March 7 – Long rumored, and now official, US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) have announced that they will be transitioning away from a mandated Birth Year age group policy, and into a more flexible policy starting with the 2026-27 season.
U.S. Soccer conducted a survey with members, leagues, and clubs, while also gathering formal feedback from the broader ecosystem. They received over 15,000 responses from members, leagues, clubs, coaches, families, and participants.
Key insights from the assessment are outlined below.
- Ecosystem segment (recreation, competitive, pre-professional) and local considerations should drive player registration timing considerations (e.g., birth year, school year).
- It’s not practical or optimal to choose one registration choice for the entire ecosystem given these considerations, particularly as we aim to expand the growth and success of the game in every community across the country.
- There is recognition that there are many leagues and clubs at the recreational level who currently organize around the school year – which could mean August 1 or September 1. Organizing around school year should be a local market / member decision.
The official update will set the new Age Group Formation cycle to run from September 1 – August 31. This was selected to align as closely as possible with the start of a new school year for the majority of athletes around the country. While the Age Group Formation cycle will align closely with the school year, athletes will still be able to play up with older age groups, if desired.
It was only in 2017 that the calendar birth year was implemented with the aim of aligning U.S. youth soccer with international soccer standards, however, this disrupted the long-standing practice of grouping players with their school classmates.
With a hybrid now in place, there will inevitably be some disruption but if player retention increases throughout the country, the Federation will feel like the overall ecosystem has benefited.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1741478375labto1741478375ofdlr1741478375owedi1741478375sni@o1741478375fni1741478375