Starting in the Fall 2026, in alignment with clubs and leagues across the US, Prince William Courage 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, Prince William Courage 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 Select, Classic, CDP, and Recreational Programs.
Prince William Courage 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 Prince William Courage 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
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, 2018 | 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 Prince William Courage 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 CDP guidance will be sent to the CDP 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 Prince William Courage 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 Prince William Courage players participate in will follow the same age group formation dates (August 1-July 31).
