Sac United wants to make sure every family is informed and prepared for a major change coming to youth soccer registration and roster formation beginning with the 2026–27 season. This update affects how age groups are determined across most youth soccer organizations nationwide, including those under MLS Next, Girls Academy League, US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and AYSO.
Sac United has been planning for this transition and will share detailed guidance with families as we move closer to the tryout process.
What’s Changing?
For decades, youth soccer in the United States primarily used a calendar-year system (January 1–December 31) to determine a player’s age group. Starting with the 2026–27 season, most national and local youth soccer organizations will shift to a seasonal-year model (August 1–July 31).
Under this new structure, a player’s age group will be based on how old they are on July 31 of the seasonal year, rather than December 31 of the calendar year.
Families can review official announcements and age group charts from the governing organizations:
- US Club Soccer: The official statement and FAQ on the age group cut-off update are available on the US Club Soccer Update page. Additional resources and an age matrix can be found on their Age Groups page.
- NorCal Premier: Information, resources, and club guidance for managing the change are compiled on the NorCal Premier Age Group Changes page. They also offer a separate Parent FAQs document.
- USYS (US Youth Soccer): The official announcement and details regarding the shift for all leagues and cups in 2026-2027 are on the US Youth Soccer News page, which includes an FAQ section.
- MLS NEXT: The age group update, which clarifies that the Academy Division will switch to the school-year format while the Homegrown Division maintains the birth-year format, is detailed on the MLS Next Announcement page.
ECNL (Elite Clubs National League): The ECNL typically aligns with its sanctioning bodies. More information regarding the alignment of ECNL with the broader change can be found through various club announcements, as ECNL has not made a direct statement on its own website but follows the lead of US Club Soccer and USYS.
Why the Change?
National organizations have stated that the move to a seasonal-year structure is intended to:
- Better align players with school-grade peers
- Improve long-term player development pathways
- Simplify roster formation and league administration
This is a nationwide adjustment and not unique to Sac United.
Timeline
- 2025–26 Season: Age groups will continue to follow the current calendar-year structure.
- 2026–27 Season and Beyond: The new August 1–July 31 age group cycle will take effect.
Players born between August and December may see the biggest shift under the new model, depending on their current placement.
Sac United’s Planning & Next Steps
Sacramento United has plans and contingencies in place to ensure a smooth transition for our families and players. As we approach the tryout process for the 2026–27 season, the club will share:
- Clear age group charts specific to Sac United
- Player placement guidance
- Tryout timelines and expectations
- Frequently asked questions to address common concerns
Our technical staff and leadership teams are actively preparing for roster construction under the new guidelines.
