If your inbox is filling up with “Important: 2026–27 age‑group update” emails, you’re not alone. Youth soccer is shifting back to school‑year age groups for most players starting with the 2026–27 season, and families are finally starting to see what that means on the ground.
From birth year to school year
For years, most U.S. youth soccer has grouped players by birth year: January 1 to December 31. Beginning with the 2026–27 season, the major participation organizations are moving to a school‑year cut‑off: August 1 to July 31. That means your child’s “soccer age” will be based on how old they are on July 31 of that seasonal year, not December 31.
Many teams will effectively become “grade‑year” teams again, with most players in the same school grade or within one year. Players born between August and December are the ones most likely to see a noticeable change in age group or teammates.
Who is driving the change?
The move back to school‑year groupings is being driven nationally by:
US Youth Soccer (USYS)
US Club Soccer
AYSO
Many leagues and club alliances that follow those sanctioning bodies.
U.S. Soccer removed its birth‑year mandate in late 2024, which opened the door for these organizations to return to a structure they believe better fits school life and participation. Leaders hope this will reduce the number of “trapped” players caught between age groups and make it easier for kids to play with their peers socially and academically. It should also make administration easier, as clubs and leagues can build tryouts and rosters around one consistent school‑year cycle.
What about MLS NEXT?
MLS NEXT is taking a split approach. Starting in 2026–27, the Allstate Homegrown Division (the pro‑pathway side) will stay on birth‑year age groups, January 1 to December 31, to align with FIFA and national team structures. The Academy Division (where most MLS NEXT‑branded youth teams play) will switch to school‑year age groups, August 1 to July 31, to align with the rest of youth soccer.