Effective Starting with the 2026–27 Season
Arizona Soccer Association (ASA), in alignment with US Youth Soccer, AYSO, and US Club Soccer, will transition to a new player age group formation cycle running from August 1 to July 31, beginning with the 2026–27 season/registration year for competitive players and teams only. This update is for all competitive age members, if you are an in-house or recreational player or team this does not effect your team or players!
This change is based on extensive feedback, data review, and expert guidance and is designed to better align players with their school-grade peers, support families, and encourage long-term participation in youth soccer across Arizona
What’s Changing?
Starting with the 2026–27 season:
- Player age groups will be based on an August 1 – July 31 cycle (instead of the current system).
- This new cycle will apply to all ASA–sanctioned competitions and programs that follow US Youth Soccer rules.
- It will also be used for all US Youth Soccer (USYS) league and Cup competitions, including:
- National Championships
- Presidents Cup
- National League
By matching player groupings more closely with school grades, teams can stay more socially cohesive, making it easier for friends and classmates to play together.
Guidance From U.S. Soccer
Under U.S. Soccer’s national policy, each Federation member association has the authority to set age group rules for leagues and competitions they operate or sanction. To support the transition, U.S. Soccer has introduced a helpful Age Group Lookup Tool that allows families to quickly determine the correct age group for their player based on birthdate.
Why the Change?
US Youth Soccer, AYSO, MLS Next Academy, and US Club Soccer conducted a thorough review that included:
- Feedback from families, coaches, clubs, and state associations
- Participation and retention data
- Input from player development and youth sport experts
From this process, the organizations concluded that an August 1 age group formation cycle:
- Aligns more naturally with school calendars
- Supports social and developmental needs by keeping players with their grade-level peers
- Creates a more inclusive environment, which can help increase participation statewide and nationally
US Youth Soccer leadership has emphasized that this change is rooted in their mission to support every player’s development and to make the youth soccer experience smoother and more enjoyable for families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this change affect the 2025–26 season?
No. The new age group cycle takes effect starting with the 2026–27 season. All current age group rules stay the same until then.
Will my child have to change teams?
Some players may shift age groups as we align more closely with school grades, especially at younger ages. ASA and member clubs will work to communicate these changes early so families can plan.
Is this only an Arizona decision?
No. This change is part of a national alignment with US Youth Soccer, AYSO, MLS Next Academy and US Club Soccer, all moving to the same August 1 – July 31 player formation cycle.
Where can I see what age group my child will be in?
U.S. Soccer provides an age group lookup tool based on birthdate. As we near the 2026–27 season, ASA will post direct access to this tool and Arizona-specific information on our website.
Downloadable Documents to Share with Club Members
2026 /2027 Age Matrix and Formation Tool
2026/2027 Updated Decision on Age Group Formation with Rationale