Age group changes: information for clubs
From 1 April 2026, the age groups in which young athletes compete will change from U13, U15, U17 and U20, as is currently the case, to U12, U14, U16, U18 and U20. These changes are grounded in a desire to support athletes with their progression through the sport.
The indoor track and field season and the upcoming cross country season will operate under the current rules and age groups, with the change coming into effect on 1 April 2026.
Top tips for clubs
📋 Know your club’s new athlete breakdown early
🧠 Understand what’s changing and why
🎯 Review and update equipment inventory
👥 Adapt training groups and session plans
💬 Brief your coaches and officials
📲 Communicate clearly with members
🗣️ Join the conversation
U10/U12 registration
We want to encourage fun and flexibility for the U10 and U12 age groups and to clarify, U12s and upwards will pay registration fees, and U10s should be registered with England Athletics from April 2026, but the payment of a fee will be optional for this age group. We would encourage payment of a fee if possible, with all funds being reinvested directly back into the ongoing development of our sport. We have developed an incentive scheme to benefit both clubs and parents for these age groups.
Find out more about why clubs should register U10 and U12 athletesFinancial support for clubs
In producing the recommended hurdle heights and implement weights, care has been taken to propose implements for each of the new age groups that are already in wide use across the sport. Where discussions with implement manufacturers are needed (e.g. around 60cm hurdles), these are taking place.
If clubs need assistance in financing new equipment for the new age group implements, you can apply for our Club Improvement Fund when it reopens soon.
Social media toolkit
We are beginning to compile assets which clubs can share from their own social media channels to educate members about the age group changes from 1 April 2026.
Download age group changes X/Facebook/Instagram post (PDF 1mB)FAQs: implementation
Will the dates of the competition year be changed?
The competition year will run from 1 October to 30 September and so athletes will compete in the same age group from October through to September in cross country, road, and track and field.
Will all disciplines (road, cross country, track and field) use the same competition year?
Athletes will move into their new age group on 1 April 2026, following the indoor and cross country seasons.
As part of the consultation, we proposed the creation of this consistent age group across track and field, road and cross country for junior athletes.
What will be the club competition opportunities across the U12, U14, U16, U18 and U20 age groups?
As is currently the case, the Home Countries will offer national championship competition for U16s upwards and will provide guidance and recommendations to competition providers on the competition formats and approaches suitable at each age group.
The Youth Development League have confirmed that they intend to offer competition to secondary age athletes – U14 and U16 (Lower) and U18 and U20 (upper).
Other organisations such as leagues, counties, areas and open competition providers will make their own decisions on which of the newly implemented age groups they wish to cater for. For example, currently an open meeting may focus on U13s and U15s, post 1 April 2026 they may choose to focus on U14s and U16s, or alternatively they may prefer U12 and U14.
All permitted/licensed events will need to comply with the rules of competition, which will be amended to reflect the changed age groups.
Are there competition opportunities for current U11s (year 1 U12s from 2026)?
As is currently the case, athletes aged in school year 6 and below will continue to access local competition opportunities with an emphasis on personal improvement, building a love of the sport and being part of a team. Sportshall Athletics and QuadKids are just two examples of the types of competition for this age group that will continue and in England, we are currently piloting a new competition format for primary aged athletes – find out more about funetics Multi-Challenge.
Which age groups will the YDL and NAL meetings use?
UK Youth Development League (YDL) meetings have confirmed their age groups for next outdoor track season. U14 and U16 athletes will compete in lower age group YDL meetings, while U18 and U20 athletes will compete in upper age group YDL meetings.
The National Athletics League (NAL) have also confirmed their age groups for competition, with U18, U20 and Senior athletes set to compete (standards for U18 athletes must be achieved before they are allowed to compete in the NAL).
Other competition providers are invited to get in touch with us to let us know which age groups they will be providing, by emailing trackandfieldproject@englandathletics.org.
Which age groups should off-track competitions held in September use?
For Cross-Country and Road Running competitions taking place during the month of September that are being used to feed into Championship or League events taking place in the following Competition Year, the Competition Provider may set entry conditions using the age groups applicable to that subsequent Competition Year.
Will the changes affect eligibility to compete in road running and multi-terrain events?
Road running and multi-terrain eligibility to compete over set distances is unchanged.