ANAHEIM, Calif. (Friday, March 21, 2025) – Cal South (California State Soccer Association – South) today officially announced that it will adopt the Seasonal Year age group formation cycle for registration of players beginning with the Spring 2026 season.
This decision follows US Youth Soccer’s recent announcement (on March 5th) to adopt registration based on the Seasonal Year as its standard. USYS selected its inaugural season for the new policy as Fall 2026-2027 (September 1 to August 31). Cal South has elected to go with Spring 2026 to begin implementation, thereby easing the transition for parents, players, coaches, and registrars ahead of the Fall 2026 season.
For the 2026-2027 seasonal year and beyond, Cal South will recognize the Seasonal Year age grouping method as occurring from September 1st through August 31st (as opposed to the Birth Year method or August 1st season currently offered). This will align all organizations with the National standard presented by the U.S. Soccer Federation, including US Club Soccer and AYSO.
The change ensures that all players, both competitive and recreational, have a greater opportunity to play soccer with their friends from school. The registration parameters will not change for Cal South players for the upcoming Fall 2025 season, which will continue to be based on Birth Year until the Spring 2026 season. The change will also not affect age requirements for the 2026 State Cup and National Cup competitions as they begin play before the Spring 2026 season.
Late in 2024, U.S. Soccer Federation released a policy which empowered member organizations to make their own registration choices for leagues and competitions that they sanction and/or run. Aligning with the Seasonal Year calendar is a return to a policy in place prior to a 2016 U.S. Soccer decision to move to Birth Year registration (January 1 – December 31). The change was made at that point in time in an effort to align with international soccer standards.
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Cal South will host an online webinar on April 9, 2025 at 7PM, open to the full membership, where staff members will outline the new policy and discuss how it will be worked back into Cal South’s registration system next spring…
About Cal South:
The California State Soccer Association – South (Cal South) is a 501(c)(3) California public benefit corporation and is an official youth and adult state soccer association of the United States Soccer Federation, US Youth Soccer, and the United States Adult Soccer Association. The organization, with a service area that extends from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, provides rewarding recreational and competitive opportunities for players of all ages, genders, and skill levels. For more information: calsouth.com
