2026-2027 Age Group Change

Beginning with the 2026-2027 seasonal year, BEST FC will be moving to a school-year calendar age grouping method. Age groups will change from being formed by January 1-December 31 birth year to an August 1-July 31 age grouping based on school grade.

Click on the link below to learn more about the switch to School Year Calendar Age Group Formation in 2026-2027.

• Decision on Age Group Formation

Why is the School Year Calendar used in youth soccer?

The school year model better aligns with academic calendars, supports social development among peers, and improves player retention by allowing teammates to progress together through both school and soccer.

How the School Year Calculation Works

To calculate your player’s soccer age, determine if they fall within the birthdate ranges listed below or click here to use the U.S. Soccer age group formation tool.

For Example: In the 2026-2027 seasonal year, if your child is born in October 2016, they fall within the school year range of August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017. That places them in the U10 age group for the 2026-2027 season.

FAQs

Why is this change happening?

US Youth Soccer and US Club Soccer have decided to move to an age group formation that changes from January 1-December 31 birth year player placement, to the school age group calendar of August 1-July 31 placement to better align players with their school grade peers.

When does this change take effect?

The change will go into effect for the 2026-2027 season, starting in Fall 2026. There is no change during the current 2025-2026 season.

How do I know my player’s age group for 2026-2027?

Utilize the U.S. Soccer Age Group Formation Tool.

Why was August 1-July 31 chosen as the school calendar year birthdate range?

U.S. Soccer has established the August 1-July 31 birth-year period as the most widely adopted and consistent model across the country. As a member club, we follow this national standard to ensure that our players are aligned with age groups used in leagues, tournaments, development pathways, and college recruiting across the U.S. We recognize that there is no single, universal birthdate protocol used nationwide. Our focus is on player development, and we will work to ensure every child is placed in an environment that fits their developmental needs and long-term growth. Socially, many players adjust quickly as they meet teammates across school boundaries, which is common throughout youth sports at this level. If you have concerns about your child’s placement or need help understanding how the birth-year system applies to your player, we’re here to help.

Can a player play up an age group?

Yes, a player may be chosen to play up. The decision on player placement is made by coaching staff and technical leadership with several factors in mind – player skill level, soccer maturity, current development level, predicted future development level, and player commitment. A player who is selected to play up for one season may continue to play up during additional seasons or be placed back with their appropriate peer group at some point.

Will tryout registration be based on a player’s school year or DOB?

Tryout registration will be based on a player’s date of birth and not their grade level in school.

How will player placements be evaluated?

As with every season, BEST FC will conduct individual player evaluations throughout the 2025–2026 season. Our management team will meet with each coach to assess where each player is developmentally.

If a player is one or two grades younger than their current team, we will have in-depth discussions with coaches to determine whether playing up:

• Supports or limits the player’s development
• Impacts overall team development

Decisions will be made based on all four pillars of development: technical, tactical, physical, and psychological.

If my child is younger than most of their team, will they automatically be moved?

No. For the 2026–2027 season, players will not be automatically moved based on grade alone.

Placement decisions will consider:

• Current development level
• Individual readiness
• Whether the move benefits both the player and the team

BEST FC’s priority is placing players in environments that best support long-term development for both the individual and the team.

What if my child is older than most of their team? Will they have to leave their team if the team stays in the majority of their grade?

The NESCL and other leagues that BEST FC competes in are working out guidelines and/or opportunities IF there are opportunities with players “playing down”. We will send out further communication once we receive more information.

How does this affect players who are in 8th or 9th grade?

For teams that include both 8th and 9th graders in the 2026–2027 season, BEST FC will manage fall and spring programming in alignment with the new school-year age group structure, while continuing to prioritize development and continuity.

• 9th graders will not compete in the fall due to high school soccer commitments
• BEST FC will form 8th-grade fall teams as needed
• Some 8th graders may temporarily train or play with a younger age group and return once high school players finish their season. Will have a better sense of what this would look like based on player registrations.

If there is a larger group of high school–aged players, we may also form:

• A 9th-grade team, or
• A combined 9th/10th-grade team

All decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, with player development, team environment, and long-term growth as the guiding factors.

Will my child have to repeat or skip an age group?

This is based on the player’s current development and the majority grade level of the team. We will have these discussions with families, coaches, and management of BEST FC to conclude what is the best move for the player from a development standpoint.

If a player “skips an age group”, they would be the youngest player on their current team and at the point where that team graduates from the club. That individual player could have the opportunity to move to their specific grade level, a player wouldn’t miss a year of soccer.

Again, this is predominantly based on skill level and player development.

My child has a late birthday and has struggled with being the youngest – will this help?

Yes! The school-year alignment is designed to reduce the “relative age effect” and “trapped player” issues that have impacted many families under the birth year system.

Will coaches change?

We intend to maintain coaching continuity whenever possible. Any changes will be communicated clearly and in advance to all families/players.

Will the tryouts for next season change?

Tryouts will be primarily for players from outside the club and will be based on the August 1-July 31 age group formation and not by birth year. Many current BEST FC players will receive rolling offers before June tryouts and will be placed on rosters based on their performance and developmental progress throughout the 2025-2026 season. Current BEST FC players who do not receive an offer before tryouts should attend the scheduled tryouts for further evaluation. More details about the tryout process will be communicated once they are finalized.