Beginning with the 2026–27 season, youth soccer across the United States will transition to a new age-group model. This is a nationwide change, not a decision made by FKK. All clubs and leagues participating in ECNL, US Club Soccer, US Youth Soccer (USYS), and affiliated competitions will be impacted.

Age groups will shift from a calendar-year model (January 1–December 31) to a seasonal-year model (August 1–July 31). The seasonal-year model closely aligns with school grade years and is designed to better group players with their classmates, streamline the college recruiting process, and support long-term player development across leagues and programs.

At FKK, our priority is to make this transition as smooth and positive as possible. Through thoughtful planning and clear communication, we are committed to supporting our players, families, and coaches every step of the way. Our goal is for this change to feel informed, well-managed, and not stressful. In the meantime, we encourage our players to continue enjoying their soccer and staying focused on the current season.

Additional details will be shared as we approach tryouts.

Thank you for your continued trust in FKK. We value being part of your player’s journey and look forward to a seamless transition together.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What happens now?
There is no immediate change to any player’s current team. Each player will continue to be evaluated individually, with consideration given to technical ability, physical development, and emotional readiness, to determine the environment that best supports their growth moving forward.

What happens in the next three months?
Over the next three months, families can expect:

• Club-wide communication with more details
• Continued updates as timelines are finalized
• Combined training sessions aligned with the new age-group model to help evaluate current FKK players ahead of tryouts

What happens to the players that are born in August?

August is considered the swing month in which players can either play up or down in age group. We look at the grade or graduation year of the player, and the competitive level of the team within the appropriate league.

What happens to uniform number conflicts?
When conflicts arise, the player with longer tenure at the club will have first choice of the number. If tenure is equal, the older player will be given priority.