What age group
is my child in?

Youth soccer age groups changed for the 2026-27 season. US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and AYSO now form age groups from August 1 to July 31 instead of by calendar year, so a fall birthday no longer moves a child up a group. Enter a date of birth and get the answer for this season and next, with the game format they play.

Child’s date of birth

Nothing is stored or sent anywhere. The calculation happens on your device.

2026-27 seasonU-9

Next season, 2027-28U-10

Game format7v7

Field players6 + keeper

Typical grade3rd

Last season’s ruleU-10

The chart, both seasons

The left column is the calendar-year rule that ended with 2025-26. The right column is the new August-to-July window in force from 2026-27. Your child’s row is highlighted after you use the calculator.

Age group	2025-26 (old rule)	2026-27 (new rule)	Format
U-6	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2020	Aug 1, 2020 – Jul 31, 2021	4v4
U-7	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2019	Aug 1, 2019 – Jul 31, 2020	4v4
U-8	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2018	Aug 1, 2018 – Jul 31, 2019	4v4
U-9	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2017	Aug 1, 2017 – Jul 31, 2018	7v7
U-10	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2016	Aug 1, 2016 – Jul 31, 2017	7v7
U-11	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2015	Aug 1, 2015 – Jul 31, 2016	9v9
U-12	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2014	Aug 1, 2014 – Jul 31, 2015	9v9
U-13	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2013	Aug 1, 2013 – Jul 31, 2014	11v11
U-14	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2012	Aug 1, 2012 – Jul 31, 2013	11v11
U-15	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2011	Aug 1, 2011 – Jul 31, 2012	11v11
U-16	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2010	Aug 1, 2010 – Jul 31, 2011	11v11
U-17	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2009	Aug 1, 2009 – Jul 31, 2010	11v11
U-18	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2008	Aug 1, 2008 – Jul 31, 2009	11v11
U-19	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2007	Aug 1, 2007 – Jul 31, 2008	11v11
U-20	Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2006	Aug 1, 2006 – Jul 31, 2007	11v11

Source: US Club Soccer age-group matrix, updated May 2026. Game formats follow U.S. Soccer’s player development initiatives: 4v4 through U-8, 7v7 at U-9 and U-10, 9v9 at U-11 and U-12, 11v11 from U-13. Some leagues use 5v5 at the youngest ages.

Questions parents ask

What does the U mean?

“Under.” U-10 means the players are under 10 for the season, by the cutoff rule. It says nothing about ability; it is only the birth-date window a child is registered in.

Why did the cutoff change?

From 2017 to 2026 age groups followed the calendar year, which split school classes: a child born in September played a year above most of their classmates. From the 2026-27 season the three national youth organizations went back to an August 1 to July 31 window, so age groups line up with school years again.

My child has a fall birthday. Why didn’t they move up this year?

Because the window moved with them. A child born in October 2017 was U-9 in 2025-26 under the calendar rule and is U-9 again in 2026-27 under the August rule. They have not lost a year; the groups shifted around them. Most of their classmates are now in the same group, which is the point of the change.

Can my child play up?

Usually yes, one age group, with the club’s approval. Playing down is not allowed in registered play except for documented developmental reasons. Ask your club before you assume either.

Does every league use this?

US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer (including the state associations such as ENYYSA) and AYSO all adopted the August window for 2026-27. High school soccer follows school-grade eligibility, not these groups. If your league or town program has its own rule, its registration page will say so; when in doubt, ask the registrar.

What proof of age do we need?

A birth certificate or passport at first registration. Clubs keep it on file, and the player card carries the birth year, so opponents and referees can check it at games.

Now that you know the group

Every curriculum on this site is written for a specific age band, with a video of every activity. U-6 to U-8 is the Ages 4–8 intramural season. U-9 to U-12 is the Ages 9–12 travel season for 7v7 and 9v9. U-13 and up is the Ages 13–18 11v11 season.

See the coaching toolsWeek 1 of the 4–8 and 9–12 seasons is free