US Youth Soccer (USYS), US Club Soccer, and American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), announced in early 2025 that they have agreed to adopt the seasonal year age group formation cycle for its players starting with each’s 2026-27 season. More information on the announcement can be found here.

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The age group cycle, which will now run from August 1 to July 31, represents the opportunity for more players in each system to play club-based soccer with their classmates. Youth players born before August 1 will have the opportunity to play up with older age groups in accordance with their club’s governance.

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US Youth Soccer CEO Tom Condone addressed the adjustment to the registration process: “At US Youth Soccer, our mission is to support the development of every player. After careful collaboration with our partners and listening to our membership, we believe this shift to an August 1 player formation cycle better aligns with school calendars, supports social and individual needs, and ultimately enhances the youth soccer experience for families across the country.”

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This Age Group formation is effective beginning with each Organization Member’s 2026-27 (August 2026) season/registration year. To help support this transition, U.S. Soccer has introduced a tool to help parents and guardians easily understand the age groupings based on their child’s birthdate.