35 Select Soccer Club & Southern Minnesota Soccer League Announcement

Update on US Youth Soccer Age Group Changes

Updated December 12th, 2025

Important news for our soccer families! US Youth Soccer, AYSO, and US Club Soccer have announced that beginning in August, with the 2026–27 season, all youth programs will transition to a seasonal age group calendar running August 1–July 31.

This change brings player age groups back in line with school-grade classmates—similar to the pre-2016 system—making it easier for kids to play with their friends and creating a more inclusive, development-friendly environment. The decision follows extensive national feedback and data review.

What You Need to Know

• No changes will occur for the 2025–26 Spring Summer season.
• Players may continue to “play up” if appropriate for their development.
• Check your child's future age group with U.S. Soccer's tool: Age Group Calculator
• For full details, see the US Youth Soccer Official Announcement: US Youth Soccer Official Announcement 

We’re excited about this player-focused update and what it means for our Southern Minnesota clubs and communities. If you have questions, please reach out to your club registrar.

Youth Player Age Divisions/Birth Year and Season Matrix 

Please refer to the table and document link below for player age divisions as well as birth year and season matrix.

Be advised that US Youth Soccer will return to an age group formation based on August 1–July 31, rather than January 1–December 31, beginning with the 2026–27 registration season.