In the past, if you told someone that you wanted to be a professional cornhole player when you grew up, they probably would have laughed. For most people, cornhole is just a casual backyard game, something to play with a drink in hand at a family barbecue. But lately, this humble game of tossing bags at a board has exploded in popularity, complete with professional leagues, televised tournaments, and some serious prize money. It’s a whole new ball—er, bag—game.

This rapid growth has many dedicated players wondering if they can turn their passion into a paycheck. To help answer that, we’re here to dive into the world of professional cornhole to explore the earnings, opportunities, and what it really takes to make it big in this surprisingly competitive sport.

The Rise of Professional Cornhole

So, how did we get here? Cornhole’s journey from a laid-back lawn game to a professional sport is a classic underdog story. What started as simple fun has become more organized and amplified, thanks largely to organizations like the American Cornhole League (ACL). Founded in 2015, the ACL created a standardized system with official rules, player rankings, and a competitive structure that legitimized the sport.

The real game-changer, however, was media exposure. The ACL struck a deal with ESPN, bringing cornhole out of the backyard and into millions of living rooms. Suddenly, people were watching intense, high-stakes matches on national television.

This visibility attracted major sponsors who saw the potential in this growing community. With TV deals and corporate sponsorships, the prize pools swelled, and the dream of playing cornhole for a living started to look a lot more realistic.

How Much Do Pro Cornhole Players Make?

Let’s talk money. While you might not be buying a private jet with your cornhole winnings just yet, the top players are definitely earning a comfortable living. However, a professional cornhole player’s income comes from a few different streams.

Tournament Winnings

This is the most direct way to earn money. Major tournaments hosted by the ACL now offer substantial prize pools. The 2025 ACL World Championships, for instance, had a prize pool exceeding $700,000. Winning other major events can net a player a significant payday. Top players have earned hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money over their careers. Keep in mind, though, that these winnings aren’t always consistent and depend entirely on performance. You have a bad day; you go home with nothing.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

Just like in other professional sports, sponsorships are where the real money is for top-tier players. Brands want to be associated with the best, and they’re willing to pay for it. These deals can range from free gear from bag and board manufacturers to paid endorsements from larger consumer brands. Top pros can secure contracts that provide a steady income, travel stipends, and performance bonuses. Building a personal brand and a strong social media following is crucial for attracting these lucrative partnerships.

Merchandise and Branding

Once you have a name that the people know and love, it’s time to make some money off it. Pro players often start their own lines of merchandise, including custom jerseys, bags, and other accessories. By marketing themselves effectively, they can create a brand that fans want to support. This turns their fans into customers and adds another reliable revenue stream that isn’t dependent on winning a tournament.

The Amount You Can Expect

So, what’s the grand total? The earnings for a pro cornhole player can vary wildly. The absolute elite players at the top of the sport can earn six figures annually, with some estimates putting top earners in the $250,000 per year range.

However, many pros in the middle or lower tiers might only earn enough to cover their expenses, supplementing their income with other jobs. For most, it’s a grind, and earning a sustainable income solely from cornhole is still a significant challenge. Still, if you’re good enough and put in the effort, you could one day make a living off this sport.

Opportunities Beyond Playing

Even if you don’t earn enough to make being a pro cornhole player your career, there are plenty of other opportunities to build a career in the industry. The rapid growth of the sport has created a whole ecosystem of jobs and businesses.

• Coaching and Training: As more people get serious about cornhole, the demand for quality coaching is rising. Experienced players can offer private lessons, run clinics, or create online training programs to help aspiring players improve their skills.
• Running Tournaments: If you’re more of an organizer, you can host your own local tournaments and leagues. This can be a profitable venture, especially in areas where the cornhole scene is just starting to take off. You get to be the boss and grow the community at the same time.
• Content Creation: Are you a natural on camera? Start a YouTube channel, a TikTok account, or a podcast dedicated to cornhole. You can share tips, review gear, or interview other players. With a large enough following, you can monetize your content through ads and sponsorships.
• Brand Ambassadorship: Companies are always looking for passionate people to represent their brand. As a brand ambassador, you can promote products, attend events, and help build a company’s presence in the cornhole community in exchange for payment or free products.

The Skills and Commitment Required

Thinking about going pro? It’s not just about having a good time. It takes serious dedication. On the physical side, you need a consistent, repeatable throwing motion that holds up under pressure. Mentally, you need nerves of steel. The pressure of a final-round airmail shot with thousands of dollars on the line is intense.

Outside of that, the time commitment is huge. Top players practice for hours every day, honing their skills. Then there’s the travel. The pro tour involves traveling across the country for tournaments, which means a lot of time away from home.

And don’t forget the financial investment. You’ll need top-of-the-line equipment, like one of Slick Woody’s rustic flag cornhole boards, and you have to cover your own travel costs and tournament entry fees. All of this can add up quickly, but it’ll be worth the investment once you start making it big.

The Future of Cornhole as a Career

If you’re still unsure about pursuing this career, remember that the future for professional cornhole looks bright. The sport continues to grow, with more leagues, bigger tournaments, and increasing prize money on the horizon. There’s also a push for international expansion, which could open up new markets and opportunities for players worldwide.

As the ecosystem around the sport develops, there will be even more ways to build a career, whether as a player, a coach, an event organizer, or a media personality. While it’s still a tough road, the dream of making a living from cornhole is more achievable now than ever before.