Age Group Formation (2026-27 Season)
Following extensive review and discussion, US Youth Soccer, AYSO, and US Club Soccer have collectively decided to move to an age group player formation cycle that runs from August 1 to July 31, beginning in the 2026/27 season/registration year.
This change will better align with youth soccer with the school calendar and reduce situations where players are placed in a different age group than their classmates.
For the 2025-26 season, there are no changes – age groups will continue to follow the current January 1-December 31 format. The updated cycle will take effect beginning Fall 2026.
Why the Change?
The new August-July age group cycle is designed to:
- Align youth soccer with the academic calendar
- Align with other youth sports typically grouped by graduation year
- Reduce the number of “trapped” or “forced-up” players
- Simplify communication for clubs, leagues, and families
- Support consistency across programs and levels of play
This collective decision among national youth soccer organizations creates a unified structure that better supports player development and team formation throughout the country.
Key Details & Timeline
- 2025-26 Season: No Changes – age groups remain January 1-December 31.
- 2026-27 Season: Age groups will be formed based on August 1-July 31. Clubs will transition to the new age group model during tryouts in 2026.
- The new cycle will apply across programs and competitions under US Youth Soccer, AYSO, and US Club Soccer, including the National Championship Series, Presidents Cup, and National League.
What This Means for Clubs, Teams & Families
- Starting with the 2026-27 season, players will be grouped using August 1-July 31 rather than January 1-December 31.
- Many players will remain with the same teammates and classmates they currently play with.
- Clubs and leagues will communicate any team-specific or registration updates ahead of the transition.
For the 2025-26 season, all registrations, rosters, and competitions will continue under the current structure.
Age Group Calculator
U.S. Soccer has provided a helpful Age Group Calculator that allows parents, players, and coaches to find a player’s correct age group based on their date of birth. The results are intended as a guide – please consult your club or league to confirm the most appropriate age group for the player.