Soccer Age Groups for 2026–27 Explained (Birth Year Chart)

By the CleatPal team · Updated 2026-10-27 · How we check facts

Short answer: starting in 2026–27, most U.S. youth soccer groups players by a school-year cutoff of August 1 to July 31, not by calendar birth year. To find the age group, take the year the season ends (2027) and subtract the year the child's age-group window ends: a child born between August 1, 2015 and July 31, 2016 plays U11 in 2026–27. MLS NEXT's top Homegrown Division is the main exception and still uses January 1 to December 31 birth years.

Key takeaways

US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer and AYSO moved to an August 1 to July 31 age cycle starting with the 2026–27 season. They announced it in June 2025.
Girls Academy and the MLS NEXT Academy Division also use August 1 to July 31 for 2026–27.
MLS NEXT Homegrown Division stays on calendar birth years (January 1 to December 31).
In USYS leagues and cups, U18 and U19 are combined into one U19 group.
The Olympic Development Program (ODP) stays on calendar-year groups.

What changed for 2026–27?

Through the 2025–26 season, most youth soccer in the U.S. grouped players by the calendar year they were born (January 1 to December 31). U.S. Soccer then changed its policy so that each member organization could set its own age rules.

In June 2025, US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer and AYSO announced they would move to an August 1 to July 31 cycle starting with the 2026–27 season. The goal is to put kids on teams with their classmates. US Youth Soccer said the change better fits school calendars.

For US Youth Soccer, the cycle applies to all its league and cup competitions, including National League, National Championships and Presidents Cup.

Soccer age group chart for 2026–27 (August 1 to July 31)

Use this chart for most DFW rec leagues, select teams, ECNL, ECNL RL, NPL and Girls Academy. Find your child's birth date in the right-hand column.

Age group (2026–27)	Born between
U4	Aug 1, 2022 – Jul 31, 2023
U5	Aug 1, 2021 – Jul 31, 2022
U6	Aug 1, 2020 – Jul 31, 2021
U7	Aug 1, 2019 – Jul 31, 2020
U8	Aug 1, 2018 – Jul 31, 2019
U9	Aug 1, 2017 – Jul 31, 2018
U10	Aug 1, 2016 – Jul 31, 2017
U11	Aug 1, 2015 – Jul 31, 2016
U12	Aug 1, 2014 – Jul 31, 2015
U13	Aug 1, 2013 – Jul 31, 2014
U14	Aug 1, 2012 – Jul 31, 2013
U15	Aug 1, 2011 – Jul 31, 2012
U16	Aug 1, 2010 – Jul 31, 2011
U17	Aug 1, 2009 – Jul 31, 2010
U18	Aug 1, 2008 – Jul 31, 2009
U19	Aug 1, 2007 – Jul 31, 2008

In US Youth Soccer leagues and cups, U18 and U19 play together as one U19 group, covering birth dates from August 1, 2007 to July 31, 2009.

What about the 2027–28 season?

Spring 2027 tryouts pick teams for 2027–28. For that season, add one to every age group above. A child born between August 1, 2015 and July 31, 2016 plays U11 in 2026–27 and U12 in 2027–28. Keep that in mind when you look at tryout schedules. See our 2027 tryout timeline.

How do I work out my child's age group?

Find the year the season ends. For 2026–27, that is 2027.
Find the birth year that ends your child's age window. If your child was born August through December, use the next calendar year. If born January through July, use their birth year.
Subtract. 2027 minus that year gives the "U" number.

Example: born October 2016. The window ends July 31, 2017. 2027 minus 2017 = U10.

Example: born March 2016. The window ends July 31, 2016. 2027 minus 2016 = U11.

Which leagues still use birth year (January to December)?

League or program	2026–27 age cutoff
US Youth Soccer leagues and cups	Aug 1 – Jul 31
US Club Soccer competitions (including ECNL, ECNL RL and NPL, per clubs' published notices)	Aug 1 – Jul 31
AYSO	Aug 1 – Jul 31
Girls Academy	Aug 1 – Jul 31
MLS NEXT Academy Division	Aug 1 – Jul 31
MLS NEXT Homegrown Division	Jan 1 – Dec 31 (birth year)
Olympic Development Program (ODP)	Jan 1 – Dec 31

MLS NEXT said it kept birth years in the Homegrown Division to match FIFA and the U.S. youth national teams. A boy in that division may be in a different age group than his classmates.

State associations may set their own dates, though US Youth Soccer recommends August 1 to July 31. Always check the chart on your league's own registration page.

Will my child be on a team with different teammates?

Maybe. Players born August through December moved to a younger age group compared with the old calendar-year system. Sting North Texas told families in January 2026 that some players might stay with their current team's group while others move to their own age group. It said placement would weigh technical, physical and psychological factors.

If your child's team was split or merged, ask the coach how the club handled it and where your child fits for 2027–28.

Can my child play up or down an age group?

Playing up is usually allowed, under each competition's rules.
Playing down is not allowed in US Youth Soccer national competitions (National League, National Championships and Presidents Cup), and no age variances are granted for them.
State associations may grant some variances for state play, but not for those national events.

Ask your club before you assume either is possible.

Does this affect rec soccer in DFW?

Very likely. US Youth Soccer recommends that its state associations use the August 1 cutoff, and DFW rec leagues are already listing ages that way. Our listing for Keller Soccer Association, for example, shows players born August 2007 through July 2022. Still, confirm on your city association's registration page before you sign up. You can find yours from our DFW program directory, for example Frisco, Plano, McKinney or Fort Worth.

Next step

Coaching a rec team this spring? The $29 Volunteer Coach Season Kit has 10-week practice plans for U6, U8, U10 and U12 teams. Want to try one first? Our free U6 practice plan is ready to run.