2026 AAU Boys' Basketball Eligibility Requirements
This is for the Sept. 1, 2025-to-Aug. 31, 2026 AAU Basketball season.
AGE/GRADE BASED COMPETITION RULES (will be used at ALL 2026 World Championships)
7U/1st Grade
An athlete can be no older than 7 on or before August 31, 2026. Grade Policy: An athlete who is in the 1st grade as of October 1, 2025 and who is no older than 8 on or before August 31, 2026, is eligible to compete in the 7U/1st Grade division.
8U/2nd Grade
An athlete can be no older than 8 on or before August 31, 2026. Grade Policy: An athlete who is in the 2nd grade as of October 1, 2025 and who is no older than 9 on or before August 31, 2026, is eligible to compete in the 8U/2nd Grade division.
9U/3rd Grade
An athlete can be no older than 9 on or before August 31, 2026. Grade Policy: An athlete who is in the 3rd grade as of October 1, 2025 and who is no older than 10 on or before August 31, 2026, is eligible to compete in the 9U/3rd Grade division.
10U/4th Grade
An athlete can be no older than 10 on or before August 31, 2026. Grade Policy: An athlete who is in the 4th grade as of October 1, 2025 and who is no older than 11 on or before August 31, 2026, is eligible to compete in the 10U/4th Grade division.
11U/5th Grade
An athlete can be no older than 11 on or before August 31, 2026. Grade Policy: An athlete who is in the 5th grade as of October 1, 2025 and who is no older than 12 on or before August 31, 2026, is eligible to compete in the 11U/5th Grade division.
12U/6th Grade
An athlete can be no older than 12 on or before August 31, 2026. Grade Policy: An athlete who is in the 6th grade as of October 1, 2025 and who is no older than 13 on or before August 31, 2026, is eligible to compete in the 12U/6th Grade division.
13U/7th Grade
An athlete can be no older than 13 on or before August 31, 2026. Grade Policy: An athlete who is in the 7th grade as of October 1, 2025 and who is no older than 14 on or before August 31, 2026, is eligible to compete in the 13U/7th Grade division.
14U/8th Grade
An athlete can be no older than 14 on or before August 31, 2026. Grade Policy: An athlete who is in the 8th grade as of October 1, 2025 and who is no older than 15 on or before August 31, 2026, is eligible to compete in the 14U/8th Grade division.
15U/9TH GRADE
An athlete can be no older than 15 on or before August 31, 2026. Grade Policy: An athlete who is in the 9th Grade as of October 1, 2025 and who is no older than 16 on or before August 31, 2026 is eligible to compete in the 15U/9th Grade division.
16U/10TH GRADE
An athlete can be no older than 16 on or before August 31, 2026. Grade Policy: An athlete who is in the 10th Grade as of October 1, 2025 and who is no older than 17 on or before August 31, 2026 is eligible to compete in the 16U/10th Grade division.
17U/11TH GRADE
An athlete can be no older than 17 on or before August 31, 2026. Grade Policy: An athlete who is in the 11th Grade as of October 1, 2025 and who is no older than 18 on or before August 31, 2026 is eligible to compete in the 17U/11th Grade division.
19U/12TH GRADE
An athlete can be no older than 19 on or before August 31, 2026. Grade Policy: An athlete who is in the 12th Grade as of October 1, 2025 and who is no older than 20 on or before August 31, 2026 is eligible to compete in the 19U/12th Grade division.
AGE BASED COMPETITION RULES
7 & Under: An athlete can be no older than 7 on or before August 31, 2026.
8 & Under: An athlete can be no older than 8 on or before August 31, 2026.
9 & Under: An athlete can be no older than 9 on or before August 31, 2026.
10 & Under: An athlete can be no older than 10 on or before August 31, 2026.
11 & Under: An athlete can be no older than 11 on or before August 31, 2026.
12 & Under: An athlete can be no older than 12 on or before August 31, 2026.
13 & Under: An athlete can be no older than 13 on or before August 31, 2026.
14 & Under: An athlete can be no older than 14 on or before August 31, 2026.
