Beginning with the 2026–27 season, youth soccer in the United States will transition to a new age-group structure based on a school-year model (August 1 – July 31) rather than the current calendar-year format. This national change, adopted across multiple governing bodies, is designed to better align players with their peers and create more consistent developmental environments.
At Phoenix Rising FC Youth Soccer, this shift strongly supports our Development First Approach. Grouping players more closely by school year helps reduce large physical and emotional gaps, improves team chemistry, and creates training environments that are more appropriate for long-term player growth. Our priority remains providing the best possible experience for every player, on and off the field, while supporting confidence, enjoyment, and retention in the game.
We know families may have questions about how this change impacts their player, team placement, and the upcoming seasons. To keep communication clear and transparent, we’ve created a dedicated resource page with timelines, FAQs, and examples. We encourage all families to visit our website to learn more and stay informed as we navigate this transition together.
We are proud to be the only club in the state of Arizona with a direct pathway to professional soccer, as well as continuing to have a successful pathway to collegiate soccer as well.
