All About Cornhole: 30 Intriguing Facts (Origins, Stats, Trivia,…)

Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Gamesver Team and JC Franco

Cornhole is an exciting game that’s gained remarkable notoriety across the country. It’s popular during outdoor functions like barbecues and tailgates, and almost anyone can play despite their age or athletic skill set.

Keep reading to discover more about this fun lawn sport.

Here are 30 fun and interesting facts about Cornhole:

1. No One Knows Where Cornhole Actually Originated

Like many sports, the official origin of Cornhole is unknown. Some people believe the sport was founded in the early 1800s in Germany. The official patent came in 1883 by Heyliger de Windt. 

Others believe the sport was invented by Indigenous Americans called the Blackhawk tribe, which were native to present-day Illinois. It is thought that people at the time put dried beans in pigs’ bladders and used them as beanbags.

Other origin stories depict a man named Jebediah McGillicuddy as the inventor. He was a Kentucky farmer from the 19th century, and they believe he invented the game as a fun pastime. 

2. There’s an American Cornhole Association

The American Cornhole Association is the official governing body of Cornhole. It was established in 2003 in Cincinnati, OH. This organization was the first to come up with an official set of rules for the game, thus helping popularize the sport all across the United States.

3. There Is an American Cornhole League

The American Cornhole League was established in 2015, and its goal is for people of any age and skill level to embrace the sport. They make the sport visible by hosting live brackets on the CBS Sports network. As a result, the organization has undoubtedly had a significant effect on the popularization of the game.

4. There’s an American Cornhole Organization

The American Cornhole Organization, otherwise known as ACO, was founded in 2005 in Milford, OH. They also claim to be the official governing body of the sport since 2005. Even though they’re not associated with the American Cornhole Association, they serve a similar purpose.

5. You Can Become a Partner or Sponsor for the ACA or ACO

Both the ACA and ACO welcome sponsors and partners to contribute to their organization. Colleges, community programs, businesses, non-profits, and other organizations can partner with these organizations. You can sponsor prizes, advertisements, and events with the ACA and ACO.

6. You Can Watch Cornhole Live

The ACO live streams many Cornhole events online so the biggest Cornhole fans can enjoy watching professionals play the game. Therefore, if you’re interested in following how official tournaments unfold, you won’t have to wait for the event to be broadcast on TV.

7. Cornhole Is Considered a Sport

Although it is usually considered a leisurely pastime for many people, Cornhole is known as a sport. It includes physical movement, ability, and competition. The American Cornhole Association has set official rules for the game, and players are compensated for their victories.

8. You Can Play Cornhole Professionally

There are professional Cornhole players who compete for money and whose games are broadcasted on various sports networks. Players can make a living playing Cornhole professionally. Therefore, if you’re passionate about the game, you can give it a try too.

9. Corhnhole Is Featured on ESPN

Since Cornhole is a professional sport, it has been featured on ESPN, CBS Sports, and other sports television networks. Cornhole tournaments pull in a large viewing audience, and winners are awarded large cash prizes for various matches.

10. You Can Play Cornhole Alone or With a Team

The American Cornhole League’s rules state that you can play Cornhole in singles, doubles, or with up to four players in a team. Therefore, if you have a loved one who is as passionate as you about the game, you can always partake in professional matches together. 

11. Cornhole Has Many Names

Cornhole goes by many names, depending on the region you live in. It was initially known as “parlor quotis” when it was first invented. However, today it is also known as:

• sack toss
• bags 
• baggo 
• bean bag toss
• corn toss
• lawn tass
• bag toss
• backyard toss
• tailgate toss
• wooden boards
• soft horseshoes
• hillbilly horseshoes
• chuck-o, doghouse

12. There Are National Cornhole Tournaments

Cornhole teams across the country can compete in tournaments with each other for cash prizes. Some of the most famous games are broadcasted on sports networks or live-streamed on the internet. The tournaments can vary in length and difficulty depending on how advanced you are.

13. You Can Create Your Own Cornhole Tournament

Many organizations or businesses create their own Cornhole tournaments to foster morale or build team spirit. You can purchase official Cornhole tournament brackets directly from the ACA to help you keep track of your winning teams. It’s really one of the best team-building games.

14. Cornhole Gained Popularity in 2005

Although the ACA was founded in 2003, the game took off in 2005 when it started to gain more notoriety across the midwest and the nation. As the governing bodies of the game started to take off and professional tournaments started to take place, people began to take notice.

15. Cornhole Has Point Values

Because Cornhole is a sport, it relies on a system of point values to determine the winner. If you land your Cornhole bag in the board hole, you are awarded 3 points. If your bag lands on the board but doesn’t go into the hole, you are only going to be awarded one point. 

16. The First Team or Player To Reach 21 Points Wins

Since Cornhole has various point values, the first team or player that gets 21 points is declared the winner of that game. As a result, an average game shouldn’t take too long, even if you’re playing in teams. However, if the players are inexperienced, a round of Cornhole can take more than 30 minutes. 

17. There Is an Official Cornhole Layout

The Cornhole rules state that the Cornhole player must stand and maintain a 27-foot distance from the Cornhole board when playing. Moreover, the court should always feature two boards, and its dimensions should be a minimum of 45 feet long and 10 feet wide (14 and 3 meters).

18. There Are Unique Strategies for Winning at Cornhole

As with any sport, there are various strategies for getting the beanbag into the hole. One tip is to spin the bean bag like a pancake to get it into the hole. Another approach is to keep your balance when throwing the ball. 

Many people hold other items in their opposite hand when they are learning to toss the bag. This helps you maintain proper balance and increases your chances of making the bag into the hole. 

19. You Can Watch a Documentary About Cornhole

Cornhole: The Movie was released in 2010. It’s a mock documentary or mockumentary about the competitive lawn sport. Therefore, if you’re interested in watching a piece of cinematography about the sport, you can’t go wrong with this delightful and funny documentary.

20. You Can Purchase Miniature Versions of Cornhole

You can purchase official tabletop versions of Cornhole from the ACA or other retailers. The ACA’s tabletop versions use miniature 4-by-8-inch (10 to 25 cm) boards and smaller bags. Therefore, even if you’re short on space, you can still enjoy a game of Cornhole from the comfort of your own home.

21. You Can Add Lights to Your Game Board

You can add various lights to your Cornhole game board. Many people enjoy adding lights to their boards when they are playing recreationally with friends. You can equip your board with LED lights to show different colors and make the hole visible when playing at nighttime. 

22. Cincinnati, OH, Is the Cornhole Capital of the World

Since the American Cornhole Association was founded in Cincinnati, OH, it makes sense that this city would remain the Cornhole capital of the world. For this reason, if you’re particularly interested in the sport, you might want to pay the city a visit and learn more about the discipline’s history.

23. Cornhole Is Popular in the Midwest

The ACA and the ACO were both founded in Ohio. Cornhole is still wildly popular in the midwest, but it has gained popularity in other parts of the nation as well, including the south.

As a result, most official tournaments are held in these regions as well, so if you want to go pro, you might have to travel.

24. You Can Customize Your Cornhole Game Board

Many Cornhole retailers offer a variety of Cornhole game boards to choose from. However, if none of those suit you, multiple retailers can make custom boards for you. You can not only customize the size, but you can customize the images on the board. Customized game boards make great gifts and are excellent additions to parties.

25. You Can Customize Your Cornhole Bean Bags

You can use Cornhole bean bags in a variety of ways for other games besides Cornhole. Just as you can customize the appearance of your Cornhole board, you can customize your bags to match or to use separately. This can be an especially clever choice if you’re playing professionally and want to set yourself apart from your competitors.

26. There’s a Cornhole Scoreboard

Soretowers and Scorestrips are popular accessories that many people purchase to keep up with the score during their Cornhole games. You can attach the score strip to the back of your Cornhole board. Or buy a standalone score tower to keep up with your points.

27. There are Cornhole Carrying Cases

With most sports, there are official bags to carry your gear. If you want to protect your board from damage, you can purchase a unique Cornhole carrying case specially designed to protect your board during transport. Keep in mind that with Cornhole carrying cases, you get what you pay for.

28. Cornhole Sets Are Easy To Purchase

You can buy Cornhole sets from Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lowes, Amazon, Target, Home Depot, and a variety of online and specialty retailers. Therefore, if you’re ever in the mood, you can purchase the game (or its miniature version) virtually everywhere.

29. There Are Official Cornhole Ambassadors

The ACA offers Cornhole ambassadors that are skilled and knowledgeable of the sport. These ambassadors can help you facilitate your tournaments. Therefore, if you’re looking to get more involved in the sport, I highly recommend contacting these ambassadors to learn more.

30. There’s a Song All About Cornhole

The song is called “The Cornhole Song” by Rhett & Link, and it’s dedicated to the sport. Many people consider it to be the unofficial anthem of the sport. It is a delightful tune that features two vocals supported by a guitar background.