U.S. Soccer Age Matrix: 2026–27 Season
Beginning with the 2026–27 season, U.S. Soccer Federation is implementing an updated age-group matrix that affects how players are grouped for league and club play across the country.
The change aligns youth soccer more closely with school-year cohorts, rather than strict calendar-year birthdates. For families, this means some players may move into a different age group than expected, even if their birth year has not changed. iProSkills will follow up with families of players who may be impacted.
| Age Group | Birthdate Range (2026–27) |
|---|---|
| U-6 | Aug. 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021 |
| U-7 | Aug. 1, 2019 – July 31, 2020 |
| U-8 | Aug. 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019 |
| U-9 | Aug. 1, 2017 – July 31, 2018 |
| U-10 | Aug. 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017 |
| U-11 | Aug. 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016 |
| U-12 | Aug. 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015 |
| U-13 | Aug. 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014 |
| U-14 | Aug. 1, 2012 – July 31, 2013 |
| U-15 | Aug. 1, 2011 – July 31, 2012 |
| U-16 | Aug. 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011 |
| U-17 | Aug. 1, 2009 – July 31, 2010 |
| U-18 | Aug. 1, 2008 – July 31, 2009 |
| U-19 | Aug. 1, 2007 – July 31, 2008 |
| U-20 | Aug. 1, 2006 – July 31, 2007 |
What is the new cutoff?
Under the updated system, age groups are determined by a school-year window:
-
Aug. 1 – July 31
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Players are grouped with peers they are most likely to attend school with
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This replaces the previous Jan. 1 – Dec. 31 calendar-year model
Why did U.S. Soccer make this change?
According to U.S. Soccer, the shift is intended to address long-standing concerns in youth development:
1. Competitive balance
The calendar-year system often favored players born earlier in the year, creating physical and developmental gaps at younger ages.
2. School and social alignment
Grouping players by school year keeps teammates together in classrooms and on teams, improving retention and social development.
3. Long-term player development
Research cited by U.S. Soccer shows athletes are more likely to stay engaged—and develop at appropriate rates—when competition better matches physical and emotional maturity.
4. Consistency across youth sports
Many U.S. youth sports already use school-year cutoffs, reducing confusion for families with multi-sport athletes.
Winter Programs
Academy members get $20 off of Sunday Boot Camp (regularly $60). The code will be shared in your team WhatsApp.
- Saturday Playmore Tournament 8 – 10 a.m. This is for 2017 through high school.
- Juniors 10-11 am. This is on Saturday for our 2020, 2021 and 2022 players.
- Saturday FootSkills 10-11 or 11 – 12 depending on age. Footskills is open to our youngest players through high school.
- Sunday Boot Camp 1 – 4 p.m. This is for 2019 through high school.
Winter 2025 Training Schedule
iProSkills Academy official merch is here
Order Adidas quarter zips, hoodies and more through our online store.
