Age Groups Changing

US Youth Soccer has made the decision to move from a calendar year system to an age group player formation based on the school year system (August 1-July 31). This change is designed to better align teams with school grades.

The main goal is to reduce issues like “trapped players” (kids stuck between age groups and school grades) and “playing up” just to stay with classmates. By shifting to an August 1 cut-off, more players will compete with peers they go to school with—something expected to improve both development and enjoyment.

What this means for players:

• Some players will stay in the same age group for two years
• Others may move down an age group
• Team dynamics may shift, and long-time teams could change
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There will be no changes for the 2025–26 season, giving clubs time to prepare.

Important notes:

• Players can still play up based on ability
• There’s no proven developmental advantage to any specific cut-off date
  

How to prepare:

• Use the official age calculator (click)
• Talk with your club early about team plans
• Focus on your child’s development, confidence, and enjoyment—not just age group labels

Bottom line:

This change is about keeping kids with their peers and improving the overall experience. It may feel disruptive at first, but the long-term goal is a better, more balanced environment for players.

KC Blaze is working to ensure a smooth transition for the 2026-27 season.