Youth Soccer Age Group Changes: What You Need to Know
The youth soccer landscape is evolving to better align with international standards and optimize player development. This transition ensures that players compete in environments that are developmentally appropriate for their birth year, fostering growth, safety, and competitive balance across all age groups.
Beginning with the upcoming seasonal year, US Youth Soccer and its affiliated state associations are implementing updated age group classifications based on calendar birth years (January 1 – December 31). This shift moves away from the previous school-year model to simplify the registration process and maintain consistency with national team pathways and international competitions.
For players and families, this means that team placements will now be determined strictly by the year a player was born. While this may result in players moving to different age groups or playing with new teammates, the core objective remains the same: providing a high-quality soccer experience that emphasizes skill acquisition, teamwork, and a lifelong love for the game. We encourage all members to review the updated chart below to understand how these changes specifically impact their child's placement for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons.
Age Group Change Chart
Birth Year
U6
U7
U8
U9
U10
U11
U12
U13
U14
U15
U16
U17
U19
2025-26 Season
Born between Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020
Born between Jan 1, 2019 – Dec 31, 2019
Born between Jan 1, 2018 – Dec 31, 2018
Born between Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2017
Born between Jan 1, 2016 – Dec 31, 2016
Born between Jan 1, 2015 – Dec 31, 2015
Born between Jan 1, 2014 – Dec 31, 2014
Born between Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013
Born between Jan 1, 2012 – Dec 31, 2012
Born between Jan 1, 2011 – Dec 31, 2011
Born between Jan 1, 2010 – Dec 31, 2010
Born between Jan 1, 2010 – Dec 31, 2010
Born between Jan 1, 2007 – Dec 31, 2007
2026-27 Season
Born between Aug 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021
Born between Aug 1, 2019 – July 31, 2020
Born between Aug 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019
Born between Aug 1, 2017 – July 31, 2018
Born between Aug 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017
Born between Aug 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017
Born between Aug 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016
Born between Aug 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015
Born between Aug 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014
Born between Aug 1, 2012 – July 31, 2013
Born between Aug 1, 2011 – July 31, 2012
Born between Aug 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011
Born between Aug 1, 2009 – July 31, 2010
Born between Aug 1, 2007 – July 31, 2008
PLAYING “UP” AN AGE GROUP
Playing up is always a developmentally-based decision, not based on convenience or preference. A player may be chosen to play up if they are identified by technical staff to have:
- Exceptional technical skill
- Advanced tactical understanding
- Strong physical readiness
- Positive attitude, leadership, consistency, and commitment
Playing up is always a developmentally-based decision, not based on convenience or preference. A player may be chosen to play up if they are identified by technical staff to have:
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Player evaluations
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Player statistics
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Coach recommendations
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Technical staff determination - through direct observation or
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VEO footage
BENEFITS OF THE AGE GROUP CHANGE
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, starting with the 2026-27 season/registration year. This change was made based on additional critical feedback, data, and expert input to better align players with their school-grade peers. Our associations feel that this age group player formation will be the most inclusive and help increase participation.
-- usyouthsoccer.org June 10, 2025
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Aligns players in their appropriate age group with their
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peers and player development needs.
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Transparent and fair evaluation for all players.
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Early engagement and reduced uncertainty for current
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players and parents.
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Long term vision for player development.