US Soccer New Age Groups Confirmed by US Club Soccer, USYS and AYSO

Big news has officially been confirmed for youth soccer in the United States! Today, US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer (USYS), and AYSO released a joint written announcement confirming what was shared last Friday at the U.S. Soccer Annual General Meeting (AGM) and in our blog post: Major Change in Youth Soccer.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 season and registration year, these organizations will transition from the current birth year registration system to an age group formation cycle based on September 1 to August 31.

Why the Change?

According to the announcement, this shift is based on a comprehensive assessment of national data and qualitative feedback. The organizations collectively determined that September 1 aligns with the majority of school district calendars across the country, making it a logical transition for youth soccer.

What Does This Mean for Players?

The primary change is that age groups will now be structured around the school year instead of birth year.
Players who wish to play up an age group will still have the flexibility to do so.
More detailed guidance will be provided on how leagues, clubs, and parents can adapt to this change.

Where to Find More Information

More resources and implementation details will be made available on the U.S. Soccer website, as well as through US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer. These organizations will be sharing guidance for leagues, clubs, teams, and parents to help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Why This Is a Positive Move

As I’ve shared in previous blog posts, I believe this change is a great step forward for youth soccer in the U.S. Aligning age groups with the school calendar will ultimately lead to a better experience for players and coaches. In the long run, this should help grow the sport by fostering more engagement, improving team cohesion, and ultimately increasing participation in youth soccer.

A huge shoutout to SoccerParenting.com for being at the forefront of getting this information out to parents. They provide amazing data-driven resources to help families navigate the youth soccer landscape, and I highly recommend following them for insightful updates.

As more details emerge, we will continue to share updates. In the meantime, be sure to check out AYSO, US Club Soccer, and US Youth Soccer for official updates and additional resources.

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