious event, with the U.S., Japan, and China among the top medal contenders if they can deliver consistent performances across both the men's and women's competitions.