What This Means for DMSC Families

• DMSC will continue using birth-year age groups for the Spring 2026 season.
• As a member club under Iowa Soccer Association, US Youth Soccer, and US Soccer, DMSC will align with the new age-group system beginning Fall 2026. 
• Ahead of the Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 season, we’ll share clear guidance to help families understand team placements and what to expect.
• Our goal is to make this transition smooth and transparent while keeping player development and team continuity at the center of our decisions.

We’ll provide more details as national organizations release further instructions and tools to assist clubs and families.

Age Group Transition FAQ — Effective Fall 2026- Spring 2027 Season

What is changing with age groups?
Starting with the Fall 2026- Spring 2027 season (registration year beginning Fall 2026), youth soccer age groups will shift from a “birth year” calendar system (January 1 – December 31) to a “seasonal year” format that runs August 1 – July 31. 

Why is this change happening?

• It aligns better with the school year so players are more likely to be playing with peers in their same grade.
• It helps reduce the number of so-called “trapped players” — players whose birthdays make them older than many of their school-year teammates and can lead to imbalanced experiences.
• It supports consistency across major youth soccer organizations in the U.S. 

When will this take effect?
Teams organized by birth year remains in place for the Spring 2026 season. The new system (Aug 1-July 31) begins for the Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 registration year (starting Fall 2026). 

Does this mean registration is based on school grade instead of birthdate?
Not exactly. Players will still be placed based on birth date, but the birth-date range changes to Aug 1 – July 31. Their grade does not automatically determine placement. 

How might this affect my child’s age group/team?

• If your child was born between January 1 and July 31, they will move up an age group for the Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 in most cases. 
• If your child was born between August 1 and December 31, they may remain in the same age group they are in currently. 
• Please note: DMSC may have specific decisions based on its teams, competition level, and roster structure.

What about teams with “playing up” or older age groups — will those options still exist?
Yes. Playing up (a younger player joining an older age group) will still be possible, but such decisions will continue to be made by coaches and technical staff with the player’s development in mind. Being in the same school grade alone will not guarantee playing up.

Will this affect all leagues/programs equally?
Most youth soccer organizations are transitioning to the Aug 1-July 31 format, including elite leagues.

What do I need to do now as a parent?

• Stay tuned for our club’s timeline and communications about Select tryouts, registration, and team placements for the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 season.
• Review your child’s birthdate in light of the new range and think about how it may affect their age group. See Age Group Chart.
• If you have concerns about team continuity (e.g., playing with current teammates) or development pathways, reach out early to your program staff:
• Academy & Select players: Contact Matt Lamale at academy@desmoinessoccerclub.org
• 6U-8U, 9U+ Rec players: Contact Zach Scott at doc@desmoinessoccerclub.org 

 We’ll be ready to help explain how the transition applies here at DMSC.

If you have additional general questions,  you’re welcome to contact us at membership@desmoinessoccerclub.org. We want to ensure you and your player feel supported through this transition.