AGE GROUP CHANGE
OVERVIEW
Effective August 1st (the 2026-27 soccer season), US Youth Soccer (AYSA's sanctioning partner), in addition to other youth soccer organizations, have decided to switch to a school-year based age group system. This change affects the method by which AYSA clubs form teams, as today, a "birth year" method is utilized. The new "school year" method will be August 1 – July 31.
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NEXT STEPS
To provide our youth soccer community resources and information, this page will be utilized to compile relevant materials related to this upcoming change. It's AYSA's position that clubs should proactively communicate information regarding this change as they see fit.
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REASONS FOR THE CHANGE
US Youth Soccer and other youth soccer organizations have cited several reasons for the change. The main reason being playing with schoolmates. While especially relevant with a child's entry into soccer, the main reason why children enter the sport is to be with their friends. In the current model, a player born in December would not be on the same team as their schoolmate born in January.
OUR STAFF
