How are youth age groups set, and does the date differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Q: How are youth age groups set, and does the date differ between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?

From 1 April 2026 the youth age groups are Under 14, Under 16, Under 18 and Under 20 (replacing U13, U15 and U17). Under 12s and Under 10s sit outside the UKA Rules and follow home country federation guidance. The UKA competition year runs from 1 October to 30 September (fell, hill and mountain: 1 January to 31 December). The date that sets an under-18 athlete's age group depends on the nation (UKA Rule TR3 S1): Nation Operative date England and Wales 31 August at the end of the competition year (track and field, race walking, road and cross country). Hill and trail: 31 December Scotland 31 December after the end of the competition year, for all disciplines (for 2026/27, 31 December 2027) Northern Ireland 31 December at the end of the year of competition, for all disciplines For example, in England an Under 14 is aged 12 or 13 on 31 August 2027 for the 2026/27 competition year. Cross country and road races held in September that feed into next season's championships or leagues may use the following year's age groups. In track and field, Under 20s must also be under 20 on 31 December of the calendar year of competition, and Seniors are at least 20 on that date.

Question

Accepted Answer

From 1 April 2026 the youth age groups are Under 14, Under 16, Under 18 and Under 20 (replacing U13, U15 and U17). Under 12s and Under 10s sit outside the UKA Rules and follow home country federation guidance.

The UKA competition year runs from 1 October to 30 September (fell, hill and mountain: 1 January to 31 December). The date that sets an under-18 athlete's age group depends on the nation (UKA Rule TR3 S1):

Nation	Operative date
England and Wales	31 August at the end of the competition year (track and field, race walking, road and cross country). Hill and trail: 31 December
Scotland	31 December after the end of the competition year, for all disciplines (for 2026/27, 31 December 2027)
Northern Ireland	31 December at the end of the year of competition, for all disciplines

For example, in England an Under 14 is aged 12 or 13 on 31 August 2027 for the 2026/27 competition year. Cross country and road races held in September that feed into next season's championships or leagues may use the following year's age groups. In track and field, Under 20s must also be under 20 on 31 December of the calendar year of competition, and Seniors are at least 20 on that date.