Starting with the 2026–27 seasonal year, all youth soccer programs across the United States will adopt a new age-group formation model. This update applies to all organizations participating in U.S. Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, Girls Academy (GA), MLS NEXT Academy (MLS Homegrown will remain birth year), and all affiliated competitions that Dallas Surf Soccer Club is a member. Please see the full article from US Club Soccer here.

Dallas Surf Soccer Club will be compliant with this change beginning in the 2026–27 season and is committed to supporting our players, families, and coaches throughout this transition.

What is Changing?

Beginning with the 2026–27 season, age group formations will shift from a calendar-year model (January–December) to a seasonal-year model (August–July).

Players will now be grouped based on birthdates that more closely align with school grade levels and social peer groups.

Why Is the System Changing?

Following a multi-year review, U.S. Soccer and its affiliated organizations identified challenges with the calendar-year model related to player experience and long-term development. The return to a seasonal-year (August–July) model aims to:

• Better align players with classmates and peers

• Reduce extreme relative age effects

• Improve continuity during key transition years

What Happens Next?

Over the coming months, Dallas Surf will take the following steps:

• Family information calls – We will host club-wide calls to explain the change in more detail and answer questions

• Ongoing communication – Additional details will be shared in January 2026

• Seasonal-year pool trainings – Beginning in late January, players will be invited to participate in age-group pool trainings based on future seasonal-year groupings.

  These sessions are designed to: Introduce players to future teammates, create familiarity in a low-pressure environment and support smooth roster planning ahead of tryouts