Which age group will my child play in for 2026-27?
Rule- USA
- US Youth Soccer
- US Soccer small-sided standards
- Under 8
- Under 10
- Recreational and club
- 2026-27 season
- Parents
From the 2026-27 season, US Youth Soccer, AYSO and US Club Soccer form age groups on an August 1 - July 31 cycle, so players are grouped more like school grades. (Until 2025-26, groups used calendar birth year.)
| Age group | Born |
|---|---|
| U7 | Aug 1, 2019 - Jul 31, 2020 |
| U8 | Aug 1, 2018 - Jul 31, 2019 |
| U9 | Aug 1, 2017 - Jul 31, 2018 |
| U10 | Aug 1, 2016 - Jul 31, 2017 |
- Placement goes by date of birth, not school grade. A child who was held back or skipped a grade is placed by birth date.
- "U" plus an age means that age and younger.
- State associations can set their own dates for state programs, but US Youth Soccer recommends August 1 - July 31, and its regional and national competitions all use it.
Added 21 Oct 2026