2026 AGE GROUP CHANGES:
WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR PLAYER
Beginning in the 2026–27 season, U.S. Youth Soccer will transition youth soccer age groups from a calendar-year system (January–December) to a school-year system (August–July).
This change is designed to better align youth soccer age groups with the school calendar, allowing more players to compete alongside their classmates and peers.
This page explains how the change works, when it takes effect, and how it impacts Cedar Stars Academy players.
WHAT IS CHANGING?
Currently, youth soccer age groups are based on calendar birth years:
January 1 – December 31
Starting in the 2026–27 season, age groups will be based on a school-year cycle:
August 1 – July 31
This means some players may shift up or down one age group during the transition as teams align with the new structure.
WHEN DOES THE CHANGE HAPPEN?
2025–26 SEASON
Final season using the current calendar-year age groups.
2026–27 SEASON
First season using the new August–July age group structure.
CSA will begin forming teams using the new age group structure during 2026–27 season tryouts and team placement.
VISUAL GUIDE
CURRENT SYSTEM VS NEW SYSTEM
Current System
Through 2025–26
• Age groups based on calendar year
• Birth dates from January 1 – December 31
• Players are often separated from classmates depending on birthday
New System
Starting 2026–27
• Age groups based on the school-year calendar
• Birth dates from August 1 – July 31
• More players remain grouped with school peers and classmates
DO ALL LEAGUES USE
THE SAME AGE GROUPS?
No. Not every youth soccer league in the United States uses the same age group structure.
The change announced by U.S. Youth Soccer applies to leagues and competitions that operate within the U.S. Youth Soccer system.
However, some national platforms operate independently and may maintain different age group structures.
AGE GROUPS CHANGES BY LEAGUE
Leagues and competitions within the USYS system will adopt the new August–July age grouping system beginning in 2026–27.
USYS
All USYS entities wil change to school year format
- EDP Leagues
- State Cup
- Regional and National Events
MLS NEXT
MLS NEXT Home Grown Division
will stay calendar year
MLS NEXT Academy Division
will change to school year format
MLS NEXT
Girls Academy
will change to school year format
USL Y LEAGUE
USL Y League will change to school year format
NAL and NEAL
NAL and NEAL
will change to school year format
NYCS LEAGUE
NYCS League
will change to school year format
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR CSA PLAYERS?
Cedar Stars Academy teams compete across multiple leagues, depending on the league some teams will remain in the current structure depending on the competition platform.
CSA will carefully manage this transition to ensure:
• Players are placed in the best developmental environment
• Teams remain competitive and balanced
• Families receive clear communication ahead of the 2026–27 season
Any questions please reach out to program director or your coach for more information.
Additional updates will be shared with families as we approach the 2026–27 seasonal year transition.
PARTNERS, ASSOCIATIONS & AFFILIATES
