England: age groups for 2026/27
For standard grassroots youth football in England, use your child’s age at midnight on 31 August 2026. The usual starting group is that age plus one: a child aged 9 on that date starts with Under 10, even if they turn 10 during the season.
The list below gives the usual single-year group, not every group a player may be eligible for. The FA rules also cover playing up and approved exceptions.
- Age 6 on 31 August 2026: Under 7 (U7)
- Age 7: Under 8 (U8)
- Age 8: Under 9 (U9)
- Age 9: Under 10 (U10)
- Age 10: Under 11 (U11)
- Age 11: Under 12 (U12)
- Age 12: Under 13 (U13)
- Age 13: Under 14 (U14)
- Age 14: Under 15 (U15)
- Age 15: Under 16 (U16)
- Age 16: Under 17 (U17)
- Age 17: Under 18 (U18)
England: birth date examples and younger children
For 2026/27, the usual U7 birth dates are 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020; U10 is 1 September 2016 to 31 August 2017; U16 is 1 September 2010 to 31 August 2011. Both end dates are included.
A child must have reached their sixth birthday before playing matches under these FA rules. A child who turns 6 after 31 August can play only U7 that season once they reach 6; ask the club about introductory training separately.
Wales: standard 2026/27 groups and the pilot exception
Standard Welsh small-sided and junior football uses age on 31 August 2026 and school academic-year bands for 2026/27. These examples describe the usual single-year group; leagues can use one- or two-year bands and permitted exceptions.
Check whether your league is in the FAW Project Chwarae pilot before using these examples. Players in the March–November 2026 pilot retain their original age group until November, so a normal September move may not apply.
- U7: age 6 on 31 August 2026; born 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020
- U10: age 9; born 1 September 2016 to 31 August 2017
- U13: age 12; born 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2014
- U16: age 15; born 1 September 2010 to 31 August 2011
Scotland: check the competition and its birth year group
Scottish Youth FA (SYFA) grassroots rules use birth-year groups. Children’s football uses the calendar year, while youth football uses a season such as 2026/27; the examples below are usual cohorts, not complete registration limits.
Ask whether the club follows the SYFA children’s 2026 or 2027 programme, the youth 2026/27 season, or a different competition. Scottish Women’s Football, school and academy competitions may use different group labels and rules.
- SYFA children’s 2026: born in 2020 is the usual 6s cohort
- SYFA children’s 2026: born in 2016 is the usual 10s cohort
- SYFA youth 2026/27: born in 2014 is the usual 13s cohort; born in 2011 is the usual 16s cohort
- SYFA children’s 2027 moves the birth-year groups forward one year; confirm the club’s programme before choosing
- Scottish FA girls’ 2026 pathway: U10 groups children born in 2016 or 2017; SWF eligibility bands can overlap, so confirm with the club
Northern Ireland: use the named league or competition
The Irish FA’s amateur regulations leave player eligibility criteria to leagues. Ask which league or cup the team enters and which season’s birth-year rules it uses; do not apply England’s 31 August cut-off automatically.
As a specific example, the Northern Ireland Youth Football Association (NIYFA) Cup 2026/27 lists the following birth years. These are cup examples, not a rule for every Northern Irish team; approved league concessions and registration conditions also apply.
- NIYFA Cup 2026/27 U12: born in 2015
- NIYFA Cup 2026/27 U14: born in 2013
- NIYFA Cup 2026/27 U15: born in 2012
Confirm the group before joining
Tell the club which group you think fits and ask them to confirm the competition, season and registration requirements. Playing up or down needs the relevant rules and approvals; a birthday example does not grant permission.
Then ask whether beginners are welcome, whether the team has places, where training takes place and whether parents can stay. A club appearing in the directory does not confirm a vacancy.