Every summer the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) publishes the rules for the new season and, with them, the age groups by year of birth. For the 2026/27 season, which runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, the rules are those of Official Notice no. 1 of the FIGC Youth and School Sector.
Football school: ages 5 to 12
The first four age groups make up the grassroots programme. What matters here is play and learning: games are played on small pitches, with small goals and few players per side, so every child gets lots of touches on the ball.
| Age group | Years of birth | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Piccoli Amici | 2020 and 2021; 2022 after the 5th birthday | 2 v 2 or 3 v 3 |
| Primi Calci | 2018 and 2019 (2020 after the 6th birthday, if needed) | 4 v 4 or 5 v 5 |
| Pulcini | 2016 and 2017 | 7 v 7 (5 v 5 in the first year) |
| Esordienti | 2014 and 2015 | 9 v 9 (7 v 7 in the first year) |
Youth teams: ages 12 to 17
From Under 14 upwards, teams usually play 11 v 11 on a full-size pitch, in provincial and regional leagues.
| Age group | Years of birth |
|---|---|
| Under 14 | 2013 |
| Under 15 | 2012 and 2013 |
| Under 16 | 2011 |
| Under 17 | 2010 and 2011 |
The year of birth counts, not the birthday
The age group depends on the year of birth, not the date of the birthday: children born in January and in December of the same year play together. The exceptions concern the youngest: a child born in 2022 joins the Piccoli Amici after turning 5.
For the same reason, a child who started school a year early, born in the first months of the following year, may play in a different age group from their classmates.
What about girls?
Grassroots age groups are for girls and boys, who play together. From the youth age groups there are also girls’ leagues, such as the girls’ Under 15 for those born in 2012 and 2013.
At Blue Devils
[Age groups running in 2026/27, days and times: to be confirmed.] Not sure where your child fits? Send us the year of birth through the contact form and we will suggest the right team.
Sources: FIGC Youth and School Sector, Official Notice no. 1 2026/27 and Annex 1 (in Italian).
