The current age groups – categories in which young athletes compete – are to be revised. From April 1, 2026, young athletes will compete in the following age groups:

• U10: school years 3 and 4
• U12: years 5 and 6
• U14: years 7 and 8
• U16: years 9 and 10
• U18: years 11 and 12
• U20: year 13+

These new age groups will replace the existing U13, U15 and U17 groupings and will ensure that athletes compete across the school year (in England) from October-September in the same age group through cross country, road and then track and field competition.

The rules will be effective from 1 April 2026, so athletes will compete in the 2026 track and field season in the above age groups. For example, for track and field, an athlete currently in year 7 will compete in the U13 age group in the 2025 summer season and will be in year 8 – and therefore U14 – in the 2026 track and field season.

The 2025-2026 winter season will be the last under the current age groups. Currently, athletes remain in their track and field age groups for the subsequent cross country season. From winter 2026 onwards, athletes will switch to their new age group on 1 October and will compete in that same age group for cross country, road and then track and field.

For example, at present, an athlete in year 7 for the summer track and field season is an U13. That athlete then competes as an U13 in the following cross country season but is considered an U15 for the indoor season. Under the new rules, following the summer season, athletes move up an age group for the following competition year and competes across cross country, road, indoor athletics and outdoor athletics in that age group across the competition year.

The U11 age-group is currently an optional age-group that many competitions and clubs use to introduce children to adapted age-appropriate athletics. The UKA rules for competition do not cater for U11 athletes and there is no requirement to affiliate U11 athletes with the Home Country Athletics Federation. An U10 optional affiliation and competition age-group will replace U11s.

The change was initially proposed as one of several ways in which the significant drop-off in track and field participation amongst teenagers could be addressed. Research and insight show that one of the contributing factors to this drop-off is the clash with exam commitments, which leads to pressure to perform both academically and physically. The age group changes will mean that athletes are competing at the top of their age group in non-exam years, therefore relieving some of that pressure.

• Read further detail about the reasoning behind the change.

The Home Country Athletics Federations have successfully selected competitive teams for Commonwealth Youth Games since their inception in 2000, while UKA have also selected teams for a number of world and European youth championships. These games do not take place every year and impact only a minority of athletes. Selection for the Commonwealth Youth Games or other youth international competitions was therefore not a factor in these changes being proposed and approved.

The proposal for change was put forward to UK Athletics by the Home Country Athletics Federations (HCAFs) –  Athletics Northern Ireland, England Athletics, Scottish Athletics and Welsh Athletics – following a period of consultation with athletes, parents, clubs, coaches, member bodies and officials.

This consultation process included a webinar series and a survey process, which allowed those within the sport to provide feedback and opinion on the proposals as either an individual or a collective group representing a club or member body. The webinars were attended by 330 people, while the club survey received 122 responses, and 821 people responded to the individual survey.

The consultation process invited differing opinions on the proposed changes, and saw robust discussion and debate.

While the changes garnered significant support from young athletes and their parents, there was uncertainty among other stakeholders, including clubs (committees and officials) and member bodies.

Informed by stakeholder opinion and the debate within the consultation, the decision was taken to add a requirement allowing time to seek expert guidance on the implementation of the changes which will aim to provide detailed clarity and minimal disruption to athletes taking part in age-group competition, meaning that they will come into effect on 1 April 2026.

Over the period of time between now and that date, the HCAFs will work alongside stakeholders to ensure that opinions and concerns are taken on board and addressed, and that the benefits of the age group changes are felt by all those within the sport.