For parents & club directors
What age group is my child in?
Youth soccer age groups changed for the 2026-27 season. US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and AYSO now form age groups from August 1 to July 31 instead of by calendar year, so a fall birthday no longer moves a child up a group. Enter a date of birth to see this season’s age group, next season’s, and the game format they’ll play.
Nothing is stored or sent anywhere. The calculation happens on your device.
The chart, both seasons
The middle column is the calendar-year rule that ended with 2025-26. The right column is the August-to-July window in force from 2026-27. Your child’s row is highlighted after you use the calculator.
| Age group | 2025-26 (old rule) | 2026-27 (new rule) | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-6 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2020 | Aug 1, 2020 – Jul 31, 2021 | 4v4 |
| U-7 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2019 | Aug 1, 2019 – Jul 31, 2020 | 4v4 |
| U-8 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2018 | Aug 1, 2018 – Jul 31, 2019 | 4v4 |
| U-9 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2017 | Aug 1, 2017 – Jul 31, 2018 | 7v7 |
| U-10 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2016 | Aug 1, 2016 – Jul 31, 2017 | 7v7 |
| U-11 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2015 | Aug 1, 2015 – Jul 31, 2016 | 9v9 |
| U-12 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2014 | Aug 1, 2014 – Jul 31, 2015 | 9v9 |
| U-13 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2013 | Aug 1, 2013 – Jul 31, 2014 | 11v11 |
| U-14 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2012 | Aug 1, 2012 – Jul 31, 2013 | 11v11 |
| U-15 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2011 | Aug 1, 2011 – Jul 31, 2012 | 11v11 |
| U-16 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2010 | Aug 1, 2010 – Jul 31, 2011 | 11v11 |
| U-17 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2009 | Aug 1, 2009 – Jul 31, 2010 | 11v11 |
| U-18 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2008 | Aug 1, 2008 – Jul 31, 2009 | 11v11 |
| U-19 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2007 | Aug 1, 2007 – Jul 31, 2008 | 11v11 |
| U-20 | Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2006 | Aug 1, 2006 – Jul 31, 2007 | 11v11 |
Source: US Club Soccer age-group matrix, updated May 2026. Game formats follow U.S. Soccer’s player development initiatives: 4v4 through U-8, 7v7 at U-9 and U-10, 9v9 at U-11 and U-12, 11v11 from U-13. Some leagues use 5v5 at the youngest ages.
Questions parents ask
It stands for “under.” A U-10 player is in the under-10 age group for that season, based on their birth date. It describes the birth-date window a player registers in, not their ability.
From 2017 through the 2025-26 season, age groups followed the calendar year, which split school classes: a child born in the fall often played a year above most of their classmates. Starting with the 2026-27 season, US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and AYSO moved back to an August 1 to July 31 window, so age groups line up with school years again.
Because the window moved with them. A child born in October 2017 was U-9 in 2025-26 under the calendar-year rule and is U-9 again in 2026-27 under the August rule. They haven’t lost a year; the groups shifted around them, and most of their classmates are now in the same group.
Usually yes, one age group, with the club’s approval. Playing down generally isn’t allowed in registered play except for documented developmental reasons. Check with your club first.
US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer (including state associations such as ENYYSA) and AYSO all adopted the August 1 window starting in 2026-27. High school soccer goes by school grade, not these age groups. If your league or town program uses its own rule, its registration page will say so; when in doubt, ask the registrar.
A birth certificate or passport at first registration. Clubs keep it on file, and player cards show the birth year so opponents and referees can check it at games.
Our holiday and summer camps are for players ages 5 to 14, and we run club training with partner clubs for players ages 2 to 18. See camp dates or contact us with any questions.
Now that you know the group
Royal Sporting camps are for players ages 5–14 across Long Island, and we train with partner clubs for ages 2–18.