Youth Soccer Age Group Calculator
Enter your child's birth month and year to see their exact age group for the 2026-27 soccer season under the new August 1 - July 31 system.
A player born June 2016 is U11 for the 2026-27 season under US Youth Soccer(August 1 - July 31 system). Game format: 9v9. With goalkeeper and build-out line. Ball size 4. Two 30-minute halves.
Compared to the old birth-year system (U11), this player moves up under the new seasonal system.
2026-27 Youth Soccer Age Matrix
Age groups for the 2026-27 season under the new US August 1 - July 31 system (US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, AYSO, MLS NEXT Academy).
| Age group | Birth window (US, 2026-27) | Game format | Ball |
|---|---|---|---|
| U6 | August 1, 2020 - July 31, 2021 | 4v4 | Size 3 |
| U7 | August 1, 2019 - July 31, 2020 | 4v4 | Size 3 |
| U8 | August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2019 | 4v4 | Size 3 |
| U9 | August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018 | 7v7 | Size 4 |
| U10 | August 1, 2016 - July 31, 2017 | 7v7 | Size 4 |
| U11 | August 1, 2015 - July 31, 2016 | 9v9 | Size 4 |
| U12 | August 1, 2014 - July 31, 2015 | 9v9 | Size 4 |
| U13 | August 1, 2013 - July 31, 2014 | 11v11 | Size 5 |
| U14 | August 1, 2012 - July 31, 2013 | 11v11 | Size 5 |
| U15 | August 1, 2011 - July 31, 2012 | 11v11 | Size 5 |
| U16 | August 1, 2010 - July 31, 2011 | 11v11 | Size 5 |
| U17 | August 1, 2009 - July 31, 2010 | 11v11 | Size 5 |
| U18 | August 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009 | 11v11 | Size 5 |
| U19 | August 1, 2007 - July 31, 2008 | 11v11 | Size 5 |
Source: US Soccer age group rules for the 2026-27 season.
What changed for 2026-27
Effective with the 2026-27 season, US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, AYSO, and the MLS NEXT Academy Division moved from a calendar-year (January 1 - December 31) age system back to a seasonal-year (August 1 - July 31) system. The change aligns youth soccer with the US school-grade calendar and eliminates the trapped-player problem, in which players born August through December were split from their classmates and often placed a full year older than their school peers.
Under the new system a player born August through December generally moves down one age group, while a player born January through Julygenerally moves up one age group. Canada Soccer and the MLS NEXT Homegrown Division continue to use birth-year (January 1 - December 31).
Frequently asked questions
What is the new soccer age group system for 2026-27?
US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, AYSO, and the MLS NEXT Academy division are moving from a calendar-year (January 1 - December 31) age system to a seasonal-year (August 1 - July 31) system starting with the 2026-27 season.
Why did US soccer change age groups back to a school-year system?
The August 1 - July 31 window aligns youth soccer with the US school-grade calendar so teammates are usually classmates. It also fixes the trapped-player problem, in which players born in the second half of a calendar year were split from their school peers.
Does the age change affect Canada Soccer?
No. Canada Soccer continues to use a calendar-year (January 1 - December 31) age system. The August 1 - July 31 change applies to US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, AYSO, and the MLS NEXT Academy division.
Does MLS NEXT follow the new age group system?
The MLS NEXT Academy Division follows the seasonal-year (August 1 - July 31) system starting 2026-27. The MLS NEXT Homegrown Division stays on birth-year.
How do I know if my child moves up or down under the new system?
If your child was born August through December, they generally move down a group under the new seasonal system. If they were born January through July, they generally move up a group. The calculator above tells you exactly.
What age group is a player born in October 2016 for 2026-27?
A player born October 2016 is U10 for the 2026-27 season under the new US seasonal-year system. Under the old birth-year system they would have been U11.
What is the age group for a player born in March 2016 for 2026-27?
A player born March 2016 is U11 for the 2026-27 season under the new US seasonal-year system.
Does my child have to play in their birth-based age group?
In most leagues, players may play up (older) with a coach or director's approval. Playing down (younger) is generally not permitted except in special cases.