5v5 Soccer believes teams should be combined based on skill level and not just age. Each age group includes three choices for Advanced, Intermediate, and Novice. The top club/travel teams should select Advanced, and rec/low level should select Novice. Everyone else would fall in to the Intermediate category. You can also think of these as Gold, Silver, and Bronze. You will register in your birth year (e.g. 2012 Boys for summer of 2026, or "U16" for 2026/2027 season), and select your competitive level.

For example: if the oldest player on your team was born on 9/1/2012, the team would register for the “2012” division for the summer of 2026, or U16 for the 2026/2027 Season. In bracketing, we may pair a 2012 Advanced team with a 2011 Intermediate team for competitive matches (merge U16 and U17 together). When we make divisions, we will combine divisions +/- 1 year/level to make the most competitive matches possible as described above. If there isn't a perfect fit for your team, the Tournament Director will reach out to work with you to make the best choice for your team.

If your team has mixed ages, or mostly younger players, and you'd like us to consider that when bracketing, please leave a special note in the comments section. Teams that play in the more competitive division for their age group will receive a 15 point “play up” bonus in the National Rankings, plus an additional 5 points for each “older” team they play against. As each 5v5 Soccer Tournament is a different mix of ages and skill levels, all division placements will be reviewed by the tournament director and teams may, at the sole discretion of the tournament director, be moved up or down to form the most competitive brackets possible. This means your team may play up a skill level, age group, or play in a boys and girls bracket.

2025/2026 AGE GROUPS

5v5 Soccer accepts male and female teams ages U6 to Adult. 5v5 Soccer uses Calendar Year ("Birth Year") age divisions for the 2025/2026 Season. Teams should register based upon the birth year of their oldest player. High School division should be chosen for teams ages Freshman – Seniors, with any special notes going in the comments section. Adult divisions are for teams with players 19 and above. Co-ed teams are accepted in our events but may have to play in the all-male age division. This registration cycle will end 9/1/2026, and shift to the 2026/2027 division scenario below.

2026/2027 AGE GROUP CHANGE

5v5 Soccer will adhere to U.S. Soccer youth affiliate guidelines (U.S. Youth Soccer, U.S. Club Soccer etc) regarding the Age Group Change (Official Release from U.S. Youth Soccer) for our 2026/2027 competition cycle. 5v5 Soccer will continue with "Birth Year" age groupings for the 2025/2026 competition cycle through September 1st, 2026 for qualifying tournaments. Tournaments after September 1st, 2026 will follow the Aug 1 - July 31st model (commonly referred to as school year model). After September 1st, divisions will be labeled 2015/2016 (U12) as en example.

US Club Soccer Age Matrix Chart (please note 2025/2026 v 2026/2027)

For the 2026 5v5 Soccer National Championship, teams will play based on Birth Year. Teams who have already switched (at their team level) to "School Year" model must register based on their oldest player. For example: a 2015/2016 team must register in 2015 in July and August 2026.