US Youth Soccer Age Group Team Formation Changes
US Youth Soccer (USYS) Age Group Team Formation Changes Coming in 2026
For those that have not heard, beginning with the Fall 2026–Spring 2027 season, US youth soccer organizations will shift the age group team formation cutoff date from January 1 to August 1. This change is intended to better align soccer teams with school-year groupings across the US.
While New Jersey school cutoffs are typically in October, this adjustment is viewed by U.S. Soccer and NJ Youth Soccer as a meaningful improvement over the current calendar-year system.
Age Group Alignment: WAS vs. NOW (2026–27)
Travel Teams
Age Group
U14
U13
U12
U11
U10
U9
Was (Birth-Year)
Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013
Jan 1, 2014 – Dec 31, 2014
Jan 1, 2015– Dec 31, 2015
Jan 1, 2016 – Dec 31, 2016
Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2017
Jan 1, 2018 – Dec 31, 2018
Now (School-Year)
Aug 1, 2012 – Jul 31, 2013
Aug 1, 2013 – Jul 31, 2014
Aug 1, 2014 – Jul 31, 2015
Aug 1, 2015 – Jul 31, 2016
Aug 1, 2016 – Jul 31, 2017
Aug 1, 2017 – Jul 31, 2018
Program
Travel
Travel
Travel
Travel
Travel
Travel
Academy/Futures
Age Group
U8
U7
Was (Birth-Year)
Jan 1, 2019 – Dec 31, 2019
Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020
Now (School-Year)
Aug 1, 2018 – Jul 31, 2019
Aug 1, 2019 – Jul 31, 2020
Program
Academy/Futures
Academy
Pre-Academy
Age Group
U6
U5
Was (Birth-Year)
Jan 1, 2021 – Dec 31, 2021
Jan 1, 2022 – Dec 31, 2022
Now (School-Year)
Aug 1, 2020 – Jul 31, 2021
Aug 1, 2021 – Jul 31, 2022
Program
Pre-Academy
Pre-Academy
Jr. Pre-Academy
Age Group
U4
U3
Was (Birth-Year)
Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023
Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
Now (School-Year)
Aug 1, 2022 – Jul 31, 2023
Aug 1, 2023 – Jul 31, 2024
Program
Jr. Pre-Academy
Jr. Pre-Academy
What This Means for Summit Soccer Club
The 2026–27 age group change represents an important transition point for Summit Soccer Club. While this new model provides a clearer long-term structure for youth soccer, we recognize that its initial implementation requires thoughtful planning and flexibility.
All Current and future Academy Players: will follow USYS’s school-year age group cutoff, which will remain in effect as they progress into the travel program.
For New / Incoming Travel Players:
All new and incoming travel players will follow the USYS’s school-year age group cutoff.
For Existing Summit Travel Players:
When Summit Soccer Club holds tryouts in Spring 2026 for the Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 season, players who are impacted by this transition (those whose school grade does not align cleanly with their soccer age group under the new August–July system, birthday’s 8/1-9/30), will be allowed to choose either:
-
Up with their current teammates (remaining aligned with their existing team/grade), or
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Age-appropriate under the new August 1 – July 31 cutoff
Summit Soccer Club can help provide placement recommendations, but the final decision will rest with the family.
Current Travel players born between October 1 and December 31 must try out under the new August 1–July 31 age group cutoff. However, the team formation committee may recommend that some players remain on their current teams if it is deemed to be in the best interest of both the player and the team. Any such decisions will not be final until approved by the player’s family.
Summit Soccer Club will continue to monitor how this transition is implemented across our peer clubs, leagues, and governing bodies, and we will adjust our approach as needed to best support our players, families, and teams. Our priority remains providing a positive, development-focused environment for every player.
We appreciate your patience and partnership as we move through this transition together.
If you have any questions or would like additional clarification, please reach out to the club at any time.
We are here to help. agechange.ssc@gmail.com