Age Groups have changed for the 2026 season
U.S. Soccer has announced a significant update to youth soccer age group registrations, effective with the
2026-2027 season.
US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and AYSO are shifting from the current calendar birth year system to a school-year age group system (August 1 – July 31).
What This Means for SBSA:
This change aligns soccer teams with school grade levels allowing more children to play with their classmates.
- When does this start? The change takes effect for the Fall 2026 season.
- How does it impact my player? Many players will shift age groups. Players born in the last 5 months of the year (August–December) will likely move to a younger, more appropriate group.
Key Changes & What Families Need to Know
- New Cutoff Date: August 1st is the new dividing line for age group eligibility.
- Birth Year Change: Players born August 1 – December 31 will generally move "down" to a younger age group, aligning them with their classmates.