How to Organize a Cornhole Tournament: A Complete Guide

You’ve got the boards and bags ready, and you want to organize a cornhole tournament. Good news — it’s not too hard if you plan ahead. You’ll need to choose a date and location, gather some basic supplies, and decide how the games will be played.

In this guide, we’ll walk through each step—from choosing a location and gathering equipment to setting up brackets and keeping score. You don’t need special experience—just some time, clear planning, and a few helpful tips. Let’s get started.

Planning Your Cornhole Tournament

Before you toss a single bag, think through the basics:

Pick a date and location

Choose a flat, open space with plenty of room. Backyards, parks, church lawns, or even a gymnasium work well. (The boards need to be 27 feet apart from front edge to front edge, so make sure you have space.)

Indoor spots are great to avoid weather problems, but outdoor is fine if you have a plan for sun or rain. A weekend afternoon usually draws the most guests.

Gather players and set an entry plan

Decide how many teams or players you’ll have. You can sign people up in advance or allow walk-ins. If you’re fundraising, set an entry fee and plan the prize payout (common splits are 60/30/10% of the pot for 1st/2nd/3rd). If it’s a casual party, you might skip fees altogether.

Check permits and safety

If you’re in a public park or rented venue, make sure any permits are in order. Lay out cones or tape to mark playing areas, and keep non-players clear of the tossing lanes. Safety first (nobody wants a rogue bag to ruin someone’s day)!

Plan the extras

A little planning checklist from tournament pros includes: food and drinks, any extra entertainment, player counts and fees, location details, having enough boards/bags, creating a bracket, and marketing or invitations.

Don’t forget basics like seating or shade. A playlist of upbeat tunes or a fun theme (4th of July cornhole, anyone?) can make it more festive.

Finally, decide if you’ll have other games (like a ring toss or ladder golf for breaks) or a concession table – those keep energy up between matches!

Boards, Bags, and Equipment

Make sure you have the proper gear on hand:

Cornhole boards

Regulation boards are 2 ft × 4 ft with a 6-inch hole, as per official rules. (If you have juniors or beginners, you can space them closer, but 27 feet apart is standard.) For one game at a time, you need two boards placed opposite each other.

If your tournament has multiple simultaneous games, each game needs its own pair of boards – e.g., 4 games at once means 8 boards total.

Cornhole bags

Each team (1 or 2 people) needs 4 bags of one color, and the opposing team has 4 of another color. Bags should be about 6″×6″ and ~1 pound each.

So, for one game (two teams), gather 8 bags (4 of color A, 4 of color B). Always have a few extra bags handy in case one rips or is lost.

Setting up the court

Use a tape measure to place the boards 27 feet apart (from front edge to front edge). If outdoors on grass, try to find a level area. If indoors, make sure the ceiling is high enough (the governing body suggests ~13 feet ceiling if possible).

Mark a foul line 27 feet from the opposite board (players must stay behind this when tossing).

Scorekeeping tools

You can keep score on paper or chalkboard, but many hosts use apps now. (For example, Scoreholio is a popular app that handles brackets and scoring for you.) If you want an old-school touch, pick up some cornhole score towers or chalk blocks.

Miscellaneous supplies

Don’t forget a scoreboard (whiteboard, chalkboard, or app), a clipboard and pens, a first-aid kit, and maybe some seating or picnic tables for guests. A garbage can near the court keeps things tidy.

Here’s what a multi-court setup can look like.

Notice each pair of boards is spaced 27 feet apart. With this arrangement, you can run several games simultaneously, allowing the tournament to progress quickly.

Provide plenty of room between courts for players to walk around safely, and maybe string up some party lights or set out chairs for spectators.

Tournament Formats and Brackets

Decide how teams will play through the event. The format you choose will affect how many games get played and how long the tournament lasts:

Single Elimination

This is the simplest bracket. Teams are paired, losers are knocked out, and winners advance until one champion remains. It’s fast and easy: every match is do-or-die. (Perfect if you have limited time.)

For fairness, you can seed top teams by skill or draw names randomly.

Double Elimination

Everyone starts in the “winners” bracket. When a team loses, they move to a “losers” bracket – a second chance at the trophy. A team is only eliminated after its second loss. It takes a bit longer, but it means one bad game won’t boot someone out immediately.

In the end, the last undefeated team faces the last one-loss team (and the one-loss team must beat them twice to take the title).

Round Robin

In this friendly format, every team plays every other team once. This guarantees lots of games for all players (no one is eliminated early).

Once everyone has played, the team with the most wins (or best point differential) wins the tournament. Round robins can take a while with many teams, so they work best for smaller groups or as a preliminary phase.

Hybrid (Pools + Finals)

• If you have a big crowd (20–30+ teams), consider dividing into pools.
• Each pool does a mini round-robin, then top teams advance to a single- or double-elimination bracket.
• This way, everyone plays a few games, and the event flows without everyone sitting out too long. (Tournament organizers often seed pools by random draw or prior skill level.)

Whichever format you pick, print or draw the bracket ahead of time so everyone can see who’s up next. You might use bracket software like Scoreholio, or simply sketch it on a poster board or a spreadsheet.

Announce the format (single/double/round robin, etc.) before play starts so no one is confused later.

Scoring the Games

The beauty of cornhole is that the scoring is simple:

Tossing

Players alternate throwing their bags toward the opposite board. Each player tosses all four of their bags per inning (one after another), then steps back to let the opponent toss.

Points

A bag through the hole scores 3 points. A bag landing on the board and staying there is 1 point. A bag that lands on the ground or bounces in counts 0 points.

Cancellation Scoring

After all 8 bags are thrown, you tally each team’s points for that inning. Only the higher-scoring team scores any points – their total minus the other team’s total (this is called cancellation scoring).

For example, if Team A scores 7 points and Team B scores 5 points that round, Team A nets 2 points (7–5). The lower score cancels out part of the higher.

Winning a Game

Games typically go to 21 points. In most tournaments, you win when you reach or exceed 21 at the end of a round.

(Note: Some backyard rules require hitting 21 exactly, but official tournaments usually allow going over 21 without penalty.) Announce clearly whether “bust” (exact 21) rules apply or not.

Keep track of the running score after each inning. If a scoreboard is handy, use it! Otherwise, a volunteer with a notepad can call out scores. If you’re techy, apps like Scoreholio will automatically handle scoring and advance the bracket.

Keeping It Fair and Fun

A big part of hosting is making sure everyone enjoys themselves – and plays by the same rules:

Random or Balanced Teams

If players sign up individually, consider doing a blind draw for partners. This pairs people randomly and spices up the fun. If you have veterans and newbies, mixing skills can keep games interesting.

Consistent Rules

Write down (or announce) any special rules before starting.

For example: “No stepping past the front of the board” or “Let’s play until someone gets 21 or more”. Having clear rules helps avoid disputes. In fact, one corn-tournament guide advises having a “foundation of set rules” to keep things running smoothly.

Use a Fair Bracket

If seeding, you might rank teams by known skill (or last tournament’s results) so the strongest teams don’t all knock each other out early.

Or just draw names from a hat to keep it simple. If using double elimination, clearly mark which is the winners’ and losers’ bracket. Keep a copy of the bracket visible and update it after each match.

Encourage Sportsmanship

• Remind everyone that it’s friendly competition. Clap for great shots. Keep the trash talk light and good-natured. If disagreements happen (it’s rare!), the host’s rule is final.
• A smile and handshake after each game sets a great tone.
• Remember: Have fun! Cornhole is a social game – chat, laugh, and don’t fret the small stuff.

As the host, your energy sets the vibe. If you stay upbeat and flexible, your players will too. In fact, the American Cornhole Association explicitly says cornhole tournaments should be “fun, family-friendly” events that make lasting memories. You’re not just running a contest; you’re throwing a party with beanbags.

Music, Snacks, and Prizes (Fun Extras!)

These little add-ons can take your cornhole tournament journey from “okay” to “awesome”:

Music & Theme

A Bluetooth speaker with a good playlist keeps energy high. You could even pick a theme (patriotic, beach, retro, etc.) and encourage related outfits or team names. Themes can guide your music choice and decorations – it’s silly but memorable!

Food & Drinks

People get hungry while playing. A snack table with chips, fruit, and water is a winner. For longer events, maybe a BBQ grill or local food trucks.

Don’t forget hydration – have plenty of water and non-alcoholic drinks available. Label anything that contains allergens and offer at least one veggie option. A “hydration station” (water with fruit slices) can be a fun touch, too.

Prizes & Awards

• Prizes give folks something to cheer for. Grand prizes can be practical (cash, gift cards, cornhole gear) or wacky (homemade trophy, a novelty belt, etc.).
• Consider also fun awards like “Best Team Name,” “Best Dressed,” or even a small prize for the team eliminated first (nobody likes an empty bracket!).
• Consolation prizes (stickers, keychains, floppy cornhole hats) ensure everyone goes home happy. Remember, the goal is a fun experience – prizes are just icing on the cake.

Keep things lively between rounds: maybe have a side game (like a knockout frisbee challenge) or a raffle. These extra activities give people something to do while they wait.

Just make sure players don’t wander off too far – you’ll need them ready for their next match!

Sample Timeline and Smooth Flow

It helps to have a rough schedule in mind so things run on time. Every event is different, but here’s a sample for a 16-team single-elimination tournament (eight first-round matches):

1. Check-In & Warm-Up (30 minutes)

Teams arrive, sign in, pick up score cards, and maybe toss a few practice bags. Use this time to explain rules and the bracket layout.

2. Round 1 (≈1 hour)

Simultaneous matches on multiple boards. If you have 4 courts (8 boards), eight teams can play at once. Aim for 15–20 minutes per game (first to 21).

3. Break (15 minutes)

Everyone grabs a snack, music plays, and you can shuffle brackets.

4. Quarterfinals/Semifinals (30–45 minutes)

Winners from Round 1 play the next round. With four teams left in semis, that’s two games at once on two courts.

5. Final (≈15–20 minutes)

The championship game on the main court, with everyone watching.

6. Awards (10 minutes)

Hand out prizes, snap a group photo, and congratulate the champs.

Total time for this setup is roughly 2–2.5 hours. If you had 32 teams, expect closer to 3–4 hours in single elimination; a double-elim could stretch 4–5 hours (since there are more matches).

Adjust as needed: if games run long, you might shorten breaks or play only 3-point games (instead of first to 21, play best-of-3 short matches). A good tip: leave a little buffer time in case games go overtime or a tie-breaker is needed.

Throughout, keep the schedule posted where players can see it (even hand-written is fine). A gentle countdown like “Final match in 5 minutes” or “Next round starts at 2pm” keeps everyone on track.

As the organizer, be the timekeeper and cheerleader – your calm demeanor will help the event stay relaxed.

Final Tips

Test your setup

Before guests arrive, do a quick dry run: set up the boards, test the scoreboard, and make sure the music works.

Stay organized

Keep the bracket updated, know which teams play next, and have a volunteer or two to assist (one person can handle scorekeeping, another can round up the next players, etc.).

Be flexible

Sometimes things happen – a board wobbles, or a team runs late. Have a spare board or two if possible, and consider awarding a default win if a team is a no-show (or reshuffling if a last-minute team joins).

Enjoy the moment

As the host, don’t get too stressed. Crack a joke, cheer on close games, and take a few throws yourself. This is meant to be fun!

Conclusion

Hosting a cornhole tournament is a blast, and everyone will appreciate the effort you put in. Follow these steps, keep the mood light, and you’ll create great memories (and some hilarious stories) for your players.

So set up those boards, grab your bags, and have a fantastic tournament – good luck and happy tosses!