Age group changes: information for coaches
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 coaches
Here are our top tips to help coaches prepare and support their athletes smoothly through the transition:
🗂️ Review competition calendars and plan transitions carefully
🗣️ Attend drop-in sessions
🤝 Communicate early and often with athletes and parents
FAQs for coaches
What implements will be used in each age group, what will the hurdle heights be and what will be the approved track distances?
You can find all this information in the technical information spreadsheet.
Will the new age groups in the UK align with World Athletics’ method of determining age groups (calendar year of birth)?
In the UK, an athlete’s age group is determined by their age on 31 August of that year (currently U11s-U17s, from April 2026 U10s-U18s). i.e. athletics age groups are determined in the same way as a child’s school year. This will not change as part of this process.
So, to summarise:
- U10-U18 cut off dates will be 31 August within the competition year.
- U20 upper cut off date will be 31 December in the calendar year of competition.
- Senior athletes are aged 20 or over on the 31 December in the calendar year of competition.
While the World Athletics method for determining an athlete’s age group differs from what will continue to be in place in the UK from 2026, World Athletics does use even years to categorise athletes for competition (i.e. U12, U14, U16, U18), so the new age groups in the UK will align to that.
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.
How does this affect off track athletics?
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.
So in summary, for off track, the date at which an age group is judged is changing from the beginning of the competition year to the end of the 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.