Real Colorado Club Update: Youth Soccer Age Group Change (Fall 2026)

We understand the upcoming shift from birth year to school year alignment has raised questions for many families, especially as players think ahead to next year. As previously shared, Real Colorado will align with a nationwide change to youth soccer age groups beginning in Fall 2026, transitioning from a birth year model to one that more closely reflects the school calendar with the goal of increasing participation for all players. (see the age group chart here)

Key points to know:

• This change begins Fall 2026 (it is not immediate).

• For our competitive and elite programs, the Spring 2026 season remains important for competition, development, and growth. The players who improve the most between now and tryouts will be best positioned for fall placement.

• For Recreational families, the focus for Spring 2026 is a positive spring season with teammates and friends and learning to love the sport!

• This is a governing body decision, designed to better align players with school peers and reduce “trapped player” situations where player loss rates are the highest.

• Real Colorado will approach this transition the same way we approach everything: development, accountability, and competitive standards.

Player placement is never simple, but we will ensure the process is clear, transparent, and communicated well in advance.  Families can expect consistent answers and no surprises.

Each program has created a transition timeline and calendar of opportunities, including Spring evaluation opportunities as necessary and the Fall 2026 age group ID days/tryouts, so families understand the process and what to expect.

Thank you for being a part of Real Colorado and supporting your player or players experiences.

Hello Real ECNL and RL Girls Families,

Real Colorado is one of eight clubs in the country to support two girl's teams in each age group in the ECNL as well as having an outstanding RL program. Last year our 08 National team became National Champions. This season we have 2 conference winners for the first time in the Texas conference, and all 6 teams are in position again to make the playoffs. We have a record number of players committed to play in college from our National, Athletico and Olympico 2026 Graduating class.

Fall 2026 Real Colorado girls ECNL program will align with the new school year age group change of August 1st - July 31st. This email will have important dates and information for our girls' ECNL program on how we plan to accomplish these changes within our current teams.

REAL COLORADO APPROACH TO THE TRANSITION:

• Age Group ID Days will be held in April 2026

• Current players on an ECNL, ECNL-RL or CSA outside of Real Colorado cannot attend without written permission from their club.

• Tryouts will be held in May 2026

All coaches are currently identifying players and having them out with their teams giving us a head start with our current players .

Your current coach will have individual conversations with ECNL and RL players in the High School age groups that fall into the NEW age group change.

REAL COLORADO’S PLACEMENT PHILOSOPHY FOR FALL 2026 AND SPRING 2027 ECNL AND RL HIGH SCHOOL AGE PLAYERS:

For our high school–aged players and older, we will not require anyone to move down to a younger group. We recognize that their time at Real Colorado is limited and want them to finish their experience in the environment that best supports their goals. However, when there are competitive or developmental advantages to aligning with the new age groups that aligns better with peers and school, we will encourage players to explore those opportunities.

For our 2013 and younger players, we believe the longer developmental runway ahead makes this the ideal time to begin aligning with the new August 1–July 31 age grouping. This structure provides the most consistency and growth opportunity over the coming years.

We also understand that some players may fall into the older grade but still qualify for the younger group based on their birth year. In those cases, we will support their continued participation with their school grade, recognizing the social and developmental benefits that come with it.

Importantly, none of these guidelines guarantee placement on the same team or at the same level. As always, team placement will be determined through evaluation and merit, guided by our commitment to creating the best competitive and developmental environments for every player.

REAL COLORADO’S PLACEMENT PHILOSOPHY FOR FALL 2026 AND SPRING 2027 ECNL AND RL U13 AND U14 PLAYERS:

All U13 and U14 ECNL and RL players will be placed in their new age group of August 1st - July 31st .

WHY THIS APPROACH WORKS:

Many Real Colorado professional female players and national team female players progressed without ever playing up a year. These elite players that we have developed led their teams and dominated their age group.

AGE GROUP ID DAYS (SPRING 2026)

Age Group ID Days give players the opportunity to train within their new Fall 2026 age groups, meet future teammates, and be evaluated in preparation for official tryouts. ID Days are development focused and are not final tryouts.

ID days for ECNL and RL Girls will be held on Sunday afternoons in April. There will be 3 dates. Sunday April 12th, 19th and 26th

GROUP STRUCTURE

We will form initial groups to begin each Age Group ID Day. Based on evaluations, groups may adjust as we observe players. This is expected and part of the process. Exact initial groupings and fields to arrive at will be shared before the first session or via a follow up message

KEY DATES

• March 6 - Fall Coaching assignments assignments announced.

• March 6 - Tryout and Talent ID times announced.

• May 1 - current out of club ECNL, ECNL-RL and CSA players may trail with Real Colorado.

• May 1 - Current Real Colorado ECNL, ECNL-RL players will be given their tentative placement.

• May 3 - Tryouts

All current Real ECNL and RL players will be told their placement for Fall 2026 the week of April 27th the week before tryouts.

This section will be updated as we identify informational gaps in the information we have provided.