From the 2026–27 season, US Youth Soccer, AYSO and US Club Soccer group players by their age on July 31 at the end of the season (an August 1 – July 31 cycle). For example, U10 in 2026–27 means born August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017.

On this page
  1. Age groups by birth date
  2. What changed in 2026–27
  3. Format, game length and sizes by age
  4. What each age group plays
  5. Playing time at every age

Age groups by birth date

Find the row for your player's age group. Under the August–July cycle, players born from August to December now play one age group younger than under the old birth-year system. For example, a player born in October 2016 was U11 by birth year and is U10 in 2026–27.

2026–27 season: birth dates by age group
Age groupAug 1 – Jul 31 cycleBirth-year cycle
U6Aug 1, 2020 – Jul 31, 20212021
U7Aug 1, 2019 – Jul 31, 20202020
U8Aug 1, 2018 – Jul 31, 20192019
U9Aug 1, 2017 – Jul 31, 20182018
U10Aug 1, 2016 – Jul 31, 20172017
U11Aug 1, 2015 – Jul 31, 20162016
U12Aug 1, 2014 – Jul 31, 20152015
U13Aug 1, 2013 – Jul 31, 20142014
U14Aug 1, 2012 – Jul 31, 20132013
U15Aug 1, 2011 – Jul 31, 20122012
U16Aug 1, 2010 – Jul 31, 20112011
U17Aug 1, 2009 – Jul 31, 20102010
U18Aug 1, 2008 – Jul 31, 20092009
U19Aug 1, 2007 – Jul 31, 20082008

To work it out yourself: take the year the season ends and subtract the birth year. If the player was born in August or later, subtract one more. Under the birth-year cycle, just subtract the birth year from the year the season ends.

What changed in 2026–27

For about a decade, US Soccer required age groups by calendar birth year. It has since dropped that mandate and lets each member organization choose its cycle. In June 2025, US Youth Soccer, AYSO and US Club Soccer announced a move to an August 1 – July 31 cycle starting with the 2026–27 season, so most recreational and club teams now group players by school-year-style dates.

Not every program switched. The Olympic Development Program (ODP) and the MLS NEXT Homegrown Division still use birth year, while the MLS NEXT Academy Division moved to August–July. Check your league's registration page if a player's age group looks wrong.

Format, game length and sizes by age

For U6 to U12, the format, field size, goal size and ball size come from US Soccer's small-sided standards. Its roster sizes and game lengths are best-practice recommendations, and leagues may adjust them. For U13 and older, game lengths here follow US Youth Soccer's national event rules, and field and goal sizes follow the Laws of the Game.

US youth soccer standards by age group
AgeFormatGameBallGoal (H × W)Field (L × W)Max roster
U64v4 (no GK)4 × 10 min34 × 6 ft25–35 × 15–25 ydabout 6
U74v4 (no GK)4 × 10 min34 × 6 ft25–35 × 15–25 ydabout 6
U84v4 (no GK)4 × 10 min34 × 6 ft25–35 × 15–25 ydabout 6
U97v72 × 25 min46.5 × 12 ft (max 6.5 × 18.5)55–65 × 35–45 yd12
U107v72 × 25 min46.5 × 12 ft (max 6.5 × 18.5)55–65 × 35–45 yd12
U119v92 × 30 min46.5 × 18.5 ft (max 7 × 21)70–80 × 45–55 yd16
U129v92 × 30 min46.5 × 18.5 ft (max 7 × 21)70–80 × 45–55 yd16
U1311v112 × 35 min58 × 24 ft100–130 × 50–100 yd—
U1411v112 × 35 min58 × 24 ft100–130 × 50–100 yd—
U1511v112 × 40 min58 × 24 ft100–130 × 50–100 yd—
U1611v112 × 40 min58 × 24 ft100–130 × 50–100 yd—
U1711v112 × 45 min58 × 24 ft100–130 × 50–100 yd—
U1811v112 × 45 min58 × 24 ft100–130 × 50–100 yd—
U1911v112 × 45 min58 × 24 ft100–130 × 50–100 yd—

For 7v7 and 9v9, US Soccer sets a maximum goal size and recommends a smaller one: up to 6.5 × 18.5 ft for U9–U10 (6.5 × 12 ft recommended) and up to 7 × 21 ft for U11–U12 (6.5 × 18.5 ft recommended). See the soccer goal size guide and field dimensions for diagrams.

What each age group plays

U6–U8: 4v4, no goalkeepers

Four 10-minute quarters with short breaks, a size 3 ball and small goals. Subs can happen at any time, so it's easy to rotate everyone. US Soccer's newer guidance suggests even smaller games (1v1 to 2v2) at U5–U6. See youth positions for how to set up a 4v4 diamond, and U6 and U8 soccer drills for practice ideas.

U9–U10: 7v7 with goalkeepers

Two 25-minute halves, a size 4 ball, and the build-out line, which helps teams play out from the back. Offside starts at U9 but applies only between the build-out line and the goal line. US Soccer recommends rosters of no more than 12 players. See 7v7 formations, 7v7 field dimensions and U10 soccer drills.

U11–U12: 9v9

Two 30-minute halves, size 4 ball, normal offside, and no build-out line. US Soccer recommends rosters of no more than 16. Heading is not allowed through U11; at U12 it is allowed in games with limited heading practice. See 9v9 formations, 9v9 field dimensions and U12 soccer drills.

U13 and older: 11v11

Full-size play with a size 5 ball and 8 × 24 ft goals. Half lengths grow with age (2 × 35 at U13–U14 at US Youth Soccer events, up to 2 × 45 at U17–U19). Leagues and high schools set their own limits. See how long a soccer game is and 11v11 soccer formations.

Playing time at every age

US Soccer recommends that every player plays at least half of each game, and AYSO requires it. With bigger rosters that takes planning. Use the playing time calculator to check the math, then build a fair rotation with the substitution planner.

Get a fair rotation for your age group in 30 seconds

Open the planner