What Age Group Is My Child In? (2026/27)
English youth football groups children by school year, not their age on matchday. Your child's age group for the 2026/27 season depends on how old they are on 31 August 2026. Find their date of birth in the table below.
| Born between | Age group 2026/27 | Format | Ball |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sep 2019 – 31 Aug 2020 | Under 7s (U7) | 5v5 | Size 3 |
| 1 Sep 2018 – 31 Aug 2019 | Under 8s (U8) | 5v5 | Size 3 |
| 1 Sep 2017 – 31 Aug 2018 | Under 9s (U9) | 7v7 | Size 4 |
| 1 Sep 2016 – 31 Aug 2017 | Under 10s (U10) | 7v7 | Size 4 |
| 1 Sep 2015 – 31 Aug 2016 | Under 11s (U11) | 9v9 | Size 4 |
| 1 Sep 2014 – 31 Aug 2015 | Under 12s (U12) | 9v9 | Size 4 |
| 1 Sep 2013 – 31 Aug 2014 | Under 13s (U13) | 11v11 | Size 4 |
| 1 Sep 2012 – 31 Aug 2013 | Under 14s (U14) | 11v11 | Size 4 |
| 1 Sep 2011 – 31 Aug 2012 | Under 15s (U15) | 11v11 | Size 5 |
| 1 Sep 2010 – 31 Aug 2011 | Under 16s (U16) | 11v11 | Size 5 |
| 1 Sep 2009 – 31 Aug 2010 | Under 17s (U17) | 11v11 | Size 5 |
| 1 Sep 2008 – 31 Aug 2009 | Under 18s (U18) | 11v11 | Size 5 |
Common questions
How are youth football age groups decided?
English youth football uses the school-year system: your child's age group for a season is based on how old they are on 31 August that year, not on the day they play. So everyone in the same school year plays in the same age group.
My child has a summer birthday — which group are they in?
The cut-off is 31 August. A child born on 31 August is in the older group; a child born on 1 September drops into the year below. Summer-born children are often the youngest in their age group — clubs are aware of this and the FA allows flexibility to play down where appropriate.
Can my child play in a different age group?
Within FA rules a player can "play up" into an older age group, and in some cases play down one year, with the club and league's agreement. See our football formats guide for what each age group plays.
What format will my child play?
It changes with age: 5v5 at U7–U8, 7v7 at U9–U10, 9v9 at U11–U12, then 11v11 from U13. Ball and pitch sizes step up too — the table above links each age group to its full rules.