Indy Eleven Academy Moving to Academic Grade Year Age Groups

In alignment with US Soccer, Indy Eleven Academy will be shifting to the academic grade year for all team assignments beginning with the 2026-2027 season. US Soccer is transitioning from a birth year-based age group system determined by the calendar year (January 1st to December 31st) to one that aligns with the academic grade year system, specifically from August 1st to July 31st. This change aims to better synchronize youth soccer age groups with the academic year, which many players and families are already accustomed to.

This decision will be applicable for all programming outside of the Boys Pro Academy.  Here are a few key points to keep in mind as we move into this new age group structure:

• Tryouts: All players will tryout with their playing year age group based on the academic grade year calendar.  When you register for tryouts, your player will be assigned to the proper tryout time and is expected to attend their assigned tryout.  Teams will be rostered using the new calendar framework as the foundation with no plans to roll complete teams over together for the new season.

• Alignment with Academic Grade Year System: By adopting the academic grade year calendar, players will be grouped with peers who share the same educational experiences. This can enhance social interactions and development, as youth athletes are more likely to be with friends and classmates.

• Better Alignment with High School and College: This transition will practically eliminate the “trapped player” situation where blended school grades under the calendar birth year format created Fall Only teams, but also supports the college recruitment timeline and process better for athletes.

• Increased Participation: With playing groups aligned to school years, families may find it easier to navigate sports commitments, potentially increasing participation rates in soccer at the youth level.

The club has already begun evaluating how current rosters will be impacted by this shift, and will be utilizing training sessions this Spring as opportunities to train with groups using the new playing year framework.  In addition, we have a great tool that you can use to easily understand how your player’s birthdate will be impacted by the change. 

If you have any questions regarding the changes, please reach out to technical staff leadership, starting with your Director of Coaching which can be found on our website at https://www.indyelevenacademy.com/staff.

Regards,

Phil Presser, Technical Director 

Mark Webber, Executive Director