Understanding the US Soccer Age Group Classification Change
As many of you might have heard by now, US Soccer, and subsequently GA Soccer, has decided to change the player age group classification beginning in the Fall26 season. We will be shifting from the current birth year classification to a classification system that mirrors the school system – August 1 to July 31. The first impact of this will be felt at our Club Tryouts in May/June 2026.
Which Age Division will my player(s) be in?
Based on your player’s birthdate, the below chart will identify the age division that your player will classify for, for the Fall26 & Spring27 seasons:
Age Division | Birthdate Range |
U-19 | AUG 1, 2007 — JULY 31, 2008 |
U-18 | AUG 1, 2008 — JULY 31, 2009 |
U-17 | AUG 1, 2009 — JULY 31, 2010 |
U-16 | AUG 1, 2010 — JULY 31, 2011 |
U-15 | AUG 1, 2011 — JULY 31, 2012 |
U-14 | AUG 1, 2012 — JULY 31, 2013 |
U-13 | AUG 1, 2013 — JULY 31, 2014 |
U-12 | AUG 1, 2014 — JULY 31, 2015 |
U-11 | AUG 1, 2015 — JULY 31, 2016 |
U-10 | AUG 1, 2016 — JULY 31, 2017 |
U-9 | AUG 1, 2017 — JULY 31, 2018 |
U-8 | AUG 1, 2018 — JULY 31, 2019 |
U-7 | AUG 1, 2019 — JULY 31, 2020 |
U-6 | AUG 1, 2020 — JULY 31, 2021 |
How does this impact my player(s) in the Rapids FC REC program?
Each player registering for the upcoming Fall26 season, and subsequent seasons going forward will be placed in their classified age division.
How does this impact my player(s) in the Rapids FC Academy/Select programs?
New Players
Any incoming player, new to the Rapids FC Academy/Select program will be required to register for and tryout with their classified age division.
Existing Players
Any player impacted by this classification change (generally, those players with a birthdate between Aug. 1 – Dec 31) that was registered with an Academy/Select team as of the Fall25 and/or Spring26 seasons, will be “grandfathered in”, and therefore, given the opportunity to tryout for their previously registered team in May/June 2026, and essentially “play up”. This, of course, is at the discretion of the player parent(s)/guardian(s). As well, Rapids FC strongly encourages you to consult with your player’s Fall25/Spring26 coach for their player evaluation & recommendation.
Please note, any impacted Academy/Select player that plans to “play up” and tryout for their same team from the Fall25/Spring26 season(s), will also be required to spend a portion of the upcoming tryout session(s) with their correct age division so that all appropriate coaches can make a player evaluation.
Additional Information
Please plan to attend the Club’s Annual Meeting in May/June for further details, and to have any questions answered prior to tryouts.
Rapids FC