Which age group am I in, and can I play up?
Rule- England
- England Football
- The FA
- Women's and girls' football
- Youth football
- Mixed football
- Grassroots
- 2026/27
- Players
- Under 7-Open age
Under FA Rules C157 to C161 (2026/27 FA Handbook), your age group is set by your age at midnight on 31 August at the start of the season:
| Age on 31 August | Age group |
|---|---|
| 6 (or turning 6 during the season) | Under 7 |
| 7 | Under 8 |
| 8 | Under 9 |
| and so on up to 17 | Under 18 |
- Children under 6 must not play in matches of any kind.
- Playing up: you may play in the age group immediately above your own, even if it plays a bigger format. The exception is a child who turns 6 after 31 August, who can only play Under 7 that season.
- Two-year rule: if you were under 15 on 31 August, you can't play in a match where any other player is two or more years older or younger than you. The FA can make exceptions, for example for disabled players.
- Playing down is only allowed with FA permission, or for girls in all-female teams under the rule that lets them play one age group down in a mixed competition.
- To play in an Under 18 competition you must have been at least 15 on 31 August.
Added 21 Oct 2026