As we look forward to the 2026-27 school year, we want to communicate an important change required of all youth soccer clubs beginning in July 2026. This spring will be our final season organizing children based on birth year (for example, during the 2025-26 school year all children born in 2017 are considered U9). Starting in fall 2026, we will organize our Mini Garnets, Intramural, and Travel programs according to new age group cutoffs instituted by our governing bodies: US Soccer, Eastern NY Soccer, and the Westchester Youth Soccer League. Here are four resources to help all of us plan for 2026-27:
1. Age Group Charts for Each RYS Core Program: see below
2. Q & A: see below
3. 5-minute video explaining the changes: click HERE to view
4. A 30-second survey that requires your completion: click HERE to complete
2026-27 Age Group Chart for RYS Mini Garnets
U3 - children born August 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 (note: children born in 2024 are not yet eligible for RYS)
U4 - children born August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023
U5 - children born August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2022
2026-27 Age Group Chart for RYS Intramurals
U6 - children born August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021
U7 - children born August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2020
U8 - children born August 1, 2018 through July 31, 2019
U9 - children born August 1, 2017 through July 31, 2018 (**if not enrolled in U9 Travel**)
2026-27 Age Group Chart for RYS Travel
U9 - children born August 1, 2017 through July 31, 2018
U10 - children born August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017
U11 - children born August 1, 2015 through July 31, 2016
U12 - children born August 1, 2014 through July 31, 2015
U13 - children born August 1, 2013 through July 31, 2014
U14 - children born August 1, 2012 through July 31, 2013
U15 - children born August 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012
U16 - children born August 1, 2010 through July 31, 2011
U17 - children born August 1, 2009 through July 31, 2010
U18 - children born August 1, 2008 through July 31, 2009
U19 - children born August 1, 2007 through July 31, 2008
1. Age Group Charts for Each RYS Core Program: see below
2. Q & A: see below
3. 5-minute video explaining the changes: click HERE to view
4. A 30-second survey that requires your completion: click HERE to complete
2026-27 Age Group Chart for RYS Mini Garnets
U3 - children born August 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023 (note: children born in 2024 are not yet eligible for RYS)
U4 - children born August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023
U5 - children born August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2022
2026-27 Age Group Chart for RYS Intramurals
U6 - children born August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2021
U7 - children born August 1, 2019 through July 31, 2020
U8 - children born August 1, 2018 through July 31, 2019
U9 - children born August 1, 2017 through July 31, 2018 (**if not enrolled in U9 Travel**)
2026-27 Age Group Chart for RYS Travel
U9 - children born August 1, 2017 through July 31, 2018
U10 - children born August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017
U11 - children born August 1, 2015 through July 31, 2016
U12 - children born August 1, 2014 through July 31, 2015
U13 - children born August 1, 2013 through July 31, 2014
U14 - children born August 1, 2012 through July 31, 2013
U15 - children born August 1, 2011 through July 31, 2012
U16 - children born August 1, 2010 through July 31, 2011
U17 - children born August 1, 2009 through July 31, 2010
U18 - children born August 1, 2008 through July 31, 2009
U19 - children born August 1, 2007 through July 31, 2008
Question: Why the switch?
Answer: The decision to make the switch from birth year to age groups was made by US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer. It has been passed down to state soccer associations and leagues that govern Rye Youth Soccer and all other youth soccer clubs.
Question: Who is eligible for Mini Garnets in Fall ‘26?
Answer: Our Mini Garnets program is for our U3 players with 2023 birthdates (only those born between August 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023), U4 players (August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023), and U5 players (August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022). Please note that if you decide to register your U3 child who was born between August 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023, this means that your child will have 3 years of Mini Garnets (2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29) before being eligible for Intramurals.
Question: In past seasons, U4 and U5 children had separate Saturday Mini Garnets times (for example, U5 children on Saturdays at 8am and U4 children on Saturdays at 9am). Will this be the case in Fall ‘26?
Answer: No. Starting in Fall ‘26, U5, U4, and U3 (only those born between August 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023) children can enroll in either of our Saturday sessions (8am or 9am) AND our Wednesday session (2:30pm-3:15pm). Once any session fills up, we will close that session and only allow registration for open sessions. On Saturday mornings, children will be separated into developmentally appropriate groupings based on age and/or skill level.
Question: Who is eligible for Intramurals in Fall ‘26?
Answer: Our Intramural program is for all of our U6, U7, and U8 players (therefore, all children born between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2021) AND U9 players (August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018) who prefer to play one more year of Intramurals, do not wish to play Travel soccer, and/or are not selected for a U9 Travel roster.
Question: My child was born on August 4, 2018 and as of June 2026 will have played 3 years of intramurals. Can you make an exception and allow my child to try out for U9 travel soccer?
Answer: No. Children born on or after August 1, 2018 will be eligible for U8 Intramural Soccer. Players born between August 1 and December 31, 2018 will also have priority registration for the U8 Supplemental Program, which our directors, Chris and Erica, lead on Wednesday afternoons in the fall and spring. This gives U8 players a taste of travel soccer training and will help prepare them further for their U9 season.
Question: Who is eligible for Travel Soccer in Fall ‘26?
Answer: Children born on or before July 31, 2018 whom our staff have evaluated and selected for a team.
Question: My child will be eligible for U9 Travel Soccer in Fall ‘26, but we would prefer to do one more year of Intramurals. Is this ok?
Answer: Absolutely. Our oldest Intramural age group is open to U8 players and U9 players who prefer to play one more year of Intramurals, do not wish to play Travel soccer, or were not selected for a U9 Travel roster.
Question: My child was born in November 2017 and played U9 Travel Soccer during the 2025-26 school year. Can he continue with his same team in 2026-27 and play U10 travel soccer?
Answer: Most likely not. Unless Coach Chris or Erica has contacted your family about making an exception due to your child’s soccer development needs and our teams’ needs, your child will participate in U9 travel soccer again in 2026-27. Approximately ⅓ to ½ of children in each travel age group will be in this position of “repeating” a year of travel, and we will take this opportunity to help our players develop even further. We anticipate 1-2 exceptions per age group due to superior skill level or needs of the age group.
Question: My child was born in October 2015 and played U11 Travel Soccer during the 2025-26 school year. I understand that she will “repeat” U11 in 2026-27, but I’m wondering how she will be placed on a new team. Can you tell me more about that?
Answer: Our 2026-27 travel placement process consists of two types of evaluations: 1) Throughout the spring, our Head of Boys’ Travel (Chris) and Girls’ Travel (Erica) will work with the training staff to evaluate our players in preparation for the many changes that will be made to all of our team rosters. Evaluations will be based on performance in training, performance in matches, attendance, and overall enthusiasm for and engagement in our various soccer sessions; 2) Each age group will have an evaluation/tryout date in May (click HERE to view all dates: note: these dates will be updated by early April 2026)
Question: My child was born in May 2018 and would like to play U9 Travel soccer during the 2026-27 school year. What is the process for this?
Answer: RYS will evaluate rising U9 players (this includes current U8 players AND current U9 players who are born on or after August 1, 2017) on Friday, May 15 as part of our Intramural weekday training. These evaluations, together with observations made by staff coaches throughout the spring season, will inform team selection and placement. RYS will send more information on Travel registration as we get into mid-April.
Question: My child is playing on a travel team during the 2025-26 school year and would like to continue in 2026-27. Is there another tryout to determine team selection and placement for next school year?
Answer: Yes, our 2026-27 travel placement process consists of two types of evaluations: 1) Throughout the spring, our Head of Boys’ Travel (Chris) and Girls’ Travel (Erica) will work with the training staff to evaluate our players in preparation for the many changes that will be made to all of our team rosters. Evaluations will be based on performance in training, performance in matches, attendance, and overall enthusiasm for and engagement in our various soccer sessions; 2) Each age group will have an evaluation/tryout date in May (click HERE to view all dates: note: these dates will be updated by early April 2026)
If after reading through the entire Q&A above you feel like your question has not yet been answered, please reach out to whichever person is most appropriate:
For General Questions/Questions re: Mini Garnets & Intramurals:
Helen, Director of Operations, [email protected]
For Specific Questions re: the Boys Travel Program:
Chris, Director of Coaching and Boys' Travel, chris@ryeyouthsoccer.org
For Specific Questions re: the Girls Travel Program:
Erica, Director of Girls' Travel, [email protected]
Answer: The decision to make the switch from birth year to age groups was made by US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer. It has been passed down to state soccer associations and leagues that govern Rye Youth Soccer and all other youth soccer clubs.
Question: Who is eligible for Mini Garnets in Fall ‘26?
Answer: Our Mini Garnets program is for our U3 players with 2023 birthdates (only those born between August 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023), U4 players (August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023), and U5 players (August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022). Please note that if you decide to register your U3 child who was born between August 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023, this means that your child will have 3 years of Mini Garnets (2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29) before being eligible for Intramurals.
Question: In past seasons, U4 and U5 children had separate Saturday Mini Garnets times (for example, U5 children on Saturdays at 8am and U4 children on Saturdays at 9am). Will this be the case in Fall ‘26?
Answer: No. Starting in Fall ‘26, U5, U4, and U3 (only those born between August 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023) children can enroll in either of our Saturday sessions (8am or 9am) AND our Wednesday session (2:30pm-3:15pm). Once any session fills up, we will close that session and only allow registration for open sessions. On Saturday mornings, children will be separated into developmentally appropriate groupings based on age and/or skill level.
Question: Who is eligible for Intramurals in Fall ‘26?
Answer: Our Intramural program is for all of our U6, U7, and U8 players (therefore, all children born between August 1, 2018 and July 31, 2021) AND U9 players (August 1, 2017 - July 31, 2018) who prefer to play one more year of Intramurals, do not wish to play Travel soccer, and/or are not selected for a U9 Travel roster.
Question: My child was born on August 4, 2018 and as of June 2026 will have played 3 years of intramurals. Can you make an exception and allow my child to try out for U9 travel soccer?
Answer: No. Children born on or after August 1, 2018 will be eligible for U8 Intramural Soccer. Players born between August 1 and December 31, 2018 will also have priority registration for the U8 Supplemental Program, which our directors, Chris and Erica, lead on Wednesday afternoons in the fall and spring. This gives U8 players a taste of travel soccer training and will help prepare them further for their U9 season.
Question: Who is eligible for Travel Soccer in Fall ‘26?
Answer: Children born on or before July 31, 2018 whom our staff have evaluated and selected for a team.
Question: My child will be eligible for U9 Travel Soccer in Fall ‘26, but we would prefer to do one more year of Intramurals. Is this ok?
Answer: Absolutely. Our oldest Intramural age group is open to U8 players and U9 players who prefer to play one more year of Intramurals, do not wish to play Travel soccer, or were not selected for a U9 Travel roster.
Question: My child was born in November 2017 and played U9 Travel Soccer during the 2025-26 school year. Can he continue with his same team in 2026-27 and play U10 travel soccer?
Answer: Most likely not. Unless Coach Chris or Erica has contacted your family about making an exception due to your child’s soccer development needs and our teams’ needs, your child will participate in U9 travel soccer again in 2026-27. Approximately ⅓ to ½ of children in each travel age group will be in this position of “repeating” a year of travel, and we will take this opportunity to help our players develop even further. We anticipate 1-2 exceptions per age group due to superior skill level or needs of the age group.
Question: My child was born in October 2015 and played U11 Travel Soccer during the 2025-26 school year. I understand that she will “repeat” U11 in 2026-27, but I’m wondering how she will be placed on a new team. Can you tell me more about that?
Answer: Our 2026-27 travel placement process consists of two types of evaluations: 1) Throughout the spring, our Head of Boys’ Travel (Chris) and Girls’ Travel (Erica) will work with the training staff to evaluate our players in preparation for the many changes that will be made to all of our team rosters. Evaluations will be based on performance in training, performance in matches, attendance, and overall enthusiasm for and engagement in our various soccer sessions; 2) Each age group will have an evaluation/tryout date in May (click HERE to view all dates: note: these dates will be updated by early April 2026)
Question: My child was born in May 2018 and would like to play U9 Travel soccer during the 2026-27 school year. What is the process for this?
Answer: RYS will evaluate rising U9 players (this includes current U8 players AND current U9 players who are born on or after August 1, 2017) on Friday, May 15 as part of our Intramural weekday training. These evaluations, together with observations made by staff coaches throughout the spring season, will inform team selection and placement. RYS will send more information on Travel registration as we get into mid-April.
Question: My child is playing on a travel team during the 2025-26 school year and would like to continue in 2026-27. Is there another tryout to determine team selection and placement for next school year?
Answer: Yes, our 2026-27 travel placement process consists of two types of evaluations: 1) Throughout the spring, our Head of Boys’ Travel (Chris) and Girls’ Travel (Erica) will work with the training staff to evaluate our players in preparation for the many changes that will be made to all of our team rosters. Evaluations will be based on performance in training, performance in matches, attendance, and overall enthusiasm for and engagement in our various soccer sessions; 2) Each age group will have an evaluation/tryout date in May (click HERE to view all dates: note: these dates will be updated by early April 2026)
If after reading through the entire Q&A above you feel like your question has not yet been answered, please reach out to whichever person is most appropriate:
For General Questions/Questions re: Mini Garnets & Intramurals:
Helen, Director of Operations, [email protected]
For Specific Questions re: the Boys Travel Program:
Chris, Director of Coaching and Boys' Travel, chris@ryeyouthsoccer.org
For Specific Questions re: the Girls Travel Program:
Erica, Director of Girls' Travel, [email protected]