2026 - 2027 Age Groups
US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer and AYSO have announced an adjustment to the previously announced age group cut-off decision. While the age group formation is currently based on a Jan. 1-Dec. 31 timeframe (“birth year”), these organizations announced in March an anticipated change to Sept. 1-Aug. 31 to be effective as of the 2026-27 season. Now, after additional information and feedback, we are revising that to an Aug. 1-July 31 timeframe. The implementation timeframe of each Organization Member’s 2026-27 season/registration year remains the same.
Age Group Alignment & Player Placement
Academy Football Club is committed to operating in full alignment with all governing bodies, leagues, and tournament standards regarding age group formation.
Beginning with the 2026–2027 seasonal year, AFC recognizes and will adhere to the national transition to an August 1 – July 31 age group structure, as established by US Club Soccer and its aligned partners. This structure replaces the previous calendar-year (January–December) model and is intended to better align players with their school-year peers while reducing the number of “trapped players” within the system.
While AFC will comply fully with all rostering, registration, and competition requirements within sanctioned environments, our internal approach to player development will remain consistent with our core philosophy:
Development First. Always.
To that end, Academy Football Club will:
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Honor all league and tournament roster rules as required for official competition
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Maintain maximum flexibility in training environments, allowing players to move across age groups when appropriate
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Encourage player mobility to ensure each athlete is consistently placed in the best possible developmental setting
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Prioritize individual growth over rigid age grouping, recognizing that development does not occur on a fixed timeline
We believe that age group structures exist to organize competition — not to limit opportunity.
Our responsibility is to ensure that every player is:
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Appropriately challenged
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Properly supported
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Consistently developing
This may, at times, include training or competing outside of a player’s assigned age group when it serves their long-term growth.
Academy Football Club will continue to operate within all required frameworks while intentionally creating an environment that allows for fluid movement, individualized development, and meaningful opportunities for every athlete.