Winter Season: Age Group changes are incoming – what clubs need to know

Tuesday 16th June 2026

Photo by Bobby Gavin

The next phase of age-group changes will come into effect across Scotland and the wider UK from the start of the 2026/27 winter season.

From 1 October this year, competition age groups will be based on an athlete’s age as at 31 December 2027.

This follows the changes introduced for the 2026 outdoor season, when age groups were aligned with World Athletics guidelines.

What is Changing?

Previously athletes generally remained in the same age group during the winter cross country season as they had competed in throughout the preceding outdoor season.

From 1 October 2026, athletes will instead move into their age group for the following competition year at the start of the winter season.

This means athletes will compete in the same age group throughout both the indoor and outdoor seasons, creating greater consistency across the competition year.

It also removes the possibility of athletes changing age group midway through a season when the calendar year changes on 1 January.

What does this mean?

Athletes will move into their age group for the 2027 competition year on 1 October 2026. They will then remain in that age group throughout the 2026/27 indoor season and the 2027 outdoor season.

Example:

An athlete competing as a second-year U16 athlete during the 2026 outdoor season will move into the U18 age group on 1 October 2026.

They will then compete as an U18 athlete throughout the 2026/27 indoor, cross country and road running seasons, as well as during the 2027 outdoor season.

Further Information

To help athletes, parents, coaches and clubs understand how the new age-group calculations will work, Scottish Athletics has produced detailed guidance and an age-group checker.

These resources available here:

https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/events/age-group-changes/