Starting in Fall 2026 there will be a change to the age bands for soccer teams.  For nearly a decade, whole birth years were used to determine age bands.  Next Fall the band will be changed to a 12 month span from August through July.  Some have referred to this as Academic or Grade Year bands - but please be aware that the actual grade of the player does not impact their age appropriate band, only their birth date and year.

You can find more information from US Youth Soccer on the change here: https://www.ussoccer.com/ecosystem-review/player-registration

US Youth soccer has also provided a tool to calculate your players new age group: https://www.ussoccer.com/ecosystem-review/player-registration/age-group-calculator

We have created a chart to show how the age bands will shift from this year to next year:

• U06 - Born from Aug 1, 2020 to Jul 31, 2021 - Developmental Academy only, no competitive division 
• U07 - Born from Aug 1, 2019 to Jul 31, 2020 - Developmental Academy only, no competitive division
• U08 - Born from Aug 1, 2018 to Jul 31, 2019 - Developmental Academy or on a team in a U8, U9 or U10 competitive division
• U09 - Born from Aug 1, 2017 to Jul 31, 2018 - can play on a team in a U9, U10 or U11 competitive division
• U10 - Born from Aug 1, 2016 to Jul 31, 2017 - can play on a team in a U10, U11 or U12 competitive division
• U11 - Born from Aug 1, 2015 to Jul 31, 2016 - can play on a team in a U11 or older competitive division
• U12 - Born from Aug 1, 2014 to Jul 31, 2015 - can play on a team in a U12 or older competitive division
• U13 - Born from Aug 1, 2013 to Jul 31, 2014 - can play on a team in a U13 or older competitive division
• U14 - Born from Aug 1, 2012 to Jul 31, 2013 - can play on a team in a U14 or older competitive division
• U15 - Born from Aug 1, 2011 to Jul 31, 2012 - can play on a team in a U15 or older competitive division
• U16 - Born from Aug 1, 2010 to Jul 31, 2011 - can play on a team in a U16 or older competitive division
• U17 - Born from Aug 1, 2009 to Jul 31, 2010 - can play on a team in a U17 or older competitive division
• U18 - Born from Aug 1, 2008 to Jul 31, 2009 - can play on a team in a U18 or older competitive division
• U19 - Born from Aug 1, 2007 to Jul 31, 2008 - can play on a team in a U19 competitive division

MVYSA Age Chart

As a Player First soccer club, Butler United will not be mandating a strict enforcement of the age change on players and teams, within League play rules (e.g., no players may play "down" and limitations to playing "up" at younger ages).  Early in the spring season, we will work with our coaches to establish who will be the coaches in the new age bands for Fall 2026.  Once these coaches have been announced, we will leave it to our coaches and parents to determine the best path forward for our teams and players.  Our expectation is that teams will start a shift toward the new bands and gradually adjust until they eventually become closely aligned to the new bands.

Players should watch for news on tryouts for both the teams they currently play for and also the teams that will be age appropriate for them in Fall 2026.  

Our hope is that our coaches and parents can have early open dialogue to find the best path forward for all our players and reduce uncertainty as soon as possible.