Starting in the Fall 2026, in alignment with clubs and leagues across the US, Arlington Soccer is moving age group registration from birth year to Aug 1 - July 31 (School Year)

Why This Change Is Happening:

Prior to 2017, youth soccer registration followed the school year model; this is a return to that model. Beginning in the 2026–27 season, Arlington Soccer will move from a calendar-year registration model (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31) to a school-year model (Aug. 1 – July 31), following guidance from the national associations such as US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer, and AYSO. 

Who This Change Impacts: 

These changes will impact our Academy (ECNL), Travel and ADP Programs. This does not impact our recreational program.

Arlington Soccer will also consider the player's grade when evaluating team placement along with skill, maturity and individual needs as mentioned above.

Benefits of This Change:

• This change aligns players with their school-grade peers.
• Allows more children to play with friends in their school-year cohort.
• Grouping players by school year can lead to more appropriate development opportunities.

What It Means for Your Family:

• No changes will be made during the 2025–26 season.
• Your child’s soccer age group may shift for the Fall 2026 season.
• Players born between August and December will be the most affected.

How Arlington Soccer Will Manage the Transition:

• The change will not impact any teams until Fall 2026.
• Our team will publish a team placement process in Winter 2025/26 to address this change.
• We are committed to minimizing disruption and making the transition as smooth as possible.

Timeline:

• October 2025: First communication to families, age matrix, FAQs, and resource tools published
• November 2025: Winter training & evaluation structure announced
• Spring 2026: Open Tryout and Team placements begin using new age cut-offs
• Fall 2026: Team competition using the new age group structure begins

Tools to Help You:

• Side-by-side age matrix: 2025–26 vs. 2026–27
• FAQ sheet
• Age Group Calculator

 

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 Club Soccer – along with US Youth Soccer and AYSO – will return to an age group formation based on Aug. 1-July 31, rather than Jan. 1-Dec. 31, beginning with the 2026-27 registration season. More information can be found here.

Age Group	2025-26 SEASON	2026-27 SEASON
U6	Born between Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020	Born between Aug 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021
U7	Born between Jan 1, 2019 – Dec 31, 2019	Born between Aug 1, 2019 – July 31, 2020
U8	Born between Jan 1, 2018 – Dec 31, 2018	Born between Aug 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019
U9	Born between Jan 1, 2017 – Dec 31, 2017	Born between Aug 1, 2017 – July 31, 2018
U10	Born between Jan 1, 2016 – Dec 31, 2016	Born between Aug 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017
U11	Born between Jan 1, 2015 – Dec 31, 2015	Born between Aug 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016
U12	Born between Jan 1, 2014 – Dec 31, 2014	Born between Aug 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015
U13	Born between Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013	Born between Aug 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014
U14	Born between Jan 1, 2012 – Dec 31, 2012	Born between Aug 1, 2012 – July 31, 2013
U15	Born between Jan 1, 2011 – Dec 31, 2011	Born between Aug 1, 2011 – July 31, 2012
U16	Born between Jan 1, 2010 – Dec 31, 2010	Born between Aug 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011
U17	Born between Jan 1, 2009 – Dec 31, 2009	Born between Aug 1, 2009 – July 31, 2010
U18	Born between Jan 1, 2008 – Dec 31, 2008	Born between Aug 1, 2008 – July 31, 2009
U19	Born between Jan 1, 2007 – Dec 31, 2007	Born between Aug 1, 2007 – July 31, 2008
U20	Born between Jan 1, 2006 – Dec 31, 2006	Born between Aug 1, 2006 – July 31, 2007

2026–27 Age Group Transition FAQs

Q: What is the change?

A: Starting with the 2026–27 season, soccer age groups will use an August 1 – July 31 cut-off instead of January 1 – December 31.

Q: Why is this happening?

A: It aligns soccer teams with the school year and reduces the number of "trapped players" (kids caught between age and school-year cohorts).

Q: Does this affect the 2025–26 season?

A: No. This season (2025–26) will continue under the current system.

 Q: Can players play up an age group?

A: Playing up is a coaching and technical decision based primarily on the player’s skill level, soccer maturity, and overall development needs. While Arlington Soccer allows flexibility in certain cases, playing up is the exception rather than the rule. Each situation is carefully evaluated by the technical staff to ensure it is in the best interest of both the individual player and the team.

Q: Can a player born between August 1 and September 30 play up if they are in the higher school grade?

A: School grade may be considered as part of the evaluation, but the decision to allow a player to play up is ultimately based on technical criteria including the player’s skill, maturity, and readiness for the older age group. Grade alone does not guarantee that a player will play up.

Q: When will I know my child’s age group for 2026–27?

A: See the birth year matrix and or age group calculator. 

Q: Will tryouts change?

A: Yes. Tryouts for the 2026-2027 season will follow the new age cut-off. Updated tryout timelines and guidelines will be published in early 2026.

Specific ADP guidance will be sent to the ADP families.

Q: Will teams be broken up?

A: Player movement will occur. Players will be placed on the team that will best enable their development. 

Q: How does this affect my player if they’re born in August–December?

A: These players are most likely to shift age groups. 

Q: Is registration based on your grade in school?  

A: No it is still based on your date of birth to determine the age group you will play.  A child held back a year in school, will not be impacted.

Q: What resources will Arlington provide?

A: We will publish frequent updates, FAQs, an age group calculator, side-by-side matrix, and other materials to explain the changes.

Q: Will all leagues follow the age group changes?

A: All leagues that Arlington Soccer players participate in will follow the same age group formation dates (August 1-July 31).

Q: Where can I ask questions?

A: Families can email us at agegroupchange@arlingtonsoccer.com or attend upcoming town hall info sessions (dates to be announced).