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Age Group Checker for Grassroots Football

​Finding the right team for your child can feel a little confusing at first. The FA youth football age rules set clear guidelines on which age group every player should join, but working it out from school years and birthdays isn’t always straightforward.

That’s where our Grassroots Football Age Checker comes in. With just a date of birth, you’ll instantly see which team age group is the right fit – plus whether your child is eligible to play up or, in some cases, play down.

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How the rules work

  • The FA decides age groups based on your child’s age on 31 August before the season starts.

  • Teams are named by the age they will turn in that season (for example, children who are 9 on 31 August play in the Under-10s).

  • Up to Under-10, football is classed as Mini Soccer, where results are not recorded and the focus is purely on learning, teamwork, and fun.

  • From Under-12 upwards, football becomes officially competitive with results and league tables.

  • Children can normally play up one year above their age group until they reach 15. Girls playing in mixed leagues can, if needed, play one year below.

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FA Youth Football Age Groups by School Year

Here’s a simple guide linking school years to football age groups:

  • Year 2 → Under-7

  • Year 3 → Under-8

  • Year 4 → Under-9

  • Year 5 → Under-10

  • Year 6 → Under-11

  • Year 7 → Under-12

  • Year 8 → Under-13

  • Year 9 → Under-14

  • Year 10 → Under-15

  • Year 11 → Under-16 and above

This way you can match your child’s school year to their grassroots football age group instantly.

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Try our Age Group Checker

Use our simple Age Group Checker below. Enter your child’s date of birth and it will tell you:

  • Their correct age group under the FA youth football age rules.

  • The matching school year.

  • If they are eligible to play up a year.

  • If they are a girl in a mixed league, whether they can play a year down.

This makes it quick and easy to find the right team and make sure your child enjoys grassroots football in the correct environment for their age and development.

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