Age Group Changes for the 2026–2027 Season

Beginning with the 2026–2027 season, youth soccer organizations across the United States are transitioning from a calendar-year age group system (January 1 – December 31) to a school-year age group system (August 1 – July 31). This adjustment is being implemented nationally by major governing bodies including the Girls Academy, U.S. Youth Soccer, and U.S. Club Soccer.

Pinecrest Premier Soccer Club will adopt this updated age group structure beginning with the 2026–2027 competitive season.

The transition is designed to better align youth soccer participation with the U.S. school calendar, rather than the international age-group system used by FIFA. Aligning with the academic calendar allows more players to compete alongside classmates and peers while helping reduce challenges created by larger academic age gaps, including situations commonly referred to as “trapped players.”

Age Group Birthdate Chart (2026–2027)

U8 (2018/2019)August 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019
U9 (2017/2018)August 1, 2017 – July 31, 2018
U10 (2016/2017)August 1, 2016 – July 31, 2017
U11 (2015/2016)August 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016
U12 (2014/2015)August 1, 2014 – July 31, 2015
U13 (2013/2014)August 1, 2013 – July 31, 2014
U14 (2012/2013)August 1, 2012 – July 31, 2013
U15 (2011/2012)August 1, 2011 – July 31, 2012
U16 (2010/2011)August 1, 2010 – July 31, 2011
U17 (2009/2010)August 1, 2009 – July 31, 2010
U18–U19 (2008/2009)August 1, 2008 – July 31, 2009

What This Means for Players
With the change to an August 1 cutoff date, some players may be placed in a different age group than they were under the previous calendar-year system. In certain cases, players may move to a younger age group, while others may remain in a similar age group depending on their birthdate.
At Pinecrest Premier, player placement decisions are made through a comprehensive evaluation process that includes input from coaching staff, technical leadership, and the club’s long-term player development pathway. Multiple factors are considered during this process, including:
 

• Player development stage

• Team structure and competitive environment

• Long-term development and pathway planning

• Future opportunities such as college recruitment and exposure
   

The objective of this process is to ensure that each player is placed in the environment that best supports technical development, competitive growth and long term player development.