Age Group Formation Update – Effective Fall 2026

Following extensive collaboration and review, US Youth Soccer, AYSO, and US Club Soccer have jointly approved a shift to an August 1 – July 31 age group formation cycle, beginning with the 2026–27 seasonal year.

This update better aligns youth soccer with the academic calendar and significantly reduces situations where players are separated from their classmates due to birthdate cutoffs.

What This Means

• 2025–26 Season: No changes. Age groups will continue to follow the current January 1 – December 31 calendar year format.
• Beginning Fall 2026: The new August 1 – July 31 formation cycle will take effect.

Why the Change?

The updated age group cycle is designed to:

• Align youth soccer with the academic (school-year) calendar
• Align with other youth sports that group players by graduation year
• Reduce the number of “trapped” or “forced-up” players
• Simplify age group communication for clubs, leagues, and families
• Provide greater consistency across programs and levels of play

This collective decision among the nation’s leading youth soccer organizations establishes a unified structure that supports player development, team formation, and long-term program stability across the country.

We will continue to share additional details as the transition approaches.

AGE GROUP	BIRTH DATE
U6	August 1, 2020 — July 31, 2021
U7	August 1, 2019 — July 31, 2020
U8	August 1, 2018 — July 31, 2019
U9	August 1, 2017 — July 31, 2018
U10	August 1, 2016 — July 31, 2017
U11	August 1, 2015 — July 31, 2016
U12	August 1, 2014 — July 31, 2015
U13	August 1, 2013 — July 31, 2014
U14	August 1, 2012 — July 31, 2013
U15	August 1, 2011 — July 31, 2012
U16	August 1, 2010 — July 31, 2011
U17	August 1, 2009 — July 31, 2010
U18	August 1, 2018 — July 31, 2009
U19	August 1, 2007 — July 31, 2008