Why Is Birth Year in Soccer Used?
In 2016 U.S. Soccer mandated that all player’s soccer age be calculated utilizing their birth year. The mandate aligns soccer in the United States with the rest of the world in how the playing age of a player is calculated.
The changes aim to support player development, more closely align with U.S. Soccer’s Standards for Small Sided Games, simplifying the calculation for a player’s age, and reducing the relative age effect (RAE is a selection bias towards players born earlier in the calendar year).
How the Birth Year Calculation Works
To calculate your player’s soccer age, you subtract your child’s birth year from the end of the seasonal year.
For Example:
In the 2025-2026 seasonal year, If your child is born in 2014 and the seasonal year ends in 2026, the calculation is 2026 – 2014 = 12. Your child’s soccer age is U12.
*Note: Beginning the 2026/2027 seasonal year, Marshall Soccer will be moving to a school-year age grouping method, and this chart will be updated.
Why Is School Year in Soccer Used?
Beginning with the 2026-2027 seasonal year, U.S. Youth Soccer, U.S. Club Soccer, and AYSO will return to school year age group formation. This change follows updated guidance from U.S. Soccer allowing organizations to choose the format that best serves their players.
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.
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, to July 31, 2017. That places them in the U10 age group for the 2026-2027 season.
Soccer Age Calculator (Use this for the Fall 2025 Season)
2025 – 2026 Season
| Playing Age | Birth Year |
|---|---|
| U19 | 2007 |
| U18 | 2008 |
| U17 | 2009 |
| U16 | 2010 |
| U15 | 2011 |
| U14 | 2012 |
| U13 | 2013 |
| U12 | 2014 |
| U11 | 2015 |
| U10 | 2016 |
| U9 | 2017 |
| U8 | 2018 |
| U7 | 2019 |
| U6 | 2020 |
| U5 | 2021 |
| U4 | 2022 |
2026 – 2027 Season
*CHANGE TO SCHOOL-YEAR AGE GROUPING
| Playing Age | Birth Date |
|---|---|
| U19 | August 1, 2007 – July 31, 2008 |
| U18 | August 1, 2008 – July 31, 2009 |
| U17 | August 1, 2009 – July 31, 2010 |
| U16 | August 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011 |
| U15 | August 1, 2011 – July 31, 2012 |
| U14 | August 1, 2012 – July 31, 2013 |
| U13 | August 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014 |
| U12 | August 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015 |
| U11 | August 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016 |
| U10 | August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017 |
| U9 | August 1, 2017 – July 31, 2018 |
| U8 | August 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019 |
| U7 | August 1, 2019 – July 31, 2020 |
| U6 | August 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021 |
| U5 | August 1, 2021 – July 31, 2022 |
| U4 | August 1, 2022 – July 31, 2023 |