The American Cornhole Organization (ACO) has been a significant force in the evolution of cornhole from a recreational backyard game to a recognized competitive sport with a thriving cultural following. Since its founding in 2005 by Frank Geers, the ACO has not only established the standards for the sport but also marketed cornhole to a broad and growing demographic. With strategic events, media alliances, and creative game structures, the ACO has entrenched cornhole’s position in the realm of mainstream culture.
Pioneering Competitive Cornhole
The ACO’s history started with its first ACO Nationals Championship in Northern Kentucky in 2006. At this championship, the ACO launched the resin-filled bag. Replacing the conventional corn-filled bag, this innovation not only improved the durability and consistency of play but also eliminated issues such as mold and weight fluctuations due to humidity. This breakthrough set a new benchmark in the sport, making cornhole more competitive and standardized at all levels.
Another decisive innovation supplemented this through the introduction of the ACO PlayersChoice Cornhole Bag, which featured a dual-sided playing surface—one smooth and one tacky—providing players with greater control and strategic flexibility. These equipment advancements reshaped the game, allowing for more skill-driven play and higher levels of competition.
Beyond transforming the sport, these innovations also sparked a multimillion-dollar industry, fueling a booming market for custom and professional-grade cornhole bags. Manufacturers worldwide now produce a wide variety of high-performance bags tailored to different playing styles, with advanced materials and precision-engineered designs. What started as a simple backyard game has evolved into a lucrative industry, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of ACO’s pioneering efforts.
To support the growing competitive activity, the ACO began hiring ACO Certified Officials, formalizing tournament promotion and ensuring consistency in sanctioned events. This initiative was essential in expanding ACO’s presence and establishing its credibility as the governing body for the sport of cornhole.
Mainstream Media and Cultural Recognition
A key milestone for the ACO was its role in the 2010 film Cornhole: The Movie, which depicted the sport’s competitive side while featuring ACO bags, boards, and branding throughout. The movie portrayed cornhole not just as a pastime but as a serious competition, helping to shift public perception. Notably, ACO King of Cornhole Champion Matt Guy served as the technical director, and ACO president Frank Geers made a cameo, further embedding the organization into the sport’s cultural narrative.
In the following year, Topps Co. acknowledged cornhole’s increasing popularity by placing reigning ACO King of Cornhole Matt Guy on an official World Champions Collector Card. This was the first time a cornhole player was memorialized on a trading card, making the sport culturally significant.
The American Cornhole Organization continued to receive mainstream attention, particularly due to its association with ESPN. ESPN’s Wider World of Sports covered the ACO King of Cornhole Championship VIII in 2013, followed by SportsCenter on the Road’s coverage of the ACO World Championships of Cornhole in 2015. These prime-time broadcasts brought millions into contact with competitive cornhole, cementing its status as a valid sport in mainstream media.
Institutional Milestones and Community Integration
The ACO’s vision extended beyond competition. In 2020, the organization effectively lobbied for the creation of ACO World Cornhole Day, and then-Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin of Columbia, South Carolina, signed the proclamation. Observed every year on the last Saturday of July, this event not only recognizes cornhole’s cultural relevance but also solidifies its social and celebratory nature.
Continuing its history of expansion and integration, the ACO entered into a partnership with the National Senior Games Association in 2022, bringing cornhole to an expanded, multi-generational fan base. This partnership highlighted cornhole’s universal appeal and accessibility across all age segments, further rooting the game in American social culture.
Innovation and Inclusivity
The ACO has consistently demonstrated its commitment to innovation and inclusivity. In 2023, it introduced Adaptive Cornhole, a division designed for players with disabilities, fostering a culture of accessibility and equality. This inclusive initiative was celebrated at the ACO Major in Buffalo, New York, and later integrated into the ACO Worlds 2024, showcasing the organization’s progressive approach to sportsmanship.
The same year, the ACO launched ACO Skins, an innovative game format that introduced strategic depth and excitement to cornhole. Consisting of 13 skins per game, each frame is worth one skin, and the first player to win seven skins claims victory. This format was promptly added to the Pro Tour, reflecting the ACO’s adaptability and commitment to evolving the sport.
Global Expansion and Digital Evolution
Marking its global growth, the ACO hosted its inaugural ACO Europe Major in Manchester, UK, in 2024, bringing cornhole to new international markets and establishing itself as the global ambassador of the game. This global presence was further solidified through a partnership with AAU, which led to the first-ever ACO/AAU Junior World Championships hosted in Owensboro, Kentucky, and aimed at developing the next generation of competitive cornhole athletes. Additionally, the ACO expanded into Canada, hosting the first ACO Canada Major, Season 21, in September 2025 in Charlottetown, PEI.
The ACO also adopted digital innovation to connect with a larger community. Using TACO, the ACO has been able to transmit the sport’s stories, strategies, and fan insights. Complementing this digital presence is Hole Nation, led by Rich Pyle, which creates compelling content celebrating the cultural significance of cornhole. The relaunch of Hole Magazine as a digital hub further solidified the ACO’s position as the primary storyteller of cornhole culture.
Cultural Collaborations and Entertainment Integration
The ACO’s influence on popular culture extends beyond competitive sports. In 2025, the group published the “100% Official Cornhole Cookbook”, which brought together culinary experiences and cornhole culture, illustrating the sport’s inclusion in American social events. The ACO also made national news by being featured on Thursday Night Football (TNF), capitalizing on the NFL’s enormous audience to expose cornhole to an even broader crowd.
A pioneering partnership in 2025 brought forth Monster Cornhole, a supersized version of the game that gained popularity with its exciting and attention-grabbing nature it. This leap highlighted the ACO’s plan to fuse sports and entertainment, which further widened cornhole’s cultural presence.
Cultural Ambassador and Visionary Leadership
The ACO has constantly written the book on cornhole, turning a backyard game into a revered competitive sport. By applying strategic marketing, community outreach, and ongoing innovation, the ACO has effectively established cornhole as a treasured element of contemporary Americana. With its blend of tradition and modernity, cornhole has become a sport accessible to everyone, yet one that remains dynamic and continually evolving.
