“US Youth Soccer, AYSO, and US Club Soccer have collectively decided to move to an age group player formation cycle that runs from August 1 to July 31, starting with the 2026-27 season/registration year. This change was made based on additional critical feedback, data, and expert input to better align players with their school-grade peers.”
Coast Soccer League will be implementing the new “Seasonal Year”roster rules starting in the Spring of 2026.
Simply put, in the 2025 season teams were formed by “Calendar Year”, so the players born in a calendar year (January 1st to December 31st) were in an age group. The 2026 season will introduce the new “Seasonal Year” age groupings. Seasonal Year age groups use August 1st to July 31st birthdays, like they do for your kids school. So the oldest kids in an age group will now be born August 1st, and not January 1st. The below chart helps to visualize how the “Seasonal Year” age groups work for the upcoming Spring 2026 season.
In the above chart you can see that players born in 2017 are now split between two age groups, with the oldest player within each age group born on August 1st, and the youngest July 31st.
Moving to “Seasonal Year” age group formation ensures that all players, both competitive and recreational, have a greater opportunity to play with their friends from school. By aligning with the Seasonal Year, we’re fostering stronger team chemistry, a better player experience, and a more inclusive playing environment! This move is also expected to improve retention of players, with the overall goal of growing the game.
As a reminder, Seasonal Year was the standard model up until the 2016-2017 season. In 2016-2017 USYS decided to switch the current Calendar Year model to align U.S. youth soccer with international standards, as FIFA and most other countries use a January 1 to December 31 calendar year for age groups. This was to simplify scouting and comparisons for national teams.
Yes, you can keep your same roster if you would like. However, this would put your team, and some of your players at a significant age disadvantage. For example, a player born on December 31st, 2017 would be a year and 5 months younger than a player born August 1st, 2016. Using the new Seasonal Year age groups, players born August 1st to December 31st, 2017 are eligible to stay in U9 for the 2026 season.
As you probably know, CSL utilizes a system of promotion and relegation to ensure every team competes at the level they have earned, and also a level that fits their ability. This system of promotion and relegation does not apply for the Spring Season however.
The more relaxed Spring Season rules gives teams the ability to use the Spring as a prep for the Fall. Spring Soccer allows more players to compete in a competitive soccer environment without the added pressure to win games. Teams use the Spring to adapt to potential rules changes like going from 7v7 to 9v9, or to try new players on their rosters!
Due to the preparatory nature of the Spring Season, it’s the perfect time for CSL to implement the new “Seasonal Year” age group formation. Seasonal Year age group formation becomes MANDATORY for all leagues in FALL 2026, so why not do it now! Your team can gain valuable playing time and experience using your new roster before the upcoming 2026 Fall Season.
While some competitions and/or tournaments allow a transition season in the Spring, Coast Soccer League believes this is the best plan moving forward. We hope this clarifies any questions you may have.
Coaches may find more success in bringing new players to their teams that are classmates of their current players. It is highly encouraged for coaches within the same club to collaborate with each other to consider which players may potentially be adjusting to a new team with new teammates.
Players are not allowed to register for a team younger than their age in the Seasonal Year matrix. Players are allowed to register for a team in an older age group. There may be a few reasons for a player to register in an older age group, but player safety and long-term player development should always be considered before doing so.
School grades do not play a part in this, just the child’s birth year. They would still play at the same level determined by the Age Matrix regardless of their school grade.
Cal South’s Pro+ Olympic Development Program (ODP) will not be affected by the change from Birth Year to Seasonal Year. ODP has always grouped its pool selections and scouting solely on Birth Year and will continue to do so.
The change will not affect age requirements for the 2026 State Cup and National Cup competitions as they begin play before the Spring 2026 season.
Coast Soccer League will be implementing the new “Seasonal Year”roster rules starting in the Spring of 2026.