Which players are eligible for each age group, and can they play up or down?

Age groups are set by the age a player turns in the playing year (2026 National Community Football Policy Handbook):

• Under 13: turning 11, 12 or 13
• Under 14: turning 12, 13 or 14
• Under 15: turning 13, 14 or 15
• Under 16: turning 14, 15 or 16
• Under 17: turning 15, 16 or 17
• Under 18: turning 16, 17 or 18

Playing up: a controlling body (the league or association running the competition) may let a player join a higher age group only where it finds exceptional and compelling circumstances. It must weigh the player's physical capacity, experience, skill level and social maturity.

Playing down: only through an age dispensation application for a disability or physical size considerations. It goes through the club to the controlling body, needs a parent or guardian's written consent if the player is under 18, and needs a certificate from a medical specialist completed within the previous three months.

The controlling body can ask for evidence of a player's age at any time.