ACL vs ACO: Which Cornhole League Is Right for You? -

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A Tale of Two Leagues

Let me tell you a quick story.

A few years ago, I walked into a crowded sports bar outside Charlotte, North Carolina. The place was loud. Football played on every screen. But in the corner, something else was happening.

Twenty people stood around two wooden boards. Bags were flying. People were cheering. A man in his sixties high-fived a teenager after a perfect push shot.

I asked the bartender what was going on.

“That is the ACL local league finals,” she said. “They do this every Tuesday.”

I was confused. I thought cornhole was a backyard game. Something you played at cookouts while holding a beer. But these people were treating it like a real sport.

Then I learned something that surprised me even more.

There is not one professional cornhole league in America. There are two.

And they do not always see eye to eye.

That night sent me down a rabbit hole. To understand the difference between the American Cornhole League (ACL) and the American Cornhole Organization (ACO), I had some questions. Which one was truly “official”? And if I got serious about the game, where should I play?

This article is what I learned.

If you are new to competitive cornhole, you might assume there is one governing body. Most people do. But the truth is messier, more interesting, and honestly more fun to understand.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know about the ACL vs ACO debate. By the end, you will know exactly which league fits your personality, your schedule, and your goals.

What Exactly Are the ACL and ACO?

Before we compare, let us define each organization clearly.

The American Cornhole League (ACL) is the younger, flashier, more televised option. According to Wikipedia, the ACL was founded in 2015 by Stacey Moore, its current Commissioner. Headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina, the ACL hosts over 25,000 tournaments per year and has an active player base of over 100,000 players .

You have seen ACL matches on ESPN. You have watched highlights on SportsCenter. That is the ACL.

The American Cornhole Organization (ACO) is the older, quieter, more traditional option. According to the ACO’s official history page, the ACO was established in 2005 and is headquartered near Cincinnati, Ohio. It was founded by Frank Geers and is recognized as the first organization dedicated to transforming cornhole into a competitive national sport . Wikipedia also recognizes the ACO as a governing body for the sport of cornhole .

The ACO does not have a major TV deal. But it has something else: respect from purists who love the game exactly as it was first played.

World champions are crowned by both organizations. They also have pro players who travel the country competing. Additionally, official rulebooks and ranking systems are maintained by each.

But the similarities end there.

Think of it this way. The ACL is like the Premier League—flashy, global, built for television. The ACO is like a historic local club—traditional, strict, loved by those who know the game deeply.

Neither is wrong. Neither is right. They are just different.

ACL vs ACO: The Quick Comparison Table

Let me give you the fast facts before we dive deep.

Feature	ACL	ACO
Founded	2015	2005
Headquarters	Rock Hill, South Carolina	Cincinnati, Ohio
Founder	Stacey Moore	Frank Geers
TV Partner	ESPN, CBS Sports (through 2028)	Streaming only (first on ESPN in 2013)
Active Players	100,000+	Information not publicly available
Annual Tournaments	25,000+	Information not publicly available
World Championship Location	Rock Hill, South Carolina	Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Bag Rules	ACL-stamped bags required; multiple approved manufacturers	Historically provided bags; now allows all bags
League Structure	Weekly local leagues (ACL Local)	Regional qualifiers + weekend tournaments
Best For	TV exposure, social play, clear ranking path	Purists, weekend warriors, East Coast players

Keep this table handy. We will reference it throughout the article.

The American Cornhole League (ACL): The New King

Meet Stacey Moore: The Man Who Bet on Cornhole

Every successful sports league has a visionary founder. The ACL has Stacey Moore.

Moore was a college baseball player at Winthrop University in South Carolina. He understood competition. He understood what made sports exciting on television. And in 2015, he saw something that almost everyone else missed.

Cornhole could be a mainstream sport.

At the time, the ACO had been running tournaments for a decade. But the sport was still mostly backyard entertainment. Moore believed cornhole deserved more. He believed it could fill arenas, attract sponsors, and land on ESPN.

People thought he was crazy.

But Moore built the ACL anyway. He started small, recruiting players one by one. A ranking system that actually made sense was then created by him. On top of that, he made sure every tournament felt professional—even the small ones.

Within a year, the ACL landed its first ESPN deal. According to Wikipedia, the ACL streamed its first competitive event, the “Championship of Bags,” on ESPN3 in 2016, which began airing on ESPN2 in 2017 .

Why the ACL Changed Everything

The ACL did three things differently than the ACO.

First, they prioritized television. In February 2026, the ACL and ESPN renewed their media-rights agreement for another three years through 2028. According to the Sports Business Journal, the new pact calls for 30 hours of original programming at a minimum, though the ACL typically averages 40-50 original hours. ESPN VP Brent Colborne described the ACL as the “defining property” for the network’s “ESPN8: The Ocho” programming .

Second, they built a clear path from backyard to pro. The ACL Local system is genius. According to The Kansas City Star, the ACL uses a Cornhole Performance Index (CPI) that tests players’ skills and places them into categories based on skill level, from novice to pro. The league’s tagline is “Anyone can play, anyone can win” .

Third, they created a massive tournament infrastructure. The ACL hosts over 25,000 tournaments per year with more than 100,000 active players . According to the Kansas City Star report, a single ACL tournament can feature around 90 sets of boards and offer over $150,000 in prizes and cash payouts .

These changes worked. The ACL now has an active player base of over 100,000 players across all 50 states .

How to Join the ACL (It Is Easier Than You Think)

Here is the beautiful thing about the ACL. Anyone can join.

Go to the ACL website. Click “Join.” Pay the annual membership fee. That is it.

Once you are a member, you can search for ACL Local leagues near you. These leagues meet weekly, usually at bars, breweries, or community centers. You play four to six matches per night. Scores get uploaded to the ACL app. Your ranking updates in real time.

I have done this myself. The atmosphere is welcoming. You will see grandparents playing next to college students. You will see beginners learning from experienced players. And you will see the occasional future pro practicing his trick shots in the corner.

The ACL also runs regional qualifiers and major tournaments throughout the year. The biggest is the ACL World Championships in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Who Thrives in the ACL?

The ACL is perfect for certain types of people.

The social player. If you want to meet people, drink a beer, and play competitive but friendly cornhole, the ACL Local system was built for you.

The ambitious beginner. If you have never played in a tournament but dream of reaching ESPN one day, the ACL gives you a clear ladder to climb.

The TV fan. If you love watching sports on television and want to follow a league with regular broadcasts, the ACL is your answer.

The traveler. The ACL runs events in nearly every state. If you travel for work or pleasure, you can almost always find an ACL tournament happening nearby.

The American Cornhole Organization (ACO): The Original

Meet Frank Geers: The Godfather of Competitive Cornhole

While Stacey Moore was playing college baseball, Frank Geers was already building the foundation of competitive cornhole.

According to the ACO’s official history, Geers founded the organization in 2005. The ACO held its first ACO Nationals Championship in December 2006 in Northern Kentucky to crown the first ACO National “King of Cornhole” .

At the time, cornhole had no standardized rules. Boards came in different sizes. Bags were filled with whatever people had at home. Tournaments were informal at best.

Geers changed all of that.

The first official rulebook was written by him. He also standardized board dimensions and established the official throwing distance. Beyond those contributions, he created the ranking system that would later inspire the ACL.

For nearly a decade, the ACO was the only game in town.

If you wanted to play competitive cornhole, you played ACO.

What Makes the ACO Different?

The ACO prides itself on several innovations that shaped the sport.

According to the ACO’s history page, the ACO introduced resin-filled cornhole bags in 2006. In 2007, the first national cornhole ranking system (SCR Score) was unveiled. A year later, a World Ranking Points System featuring the “CornyForty” (Top 40 Cornhole Players) was added. Then, in 2010, ACO Certified Officials and Sanctioned Cornhole Events were introduced.

The ACO also pioneered the two-sided playing surface for tournament series bags in 2009 .

And here is something that might surprise you. The ACO actually brought cornhole to ESPN first. According to Dirty Bags Cornhole, the ACO World Championships were featured on ESPN’s “Kenny Mayne’s Wider World of Sports” in 2013 and on ESPN “SportsCenter on the Road” in 2015 . The ACO’s official history confirms these ESPN appearances .

So while the ACL now dominates ESPN airtime, the ACO walked so the ACL could run.

Bag Rules: A Key Difference

One of the major differences between the ACO and ACL has historically been bag rules.

According to Dirty Bags Cornhole, the ACO historically provided one specific bag for every tournament, with each player required to use the provided bags. However, for Season 15, the ACO changed its policy to allow all bags to be played .

The ACL, by contrast, has always allowed players to bring their own bags from any approved manufacturer. The ACL maintains a list of about 20 different bag providers. However, bags must be ACL-stamped to ensure proper weight and dimensions .

Who Belongs in the ACO?

The ACO is not for everyone. And that is okay.

The purist. If you believe cornhole should be played as intended, the ACO is your spiritual home. You will appreciate the strict equipment rules. You will respect the tournament format.

The weekend warrior. If your weekdays are packed with work and family, the ACO’s weekend tournament model fits your life. No weekly commitment. Just show up and compete when you can.

The East Coast player. If you live in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, or Ohio, the ACO has a strong presence. The World Championships in Myrtle Beach are a bucket-list event .

The skeptic of television sports. If you think ESPN has ruined other sports by prioritizing entertainment over competition, the ACO will feel like a breath of fresh air.

Why Two Leagues? The Real Story Behind the Split

The Philosophical Split

By now, you might be wondering why two leagues exist. Why did not the ACL simply join forces with the ACO?

The answer is philosophy.

Stacey Moore (ACL) wanted growth. He wanted television. He wanted cornhole to become as big as bowling or darts. According to Fox News, Moore has even made the case for cornhole to become an Olympic sport, arguing it would be “better than curling” .

The ACL has created the World Cornhole Organization as an international federation and USA Cornhole as a professional sport entity with the goal of Olympic inclusion .

Frank Geers (ACO) wanted preservation. He wanted cornhole to stay true to its roots. He believed that changing the game for television would ruin what made it special.

These two visions could not coexist under one roof.

Where Things Stand Today

The ACL and ACO coexist uneasily. They do not collaborate. They do not share rankings or rules.

But here is the good news for you.

For amateur players, the war is over. You can play in both leagues without issue. Only professionals face restrictions.

Which League Should You Join? (Honest Advice)

This is the question that brought you here. Let me give you straight answers.

Choose the ACL If…

You want to watch your matches on ESPN one day. The ACL has a broadcast deal through 2028 .
You prefer weekly league nights over weekend tournaments. The ACL Local system is consistent and social.
You want a clear ranking system. The ACL uses Points Per Round (PPG) to determine skill levels: Advanced (PPG ≥ 8), Competitive (PPG 7-8), Intermediate (PPG 6-7), Novice (PPG < 6) .
You are a beginner. The ACL’s CPI system places you with players at your exact skill level .

Choose the ACO If…

You respect the original governing body of the sport. The ACO has been around since 2005 .
You want to compete in the oldest continuous cornhole world championship. The ACO World Championships in Myrtle Beach have history you cannot fake.
You live on the East Coast, especially the Carolinas.
You prefer weekend tournaments over weekly commitments.

The Honest Truth About Playing Both

Here is what I recommend to most people reading this article.

Start with the ACL.

The ACL Local system is easier to access. The ranking system is clearer. You will meet more people at your skill level. You will have more fun as a beginner.

After six months, try an ACO tournament.

Show up on a Saturday. Pay the entry fee. See how the other half lives. You might prefer the stricter traditions. You might enjoy the weekend warrior lifestyle.

Or you might decide the ACL fits you better.

Either way, you win. Because you are playing cornhole.

At the pro level, you eventually have to choose. But unless you are winning major tournaments, do not worry about that. Play both. Have fun. Learn the game.

Common Mistakes New Players Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake #1: Believing One League Is “Official”

Neither the ACL nor the ACO is the single official governing body of cornhole. The ACO was first (2005). The ACL is larger (100,000+ players). Both are legitimate.

How to avoid it: Respect both leagues. Learn from both. Do not become a blind loyalist to one.

Mistake #2: Ignoring What Is Available Locally

I have seen people fall in love with a league online, only to discover that the nearest tournament is a six-hour drive away.

How to avoid it: Visit both league websites. Use their “find an event” tools. See what is within 90 minutes of your home.

Mistake #3: Overthinking for Casual Play

You do not need ACL or ACO rules for backyard games with friends. Do not be that person who insists on regulation distances at a family cookout.

How to avoid it: Keep two rulebooks in your head. One for competitive play. One for fun. Do not confuse them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the ACL or ACO more popular?

The ACL has more total members (100,000+ active players) and more mainstream visibility due to ESPN deals. The ACO has a smaller but more devoted purist following.

Can I watch ACO events on TV?

The ACO was actually first on ESPN, appearing on “Kenny Mayne’s Wider World of Sports” in 2013 and “SportsCenter on the Road” in 2015 . However, the ACL now dominates television with a deal through 2028 .

Which league has stricter bag rules?

Historically, the ACO was stricter, providing specific bags for tournaments. However, as of Season 15, the ACO now allows all bags to be played . The ACL requires ACL-stamped bags from approved manufacturers .

Is one league cheaper to join?

The ACL requires an annual membership fee. The ACO charges per tournament entry. For casual players playing multiple events, the costs are comparable.

Can a beginner join the ACO?

Yes, but it is less beginner-friendly. The ACL’s CPI skill-ranking system is better for beginners, ensuring you play against people at your level .

Final Thoughts: There Is No Wrong Choice

I started this article with a story about a sports bar in North Carolina. Let me end with one.

After watching that ACL local league finals, I approached one of the players. He was an older guy, maybe sixty-five. He had just lost a close match. But he was smiling.

I asked him if he preferred the ACL or the ACO.

He laughed.

“I play ACL on Tuesdays,” he said. “I play ACO on Saturdays. On Sundays, I play in my backyard with my grandkids using house rules. It is all cornhole, son. Do not let anyone tell you different.”

That stuck with me.

The ACL vs ACO debate matters if you are chasing a pro contract or a TV appearance. But for 99% of players, it does not matter at all.

What matters is showing up. Throwing bags. Meeting people. Getting a little better each week.

The ACL is great. The ACO is great. Your backyard with a $50 board from a big box store is also great.

You could pick one league to follow. Choosing both is also an option. Of course, picking neither works just as well. Just keep playing.

See you at the boards.