As announced previously, the major National Youth Soccer Associations – US Youth Soccer (USYS), American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), and US Club Soccer – have agreed to adopt an age group formation cycle running from August 1 to July 31, beginning with each organization’s 2026–2027 season/registration year. The State Associations within which NCSL operates have adopted the same registration schedule, as required.

Accordingly, beginning in August 2026 for the 2026–27 season/registration year, NCSL will also adopt the August 1 to July 31 age groupings.

The following table shows the relevant age groupings for the 2026–27 season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this change being made?

The entire U.S. soccer ecosystem was unified under an August 1 to July 31 age-group registration system until 2017. In that year, U.S. Soccer mandated that all teams switch to a calendar-year system to align with the registration systems used for national teams across the world. That calendar-year system has not translated well in the United States, where registrations are more often school based, both at the grade school and college levels. It also created a large pool of “trapped” players who were unable to register in 8th and 12th grades. U.S. Soccer revised its policy this past year, and the major national associations determined that a return to the prior school-year–based system was warranted.

My child has a birthday after August 1. Is he or she required to repeat an age group?

Not necessarily. Players are encouraged to play within their assigned age groups, but a club has the authority to decide whether to “play a player up” with an older age group. No player may play “down” with a younger age group.

My child is a year behind age level in school. Can they play with their school grade?

No. The new system is commonly referred to as a “grade-level” system, and in most cases it will align with grade level, but a player may not play on a team that is below where their birth year would place them.

Is my team required to change?

All registrations must be made on the August–July system, so yes, every team must follow the mandate. However, clubs may choose to register their 2025–26 teams with the same rosters in 2026–27. In that case, any players born between August 1 and December 31 would simply play up a year. All teams should consult with their clubs regarding club policy.

Will NCSL prevent my player from playing up?

No. NCSL provides flexibility to clubs to make all player placement decisions. As long as no player plays below their assigned age group, the club may place each player on the team that is most appropriate for the player.

When does the new policy go into effect?

The new policy goes into effect for the 2026–27 seasonal year, which begins in August 2026.

Is recreational soccer also affected by this policy?

Yes. All soccer registrations under U.S. Soccer–affiliated organizations are affected by this mandatory policy.