2026/2027 Updated Decision on Age Group Formation

Following extensive review and discussion, US Youth Soccer, AYSO, and US Club Soccer have collectively decided to move to an age group player formation cycle that runs from August 1 to July 31, starting with the 2026-27 season/registration year.

This change was made based on additional critical feedback, data, and expert input to better align players with their school-grade peers. Our associations feel that this age group player formation will be the most inclusive and help increase participation.

 

Age Group Formation Birth Year and Season Chart

Please refer to the table below for player age divisions as well as the birth year and season matrix. Washington Youth Soccer – along with US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and AYSO – will return to an age group formation based on Aug. 1-July 31, rather than Jan. 1-Dec. 31, beginning with the 2026-27 registration season.

Please note that the format “U followed by age” really means that age and younger.

AGE	2025-26 SEASON	2026-27 SEASON
U6	Born between Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020	Born between Aug 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021
U7	Born between Jan 1, 2019 – Dec 31, 2019	Born between Aug 1, 2019 – July 31, 2020
U8	Born between Jan 1, 2018 – Dec 31, 2018	Born between Aug 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019
U9	Born between Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2017	Born between Aug 1, 2017 – July 31, 2018
U10	Born between Jan 1, 2016 – Dec 31, 2016	Born between Aug 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017
U11	Born between Jan 1, 2015 – Dec 31, 2015	Born between Aug 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016
U12	Born between Jan 1, 2014 – Dec 31, 2014	Born between Aug 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015
U13	Born between Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013	Born between Aug 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014
U14	Born between Jan 1, 2012 – Dec 31, 2012	Born between Aug 1, 2012 – July 31, 2013
U15	Born between Jan 1, 2011 – Dec 31, 2011	Born between Aug 1, 2011 – July 31, 2012
U16	Born between Jan 1, 2010 – Dec 31, 2010	Born between Aug 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011
U17	Born between Jan 1, 2009 – Dec 31, 2009	Born between Aug 1, 2009 – July 31, 2010
U18	Born between Jan 1, 2008 – Dec 31, 2008	Born between Aug 1, 2008 – July 31, 2009
U19	Born between Jan 1, 2007 – Dec 31, 2007	Born between Aug 1, 2007 – July 31, 2008

 

2026/2027 Age Grouping Changes FAQ

When do the age group changes take effect?

For the 2026/2027 seasonal year, WYS competition age groups will be structured based on the dates August 1-July 31. Beginning on 8/1/2026 all WYS competitions will use August 1-July 31 to group players. All teams formed for the 2026/2027 seasonal year should be grouped based on these dates.

What age group will my child play in based on the new groupings?

Parents and guardians can use the table above to determine their player’s age grouping or refer to the Birth Year and Season Matrix in the Resources section of this page.

Who else will be grouping players based on August 1-July 31?

WYS and USYS have collaborated with both US Club Soccer and AYSO to mutually recognize August 1-July 31 age groupings. Additionally, MLS Next Academy Division and the Girls Academy have also adopted the August 1-July 31 age group cycle change.

What about Washington Youth Soccer State Cups?

Teams participating in WYS State Cups – Recreational Cup, Founders Cup, Presidents Cup, and State Championships – must be grouped using the dates August 1-July 31.

For the U19 age group, players born between January 1-July 31, 2007, will be allowed to participate in all WYS State Cups with an accompanying waiver confirming current enrollment in high school.

However, for teams that advance to post-season play through WYS State Championships and Presidents Cup, players born between January 1-July 31, 2007, will not be able to participate in USYS National Championships or Regional & National Presidents Cup play.

Will players who are impacted by the new groupings be given exceptions to play on their existing teams?

For WYS run competitions – Recreational Cup, Founders Cup, Presidents Cup, and State Championships – there will not be age variances granted. Players can play up in accordance with the competition rules but play downs based on the new age groupings will not be permitted.

For league-specific, age-related requirements, please check with your competition authority or league operator as rules may vary.

How will the oldest age groups be handled?

For WYS competitions (leagues and cups), the U18 and U19 age group will continue to be combined in a U19 age group.

For the U19 age group, WYS has opened registration for players born between January 1-July 31, 2007. While all 2007s would have aged out under the previous age group formation cycle (January 1-December 31), this allowance provides the opportunity for players born January 1-July 31, 2007, to join their teammates born August 1-December 31, 2007, and participate in another year of youth soccer.

For league-specific, age-related requirements, please check with your competition authority or league operator as rules may vary.

For all WYS State Cup play – Recreational Cup, Founders Cup, Presidents Cup, and State Championships – players born between January 1-July 31, 2007, will be allowed to participate with an accompanying waiver confirming current enrollment in high school.

However, for teams that advance to post-season play through WYS State Championships and Presidents Cup, players born between January 1-July 31, 2007, will not be able to participate in USYS National Championships or Regional & National Presidents Cup play.

How will WYS Elite Player Development (EPD) be grouped?

WYS EPD will align with ODP groupings will be unchanged and continue to utilize only January 1-December 31.

 

Additional Information

For additional information about the process behind the Age Group Formation change, visit U.S. Soccer’s Path Forward on Player Registration page at https://www.ussoccer.com/ecosystem-review/player-registration. Please find more resources, including the Birth Year and Season Matrix, in the Resources section.

For additional Age Group Formation questions, please reach out to WYS Member Services Manager, Dan Rubin, at DanR@WashingtonYouthSoccer.org.