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Soccer age groups
by birth year, 2026-27

By Gabe Ramos · U.S. Soccer Coach Educator · Updated November 2026

Youth soccer age groups now run from August 1 to July 31, so a birth year alone no longer tells you the age group. Each year is split across two groups. Find your child’s birth year below and check the month.

The one thing to remember

It depends on the month: January to July is one group, August to December is the next one down.

Find your child’s age group

  • Born in 2021: January to July: U-6 (4v4).
  • Born in 2020: January to July: U-7 (4v4). August to December: U-6 (4v4).
  • Born in 2019: January to July: U-8 (4v4). August to December: U-7 (4v4).
  • Born in 2018: January to July: U-9 (7v7). August to December: U-8 (4v4).
  • Born in 2017: January to July: U-10 (7v7). August to December: U-9 (7v7).
  • Born in 2016: January to July: U-11 (9v9). August to December: U-10 (7v7).
  • Born in 2015: January to July: U-12 (9v9). August to December: U-11 (9v9).
  • Born in 2014: January to July: U-13 (11v11). August to December: U-12 (9v9).
  • Born in 2013: January to July: U-14 (11v11). August to December: U-13 (11v11).
  • Born in 2012: January to July: U-15 (11v11). August to December: U-14 (11v11).
  • Born in 2011: January to July: U-16 (11v11). August to December: U-15 (11v11).
  • Born in 2010: January to July: U-17 (11v11). August to December: U-16 (11v11).
  • Born in 2009: January to July: U-18 (11v11). August to December: U-17 (11v11).
  • Born in 2008: January to July: U-19 (11v11). August to December: U-18 (11v11).
  • Born in 2007: January to July: U-20 (11v11). August to December: U-19 (11v11).

How to read this

Take a child born in 2018. If their birthday is between January and July, they play U-9 in 2026-27. If it is between August and December, they play U-8. Two children born in the same year can be in different age groups, and that is what the new rule intends. Most classmates now play together.

What the format means

  • 4v4: U-6 to U-8. Some leagues use 5v5 at the youngest ages.
  • 7v7: U-9 and U-10.
  • 9v9: U-11 and U-12.
  • 11v11: U-13 and up.

Want the exact answer?

The age group calculator takes your child’s date of birth and shows their group for this season and next, along with the game format. Nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere.

When to check with your league

US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and AYSO all adopted the August window for 2026-27. High school soccer follows school-grade eligibility instead. If your league or town program has its own rule, its registration page will say so. When in doubt, ask the registrar.

Questions parents ask

My child was born in 2018. What age group are they?

It depends on the month. January to July 2018 is U-9 in 2026-27. August to December 2018 is U-8.

Does this chart change next season?

Yes. Everyone moves up one group each season. The calculator shows next season too.

Where do these dates come from?

The US Club Soccer age-group matrix, updated May 2026. Game formats follow U.S. Soccer’s player development initiatives.

Age group calculator ›Why the age groups changed ›What does U10 mean? ›