Beginning Fall 2026, player registration changes nationwide.
U.S. Soccer is changing to grade-based player registration beginning with the 2026/2027 registration cycle.
United States Soccer governing bodies have mandated that clubs return to grade-based organization of teams for the 2026–2027 season. (USYS, US Club, and USSSA).
Organizations will be using an August 1 to July 31 age group for the 2026–27 season. This is a change from the previous January 1 to December 31 cut-off.
This is a nationwide change. ALL CLUBS will be transitioning to grade-based teams. ECNL, ECNL-RL, GA, GA-Aspire, DPL, EA, MLS Next Academy, and State Leagues.
Aswe move toward the 2026–2027 season and beyond, our goal is for teams to be fully aligned with a player’s school grade whenever possible. This provides greater social continuity, roster stability, and a clearer long-term development pathway.
That said, final age group placement must always comply with the nationally mandated date-of-birth ranges (August 1 – July 31). In cases where a player’s school grade does not align with the permitted age range based on their date of birth, the age group determined by DOB will take precedence.
FAQs
WHY THE CHANGE?
A uniform system of organization to form teams allows for equitable competition, targeted instruction and focused skill development. The primary reason for the change to grade-based teams is to better align soccer age groups with school years, which is intended to keep more players on teams with their classmates. The goal is also to increase player participation and retention allowing for children to play with friends from the same grade.
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT MY CHILD?
For players born in the second half of the year, the upcoming change may feel like a “re-do” of a birth year—some will remain in the same soccer age group for two years, while others might shift to play with younger teammates. Your child’s roster will likely change, as it does slightly every tryout cycle.
Remind your child that change is part of youth sports. While the long-term goal is stability, there may be some short term disruptions and team changes as everyone adapts. Encourage them to see new teammates as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback. It’s important to talk to your child about changes and help them understand how it might affect their soccer experience, however Utah Surf is confident that we will successfully be able to continue to provide a good home for all players.
WILL MATCH FIT SURF HAVE ENOUGH PLAYERS ACROSS EACH AGE GROUP TO FORM COMPETITIVE TEAMS?
YES! Match Fit Surf is well-positioned to have enough players across each age group to form competitive teams. We continue to attract a strong and consistent player pool year over year due to our reputation, coaching quality, soccer environment, and clear development pathway. Most age groups have sufficient depth not only to field full rosters, but also to maintain internal competition, which is critical for long-term player development and team performance. Overall, our structure, reach, and player retention give us confidence that each age group will be able to form teams that are both viable and competitive within their respective leagues and levels of play.
WHAT IF I THINK MY CHILD SHOULD BE PLAYING UP?
If you believe your child’s development warrants consideration for “playing up”, please reach out to the coaches and program directors to discuss this individually.
PLAYING UP
Play-up opportunities on our national level teams will be minimized to safeguard long term player development, competitive integrity, and roster balance. State teams will have greater flexibility.
Any consideration for team placement because of age/grade anomalies will be made collaboratively by the Directors and Coaching Staff. When considering a player to play up, the following criteria will guide the decision – Impact on player development, competition level and recruitment opportunities as well as team needs and roster balance. Guiding Principle – All decisions will prioritize what is best for the player and the overall team environment.
OUR COMMITMENT
We are optimistic about the age group change and feel that it is an effective plan for the long term stability of our sport. While we realize change can be scary, we are confident that we will navigate the changes successfully, as we continue to create opportunities for our players, coaches and families.
Please see the Age Group Matrix below to determine the appropriate age group for your child. As we navigate these changes as a club and as a community, we are excited for what’s ahead for youth soccer and invite you to join us in our quest to be the best of the best soccer club in NJ!
