AGE GROUP CHANGE
Age Group Registration Moving to School Year Model Beginning Fall 2026
Gunston Soccer Club: Youth Age Group Update (Effective 2026–27)
Starting with the 202-27 season, U.S. youth soccer organizations (US Youth Soccer, AYSO, and US Club Soccer) will move to an August 1 -July 31 age group cycle.
This change is designed to better align players with their school-grade peers, support social development, and increase participation. It will apply to league and championship play, including National League, Presidents Cup, and National Championships.
There is no impact on current or upcoming seasons. The new age group formation begins with the 2026-27 registration year. Tools will be available to help families understand age group placement based on birthdate.
We will continue to share updates as the transition approaches.
FAQ's
What is changing?
Beginning with the 2026-27 season, player age groups will be determined using an August 1 to July 31 birthdate range rather than the traditional calendar-year (January-December) system.
Why is this happening?
The new structure better aligns players with their school-year classmates and helps reduce large maturity and developmental gaps within teams.
Does this affect the 2025–26 season?
No. All programs for the 2025-26 season will continue using the current age group rules.
Can players play up?
Yes. Playing up may be considered based on a player’s ability, physical development, and overall readiness. These decisions are made by the club’s technical leadership, and prior approval is required to try out for an older group.
If my child is in a higher grade but born in Aug–Sept, can they play up?
School grade may be taken into account, but final placement decisions are made by the technical staff, not automatically by grade level.
When will families know their child’s 2026–27 age group?
An updated age group chart and online age-group calculator will be provided to help families determine the correct placement.
Will tryouts change?
Yes. Tryouts for the 2026-27 season will follow the August 1-July 31 age cut-off. Additional tryout details will be shared closer to the evaluation period.
Will teams be broken up?
Some roster adjustments are expected as players are reassigned to their new age groups to support appropriate development.
Are August–December birthdays most affected?
Players born between August and December will see the biggest changes in their age group alignment.
Is registration based on school grade?
No. Registration is based solely on a player’s date of birth. Academic placement does not change official age group eligibility.
Will all leagues Gunston participates in follow this?
Yes. League partners are also moving to the August 1-July 31 age group structure to maintain consistency across competitions.
Who can I contact with questions?
Age Group Calculator
Enter player birth date to find their group for the upcoming season.
Reference: Age Groups & Birth Dates
| Group | Program | Birth Date Range |
|---|
