Age Groups & Birth Years
Soccer Age Groups in Dallas
How age divisions work in Dallas, plus a birth-year chart so you know exactly which group your player belongs to.
Youth soccer in Dallas — like all of Texas and US Youth Soccer — groups players by birth year, not by school grade. The age group is written as a "U" level (for "Under"), so a U10 team is for players under 10. Use the chart below to find your player's group for the current season.
How the seasonal year works
US Soccer uses a birth-year (calendar-year) registration system. Your player's age group is based on the year they were born, and the soccer year runs from fall to summer. Everyone born in the same calendar year plays in the same age group.
To find an age group, subtract the birth year from the seasonal end year. The interactive chart below does this for you for the current season.
What the U-levels mean
- U6–U8 — introductory, small-sided (4v4) recreational play, focused on fun.
- U9–U10 — 7v7, the typical entry point for academy and early competitive soccer.
- U11–U12 — 9v9, a key development stage as competitive play ramps up.
- U13 and up — 11v11 on a full field, with select, regional, and elite leagues.
- U15–U19 — high-school-age soccer, college recruiting, and the top elite leagues.
Birth-year chart (current season)
Find your player's birth year to see their age group and game format for this season.
| Age Group | Birth Year | Game Format |
|---|---|---|
| U6 | 2021 | 4v4 / small-sided |
| U7 | 2020 | 4v4 / small-sided |
| U8 | 2019 | 4v4 / small-sided |
| U9 | 2018 | 7v7 |
| U10 | 2017 | 7v7 |
| U11 | 2016 | 9v9 |
| U12 | 2015 | 9v9 |
| U13 | 2014 | 11v11 |
| U14 | 2013 | 11v11 |
| U15 | 2012 | 11v11 |
| U16 | 2011 | 11v11 |
| U17 | 2010 | 11v11 |
| U18 | 2009 | 11v11 |
| U19 | 2008 | 11v11 |
Frequently asked questions
Does my child play by birth year or school grade?
By birth year. US Youth Soccer and US Club Soccer in Texas group players by calendar birth year, so children in the same grade can sometimes be in different age groups if they were born in different years.
What does the 'U' in U10, U12 mean?
'U' stands for 'Under.' A U10 team is for players who are under 10 as of the seasonal cutoff — meaning they will not turn 11 before the season ends.
Can my child play up an age group in Dallas?
Often, yes. Many clubs in Dallas allow advanced players to "play up" with an older age group. Policies vary by club and league, so ask the coach or club director.