TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League (USL) announced today that it will adopt the August 1 to July 31 age group formation cycle for all players participating in USL Youth, effective with the start of the 2026 season.
This decision aligns USL Youth with major youth soccer organizations across the United States that have committed to the same approach. With the USL Youth season beginning earlier than many other leagues in the ecosystem, it will mark the first time players compete in this format in the seasonal year cycle in 2026-2027.
Over the past several months, USL Youth leadership engaged in extensive discussions with member clubs, club administrators, and stakeholders to gather their input on the change. Feedback pointed toward aligning with the broader ecosystem as the best way to streamline competitions and support player growth.
“Given the complimentary nature of the USL Youth platform, aligning with the majority of the youth soccer ecosystem is a natural step,” said Joel Nash, USL SVP of Pre-Professional and Youth. “Our aim is to continue supporting player development while offering inclusive opportunities for youth athletes nationwide. Any step we can take to help unify the youth soccer landscape is the right one.”
The change follows U.S. Soccer’s updated policy, which grants each Federation member organization the ability to determine age group registration rules for their leagues and competitions.
USL Youth believes this unified approach to age group formation will ease transitions between organizations, create a more consistent development pathway, and expand opportunities for players to thrive in competitive yet supportive environments.