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Cornhole Tournament Travel on a Budget: How to Save at Big Events
A weekend trip to an ACL Open or a big cornhole tournament is one of the best experiences in the game. You get three days of competition, a chance to throw against great players, and time with your cornhole friends. But between hotels, gas or flights, food and entry fees, the costs add up fast.
The good news: with a little planning, you can play more events without blowing your budget. Here’s how.
1. Plan Early
The earlier you plan, the more you save.
- Check the schedule as soon as it’s released. Pick the events you want to play and mark the dates. 👉 ACL Events Schedule 2026–27
- Book lodging as soon as you commit. Hotels near the venue fill up fast on tournament weekends, and prices climb as the event gets closer.
- Choose refundable bookings when you can, in case your partner backs out or plans change.
- Pick events within driving distance when your budget is tight. Skipping the airfare is usually the single biggest savings.
2. Save on Lodging
Lodging is usually your biggest expense.
- Split a room. Two to four players in one room can cut your hotel cost in half or more.
- Look a few miles out. Hotels 10–20 minutes from the venue are often much cheaper than the ones next door.
- Choose hotels with free breakfast. That’s one meal a day you don’t have to buy.
- Consider a vacation rental for groups. A house or condo with a kitchen works well for a whole team or club.
- Camping or RV parks are the cheapest option for players with the gear for it. Many venues have campgrounds nearby.
- Book directly with the hotel and ask about tournament or sports-group rates. Some events arrange discounted room blocks.
3. Save on Getting There
- Carpool. Splitting gas and tolls with teammates is the easiest savings on the trip.
- If you fly, search midweek and off-peak flights, set fare alerts, and pack light. Cornhole bags fit easily in a carry-on.
- Check for free airport shuttles. Many hotels and resort venues offer them.
- Use local transit or rideshares for short trips instead of renting a car, when the venue is close to your hotel.
- Plan for parking. Some venues charge, so check ahead and budget for it.
4. Save on Food
Tournament food adds up fast over a three-day weekend.
- Hit a grocery store when you arrive. Stock up on water, snacks, fruit and sandwich supplies.
- Pack a cooler if you’re driving.
- Eat breakfast at the hotel, and save restaurant meals for dinner with your crew.
- Find local spots rather than eating every meal at the venue. Local diners and taco shops are often cheaper and better.
- Check the venue’s rules on outside food and drinks before you bring your own.
5. Save on Entry Fees
- Consider an ACL membership. Club, Open and Diamond members get $10 off each event at Regional, State and Open tournaments, so the savings add up if you play several events.
- Choose your events wisely. Only your top 2 singles and top 2 doubles finishes at Opens count toward Open standings, so you don’t need to enter every event to compete for points. 👉 ACL Player Guide 2026–27
- Bring your own partner. Locking in your doubles partner early makes it easier to share rooms and rides.
6. Pack Smart (and Avoid Buying Gear on Site)
Forgetting gear means paying full price at the venue.
- Bring two sets of bags in different colors, in case your opponent picks your color first.
- Make sure your bags are legal before you leave. 👉 ACL Bag Policy | ACL Approved Bag List
- Pack a cornhole backpack to keep your bags protected and organized. 👉 Velcro Cornhole Backpack
- Don’t forget the extras: bag serum, a towel, comfortable shoes, a refillable water bottle, phone chargers, and the Cornhole App on your phone.
Weekend Budget Worksheet
Use this template to plan your trip. Fill in your own numbers for each event.
| Expense | Your estimate |
|---|---|
| Lodging (your share × nights) | $ |
| Gas, tolls or airfare | $ |
| Parking and local rides | $ |
| Food (about 6 meals plus snacks) | $ |
| Entry fees | $ |
| Extras (gear, souvenirs) | $ |
| Total | $ |
Tip: Set a weekend total before you go, and track it in your phone’s notes as you spend.
Ready to Hit the Road?
The best tournament weekends come down to good planning, good friends and good bags. Before you go, make sure your gear is ready.
