At the start of the 2026–27 seasonal year, youth soccer clubs across the country will transition to a new age-group formation model. This change impacts all organizations participating in ECNL, U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS) US Club Soccer, and all affiliated platforms and leagues in which the Sting Soccer Organization participates.
At Sting our priority throughout this transition is to support our players, families, and coaches with clear communication and thoughtful planning. We wish to be transparent with our communication across all levels of the organization to best serve each individual player in what is best for their long-term development.
It is incredibly important to us that our players continue to enjoy their soccer, and we don’t want anyone to feel worried during this time period. Instead, we look at this as opportunity to collectively make the right choice for your player(s) that will have a positive long-term impact.
Below, we try to answer the most frequently asked questions about the change. If you still have questions regarding your player or this age group change after reading, the best place to direct your questions is to your current Coach. Coaches will be working with divisional / program leadership to form individual development recommendations for next season and will inform accordingly once this process is complete.
What is this exactly?
Starting in the 2026–27 season, age groups will move from a calendar-year format (January–December) to a seasonal-year format (August–July).
This approach groups players in a way that more closely mirrors school-year timelines and peer groupings.
Why the change?
After an extensive, multi-year review, U.S. Soccer and its member organizations identified developmental challenges associated with the calendar-year model. The return to a seasonal-year framework is intended to:
- Better align players with classmates and social peers
- Reduce relative age effects within teams
- Provide greater continuity during key developmental and transition periods
Does this mean any immediate change for my player?
No, we have been and will continue to assess and update our internal depth charts. In some cases, it may best serve players individual development to stay within their current teams age bracket. However, for others it may be best for them to play within their own age grouping. We will look at all aspects when coming to our conclusion including not only the technical competence but also the physical and psychological aspects of each player’s current profile.
What’s next?
Over the coming months, Sting Soccer Organization will take the following steps to guide players and families through this process:
- Family Information Communication – Club-wide communication will be held to review the changes and address questions. You should expect these from your Coach or program leadership.
- Continued Communication – Additional details and timelines will be shared across the upcoming months.
- Individual Communication – Coaches will share updates regarding your player(s)’ progress and potential plan for 26/27.
What do I do now?
No immediate action is required!
In summary, Sting wants to continue to support its players & families, providing access to the best competitive platforms, professional coaching staff and facilities. Our organization recognize that change can feel uncertain, but it’s part of progress. This shift can help our athletes continue to grow in the right environments – socially, developmentally, and competitively.
We appreciate your continued trust in the Sting Soccer Organization and look forward to working together to ensure a smooth and positive transition for all players.
Thank you for being part of the Sting family.