Soccer age group for players born 2017
A player born 2017 plays U9 for the 2026-27 season if born August through December 2017, and U10 if born January through July 2017, under the new US August 1 - July 31 system used by US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, AYSO, and MLS NEXT Academy.
Season-by-season chart
| Season | US: born Aug-Dec 2017 | US: born Jan-Jul 2017 | Canada / birth-year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | U8 | U9 | U9 |
| 2026-27 | U9 | U10 | U10 |
| 2027-28 | U10 | U11 | U11 |
| 2028-29 | U11 | U12 | U12 |
What this means for 2017-born players
Players born August 1, 2017 through July 31, 2018 are U9 for the 2026-27 season under the new US system. Players born January 1, 2017 through July 31, 2017 are U10 for the 2026-27 season. Under the old birth-year system, all 2017-born players were together in the same U-group; under the new seasonal system they split at the August 1 cutoff, which now matches the US school-grade calendar in most states.
Game format
U9 plays 7v7 with a size 4 ball. U10 plays 7v7 with a size 4 ball.
Frequently asked questions
What soccer age group is a child born in 2017?+
A player born 2017 plays U9 for the 2026-27 season if born August through December 2017, and U10 if born January through July 2017, under the new US August 1 - July 31 system. Under Canada Soccer's birth-year system, all 2017-born players are U10.
What game format does a 2017-born player play in 2026-27?+
2017-born players born Aug-Dec play 7v7; those born Jan-Jul play 7v7.
Does the age system change how a 2017-born player is grouped?+
Yes. Under the old US birth-year system, all 2017-born players were in the same group. Under the new US seasonal system starting 2026-27, they split at the August 1 birthdate.
What ball size does a 2017-born player use?+
2017-born players in the 2026-27 season use size 4 (Aug-Dec births) or size 4 (Jan-Jul births).
Are 2017-born players affected by heading rules?+
Yes. US Soccer bans heading in games and training for players U11 and younger. Some 2017-born players still fall inside that window in 2026-27.
Does this change for Canada Soccer?+
No. Canada Soccer keeps the birth-year (January 1 - December 31) system. All 2017-born players are U10 for the 2026-27 season under Canada Soccer.