How to Host a Successful Cornhole Tournament

Think you’re ready to host your own cornhole event? All you need is some bags, boards, and friends, right? Well, there’s a couple more details to work through. Here’s some tips and guidelines we’ve gathered that will help make your event a success. Let’s get to the practicals →

SETUP

VENUE & SITE SELECTION

The ACA recommends an indoor venue, if possible, over any outdoor venues. This takes away the issues of weather. It can, however, create the issue of space. We recommend finding a venue that can hold six indoor courts and can be played with optimal space in between courts. For indoor venues, we recommend ceilings to be at least 13 feet high to operate.

Site selection for venues must consider amenities. It is highly recommended that the venue selected for any tournament has an adequate indoor bathroom and beverages. Alcoholic beverages and food sales are not required but a plus. We encourage you to find a venue that is family friendly so kids and family may come watch.

Event organizers may or may not have to pay for a venue. Venues should have a beneficial agreement between you and them. They receive the business you provide, and they allow you to operate at their establishment.

A venue agreement is sometimes needed for events. It will state intentions, uses, times of use, schedules, roles and responsibilities of both parties, canceling terms, and any contract termination penalties. Exceptions come with outdoor venues and weather permittable situations.

SCOREHOLIO SOFTWARE

Scoreholio is the preferred and recommended software for tournament operations with the ACA. This app will simplify score-keeping, brackets, and communication before and during the event.

TYPE OF TOURNAMENT

There are several types of tournaments to operate. Singles, set doubles, blind draw doubles, round robin singles, round robin doubles, single elimination, and double elimination tournaments. See the next section of the guide for more information on gameplay rules for all these formats.

SPONSORSHIPS

Local sponsors are a great way to help bring in extra money for your cornhole events. Sponsorships should be contracted by the event organizer can add an additional $200 to $2,000 for a local cornhole event organizer.

SIDE INCOME

In addition to the primary cornhole tournament or league event, you may choose to host additional raffles, drawings, or side competitions. This could also provide added income for the tournament organizer by selling raffle tickets or hosting a 50/50 drawing. We recommend finding a local charity to support with a 50/50 drawing at your event. Item raffles (Such as bags, boards, or sponsors items) are another great way to draw additional ticket sales. Finally, Airmail or skills-based challenges are a great way to earn money. These challenges require players to buy in to a skills-challenge with the winner taking 75-80% of prize money, while the event organizer keeps the rest as profit.

CONDUCT AND APPEARANCE

Event organizers should aim to maintain professional composure throughout the event. This includes appropriate dress, language, and behavior at the event.

EQUIPMENT 

All cornhole boards for the event should be provided by the event organizer. Enough sets of bags for all boards should also be provided. However, players may choose to bring their own bags, which is permitted.

Cornhole events should use professional-level cornhole boards and bags. See the ACA official rules page for professional board and bag specifications.

Pitching pads and scoring towers are recommended but not required.

Most importantly, have fun! Cornhole events should be a fun, family-friendly event that makes new memories for all involved. Planning a successful event can take lots of hard work, but is extremely rewarding. If you ever have questions about hosting your event, please email us at tournaments@playcornhole.org where we’ll be happy to answer any questions.

PAIRINGS 

Singles

Players enter individually, and all matches are played 1 versus 1

Set Doubles

Players enter with a partner and all matches are played 2 versus 2

Blind Draw Doubles

Players enter individually, and partners are randomly selected. Matches are played 2 versus 2

GAMEPLAY

Single-Elimination Tournament

All teams are placed in a single-elimination bracket. Match-ups can be set by tournament organizer or randomly generated by a coin flip. The winning team advances until the final team is crowned champion.

Double-Elimination Tournament

Similar to single-elimination, but a team must lose two times before they are eliminated. Again, match-ups can be set by tournament organizer, or randomly generated. Once a team loses, they move to the “Loser’s Bracket”. The loser’s bracket champion must beat the winner’s bracket champion two times in order to win the tournament.

Round Robin

Each team plays each other one time. Once all games are complete, the team with the most total wins is the winner of the tournament.

Round Robin with Tournament

Similar to round robin, all teams play each other one time. Once round robin play is finished, teams are seeded according to record and point-differential. All teams are then entered into a single-elimination bracket. In the bracket, the highest-seed plays the lowest-seed and so forth down the line until the bracket is filled

Pool Play with Tournament

Very similar to round robin with tournament, but ideal for very large groups (30+ teams). Teams are grouped into pools and play round robin format within their pool. Top 1-2 teams from each pool advance to a single or double elimination tournament