Age Group Formation for 2026-2027 Season
For the 2026-2027 soccer season, the age group of youth soccer players will be changing for ALL clubs in the country. As many of you know, US Youth Soccer (USYS), US Club Soccer, and American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) announced that they agreed to adopt a seasonal year age group formation for players. This change shifts travel soccer teams across the country from a birth year model to a school or grade year model.
As members of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA), KOPSC falls within the framework of this change and as such, we will also be moving from a birth year model to a school or grade year model.
To best align with our area school grade years, KOPSC will use an August 1 + actual grade year approach.
- Example 1 - August 15, 2015 birthday and going into 5th grade (held back in terms of grade year) - plays with 5th grade team (11U).
- Example 2 - August 15, 2015 birthday and going into 6th grade - plays with 6th grade team (12U).
2026-27 Age Groups
| Age Group | DOB Range | Grade | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8U | 8/1/2018 - 7/31/2019 | 2 | 7v7 |
| 9U | 8/1/2017 - 7/31/2018 | 3 | 7v7 |
| 10U | 8/1/2016 - 7/31/2017 | 4 | 7v7 |
| 11U | 8/1/2015 - 7/31/2016 | 5 | 9v9 |
| 12U | 8/1/2014 - 7/31/2015 | 6 | 9v9 |
| 13U | 8/1/2013 - 7/31/2014 | 7 | 11v11 |
| 14U | 8/1/2012 - 7/31/2013 | 8 | 11v11 |
| 15U | 8/1/2011 - 7/31/2012 | 9 | 11v11 |
| 16U | 8/1/2010 - 7/31/2011 | 10 | 11v11 |
| 17U | 8/1/2009 - 7/31/2010 | 11 | 11v11 |
| 18U | 8/1/2008 - 7/31/2009 | 12 | 11v11 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will KOPSC have enough players to field teams?
Yes. While there are variations among our many travel teams, we have a significant amount of players across our teams and typically see new players each season.
- Who will coach my player's team?
We have a vast pool of volunteer coaches across our current Competitive Academy teams and are always securing new coaches. Our professional staff will assist in training and supporting any new coaches as usual. With every season, we do see coaching changes based on player shifts. For 2026-2027, we may have a more significant player shift due to the grade year change but the Board's Tryout Committee along with professional staff will work to ensure all teams have exceptional coaching.
- Will KOPSC teams be competitive with the change?
We believe our teams will continue to be very competitive with other clubs in our area. We are fortunate to have great talent, dedicated volunteer coaches, and wonderful professional staff. Additionally, all youth soccer clubs are making these grade year changes.
- Can my August birthdate player select to play on the younger grade team?
In order to reach the goal of best aligning players with their grade level peers, August players will try-out and play with their actual grade year level.
- What if my child has a birthday before August but is in a younger grade?
Unfortunately, the August 1 date is a hard cut off and any earlier birth date would be considered playing down which is explicitly not allowed. Players with birthdates before August 1 in a younger grade, will be required to tryout and play with the grade year that their birth date aligns with.
- Can my player play up to stay with his/her current team?
Our playing up policy will remain unchanged. All players will try out with their age group. However, where a player's technical, tactical, mental, and physical abilities warrant consideration for playing at the next age level, they may also be evaluated by the next grade year group. When it is determined to be in the best interest of a player’s development and the player’s assessment determines the player to be an impact-player (top 25%) of the players in the older age group then he/she earns the chance to play up.
EPYSA Statement
For complete information about this upcoming change from EPYSA please click here