https://www.csasocceracademy.com https://www.csasocceracademy.com/age-group-update-for-the-20262027-season <div data-rss-type="text"> <h1> <strong> Age Group Update for the 2026–2027 Season </strong> </h1> </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> <p> <span> Beginning with the  </span> <strong> 2026–2027 seasonal year </strong> <span> , youth soccer organizations across the country will transition to a new  </span> <strong> age group formation model </strong> <span> . This change affects all clubs participating in  </span> <strong> U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS), US Club Soccer, ECNL, and affiliated leagues </strong> <span> , including  </span> <strong> Chicago Soccer Academy (CSA) </strong> <span> . </span> </p> <p> <span> At CSA, our priority throughout this transition is to  </span> <strong> support our players, families, and coaches with clear communication, thoughtful planning, and a player-first approach </strong> <span> . We understand that changes like this can raise questions, and we want to be proactive, transparent, and reassuring as we move forward together. </span> </p> <p> <span> This update is designed to explain what’s changing, why the change is happening, who it impacts, and how CSA is preparing to ensure a smooth transition for the 2026–2027 season. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <h2> <span> What is changing? </span> </h2> <p> <span> Starting with the  </span> <strong> 2026–2027 season </strong> <span> , age groups will shift from a  </span> <strong> calendar-year model </strong> <span>  (January 1 – December 31) to a  </span> <strong> seasonal-year model </strong> <span>  that runs from  </span> <strong> August 1 through July 31 </strong> <span>  of the following year. </span> </p> <p> <span> Currently, players are grouped strictly by birth year. Under the new system, age groups will be formed in a way that more closely aligns with  </span> <strong> school-year timelines </strong> <span> . </span> </p> <p> <span> This change was originally mandated by U.S. Soccer in 2017 to align with FIFA international standards, and it is now being implemented across youth soccer platforms nationwide. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <h2> <span> Who is making this change and why? </span> </h2> <p> <span> This change is being enacted by  </span> <strong> U.S. Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and AYSO </strong> <span> , following extensive review, discussion, and analysis. </span> </p> <p> <span> The collective decision was made based on: </span> </p> <ul> <li> <span> Feedback from clubs and families </span> </li> <li> <span> Developmental and participation data </span> </li> <li> <span> Expert input from youth development leaders </span> </li> </ul> <p> <span> The goal is to  </span> <strong> better align players with their school-grade peers </strong> <span> , create more inclusive team environments, and support long-term player development. </span> </p> <p> <span> CSA believes this age group formation model has the potential to be  </span> <strong> more inclusive </strong> <span>  and to  </span> <strong> increase participation </strong> <span> , while maintaining appropriate competitive standards. </span> </p> <h2> <br/> </h2> <h2> <span> Who will be affected? </span> </h2> <p> <span> All  </span> <strong> current competitive programs at Chicago Soccer Academy </strong> <span>  will be affected by this systemic change. </span> </p> <p> <span> Because of the shift to a seasonal-year model: </span> </p> <ul> <li> <span> Some players may move into a different age group </span> </li> <li> <span> Team formations may look different for the 2026–2027 season </span> </li> </ul> <p> <span> CSA is working diligently to ensure that  </span> <strong> player development remains the top priority </strong> <span> , and all decisions will be made with each athlete’s best interests in mind. </span> </p> <h2> <br/> </h2> <h2> <span> How is CSA preparing? </span> </h2> <p> <span> Our club leadership and coaching staff are already actively preparing for the transition. Current efforts include: </span> </p> <ol> <li> <strong> Reviewing all rosters and birthdates </strong> <span>  to project how teams may be affected at each level </span> </li> <li> <strong> Designing a process </strong> <span>  for school-year-based group trainings, tryouts, and evaluations for the 2026–2027 season </span> </li> <li> <strong> Communicating early and clearly </strong> <span>  so families understand the timeline, reasoning, and next steps </span> </li> </ol> <p> <span> We are committed to ensuring families have the information they need well in advance. </span> </p> <h2> <br/> </h2> <h2> <span> Age Group Alignment for the 2026–2027 Season </span> </h2> <p> <span> Below is the  </span> <strong> new age group alignment </strong> <span>  under the seasonal-year model: </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <p> <span> U6 players are born between August 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021. </span> </p> <p> <span> U7 players are born between August 1, 2019 and July 31, 2020. </span> </p> <p> <span> U8 players are born between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2019. </span> </p> <p> <span> U9 players are born between August 1, 2017 and July 31, 2018. </span> </p> <p> <span> U10 players are born between August 1, 2016 and July 31, 2017. </span> </p> <p> <span> U11 players are born between August 1, 2015 and July 31, 2016. </span> </p> <p> <span> U12 players are born between August 1, 2014 and July 31, 2015. </span> </p> <p> <span> U13 players are born between August 1, 2013 and July 31, 2014. </span> </p> <p> <span> U14 players are born between August 1, 2012 and July 31, 2013. </span> </p> <p> <span> U15 players are born between August 1, 2011 and July 31, 2012. </span> </p> <p> <span> U16 players are born between August 1, 2010 and July 31, 2011. </span> </p> <p> <span> U17 players are born between August 1, 2009 and July 31, 2010. </span> </p> <p> <span> U18/19 players are born between August 1, 2007 and July 31, 2009. <br/> </span> </p> <h2> <br/> </h2> <h2> <span> What happens next? </span> </h2> <p> <span> CSA will continue to  </span> <strong> monitor updates </strong> <span>  from U.S. Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, and state associations to ensure full compliance and to provide the best possible experience for our members. </span> </p> <p> <span> As details are finalized, we will share: </span> </p> <ul> <li> <span> Additional timelines </span> </li> <li> <span> Tryout and evaluation information </span> </li> <li> <span> Team formation updates </span> </li> </ul> <p> <span> In the meantime, please know that  </span> <strong> no immediate action is required </strong> <span>  from families. </span> </p> <p> <span> Our coaches will work closely with club leadership to evaluate each player holistically — considering  </span> <strong> technical, physical, psychological, and social development </strong> <span>  — and will communicate individual recommendations once planning is complete. </span> </p> <p> <br/> </p> <h2> <span> Our commitment to families </span> </h2> <p> <span> At Chicago Soccer Academy, we recognize that change can feel uncertain. We view this transition as an opportunity to  </span> <strong> make thoughtful, developmentally sound decisions </strong> <span>  that support each player’s long-term growth — both on and off the field. </span> </p> <p> <span> We are committed to helping every player continue to  </span> <strong> grow, develop, and thrive </strong> <span>  within CSA. </span> </p> <p> <span> Thank you for your continued trust and for being part of the  </span> <strong> Chicago Soccer Academy community </strong> <span> . <br/> <br/> </span> </p> </div> Thu, 12 Feb 2026 20:11:24 GMT https://www.csasocceracademy.com/age-group-update-for-the-20262027-season thumbnail main image