Age groups will now follow an August 1 – July 31 cut-off instead of the current calendar-year model.

The change aligns players with their school-year peers and eliminates situations where children are caught between age and grade cohorts.

No. All 2025–26 programs continue under the current system.

Playing up is determined by UFA's technical staff based on:

Skill

Maturity

Developmental needs

A player who is selected to play up for one season may continue to play up during additional seasons, or be placed back with his/her appropriate peer group at some point. 

As in previous years, any player who wants to attend tryouts for an older age group must obtain advance approval from GFR technical leadership to do so. He/She should talk to his/her current coach about, or reach out to the appropriate Age Group Director with, his/her request. Approval of such requests will be determined by technical leadership, with coaching staff input. Current GFR travel players will typically only play up if they are competitive and match the skill level to be placed on the top team in the age group they are seeking to play up in. Player development is unique to each player, and determinations about playing up will be made by technical staff through discussions with the parent(s) and player.

Practices begin late-August/early-September for the fall season and mid-February for the spring season. 

Grade is considered as part of the evaluation, but technical staff will still make the final decision.

Refer to the birth year matrix and upcoming age group calculator.

In addition, when you register in PlayMetrics, the system will automatically allocate your player to the appropriate age group.

Yes. Tryouts for the 2026–27 season will use the new cut-offs.

Updated timelines and details will be released in early 2026.

No, per US Club and US Youth Soccer Rules and Regulations, no players are allowed to play down an age group, regardless of size, skill or handicaps.  Even if a doctor’s excuse is received requesting that the player play down an age group, we still would not be able to grant that request.

Some player movement is expected. Athletes will be placed where they can develop best.

Yes. These players will experience the most age-group shifts.

No. Registration remains based on date of birth.

Being held back or advanced in school will not change a player’s official age group.

Yes. All league partners are transitioning to the same Aug 1–July 31 structure.