Learn how to calculate your child's soccer age. 

       

      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 2010 and the seasonal year ends in 2026, the calculation is 2026 - 2010 = 16. Your child's soccer age is U16.

       

       *Note: Beginning the 2026/2027 seasonal year, Cal North will be moving to a school-year age grouping method, and this chart will be updated.

      READ MORE about the switch to School Year Age Group Formation in 2026/27.

       

      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

      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