Updated on
Updated: October 2026
Every serious cornhole player dreams of going pro. In the American Cornhole League (ACL), earning a Pro spot means competing on the biggest stages in the sport, against the best players in the world, for real prize money.
So how do you actually get there? Here’s how ACL Pro status works for the 2027 Pro Tour: the divisions, how to qualify, what it costs, and what’s required once you’re in.
The ACL Pro Divisions
The ACL has five pro divisions:
| Division | Who it’s for |
|---|---|
| The Top 100 | The elite tier. Guaranteed bracket entry at every Signature Open, plus priority for broadcasts and paid appearances. |
| USA Pro | Top players from every state, with national rankings and stats tracking. |
| Women’s Pro | Elite women players. |
| Senior Pro | Players 55 and older as of January 1, 2027. |
| Junior Pro | Players under 18 as of January 1, 2027. They keep eligibility for high school and college programs. |
👉 See who’s in: ACL Pros List
How to Earn an ACL Pro Spot
There’s no single path. Players earn Pro status through results over the season.
1. Climb the standings. Your finishes in Open, State and Pro standings decide much of who qualifies. For USA Pro, qualifying paths include:
- A Top 50 finish in Open standings
- A top 2 finish in your state’s standings with a CPI of 7.5 or higher
- Top state CPI, with an active membership and either events in 8 different months or 20 ACL points events
2. Win your way in at Worlds. The ACL World Championships include challenger brackets for players ranked just outside the top:
- Singles: 8 brackets for players ranked 33–250 in Pro Singles standings. The top 2 from each advance to the Main Bracket.
- Doubles: 4 brackets for teams ranked 25–125. The top 2 from each advance, and teams must have played at least two Signature events together.
- Women’s, Senior and Junior: challenger brackets for players ranked 25–50 in their division.
3. Pro Qualifiers. Divisional Pro Qualifiers offer another path into the Women’s, Senior and Junior pro divisions.
4. Qualify at Signature Opens. At each Signature Open, players outside the Top 100 compete in qualifiers for a spot in the pro brackets:
- Doubles: 30 teams qualify. Partners can come from any pro division except the Top 100.
- Singles: spots are split by division (24 USA Pro, 16 Women’s, 16 Senior and 8 Junior). The split can change based on signups.
Building your CPI is step one. Your Cornhole Performance Index decides your tier, and a strong CPI is part of several pro paths. 👉 How the ACL Measures Skill (CPI)
How Much Does It Cost to Be an ACL Pro?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Top 100 Membership | $1,200 |
| Pro Membership (USA, Women’s, Senior, Junior) | $500, due by December 15 |
| Top 100 divisional bracket registration | +$50 |
| Singles Qualifier (includes the Sunday bracket) | $75 |
| Doubles Qualifier | $150 per team |
| Sunday Divisional Bracket only | $50 |
Don’t forget travel. 👉 Cornhole Tournament Travel on a Budget
What’s Required Once You’re a Pro
Earning a spot is only half of it. Pros have to meet ACL standards all season:
- Sign the agreements: the Pro Player Agreement, and the Pro Guide acknowledgement (dress code, code of conduct and disciplinary rules).
- Use 2027 ACL Pro-licensed bags. Starting January 1, 2027, pros must use only 2027 ACL Pro-licensed bags at official Pro Tour events, and bags can be tested at any time. 👉 ACL Approved Bag List | ACL Bag Policy
- Wear the pro jersey. Jerseys are required in Signature Open pro brackets, and you need both a primarily white and a primarily black jersey for livestream matches. Top 100 players get 2 free jerseys; other pros get 1.
- Play at the right level. Pros must play at least Tier 2 at Opens, State, Interstate and Regional events, and must play their pro singles bracket on Sunday at Signatures.
- Follow the dress code. Fines start at $250 and increase with each offense.
- Stay in good standing. Breaking the rules can mean removal from the Top 100 or the Pro Program, along with its benefits.
- Promotion rules: Pros can play other organizations’ events, but ACL events and Worlds take priority. Pros can’t actively promote other national cornhole organizations or non-ACL-licensed brands.
The 2027 ACL Pro Tour Schedule
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Florida Signature Open | TBD |
| Virginia Signature Open | March 12–14, 2027 |
| Kansas Signature Open | April 23–25, 2027 |
| Pennsylvania Signature Open | May 21–23, 2027 |
| Texas Signature Open | June 4–6, 2027 |
| Arizona Signature Open | July 2027 (dates to be confirmed) |
| ACL World Championships | July 26 – August 1, 2027 (location TBD) |
👉 Full schedule: ACL Events Schedule 2026–27
How to Keep Your Pro Status for 2028
Pro status isn’t permanent. Here’s how players re-qualify:
- Top 100: the top 32 Pro Singles players and top 24 Pro Doubles teams, plus challenger bracket winners and State Qualifier winners. Remaining spots are filled from standings, the Pro Qualifier and sponsor exemptions.
- USA Pro: through Open standings, state standings and CPI, and Pro Singles standings.
- Women’s, Senior and Junior: the top 32 in divisional singles standings who make the Main Bracket, the top 10 in Open divisional standings, the top player per state, and the top 8 from the divisional Pro Qualifier.
FAQ
How do you become a pro in the ACL?
By earning your way in through results: top finishes in Open, State or Pro standings, a strong CPI, challenger brackets at Worlds, Pro Qualifiers, or Signature Open qualifiers. Then you buy a Pro membership and meet the ACL’s pro requirements.
How much does an ACL Pro membership cost?
$500 for USA Pro, Women’s, Senior and Junior Pro, due by December 15. Top 100 membership is $1,200.
What bags do ACL pros have to use?
Starting January 1, 2027, pros must use 2027 ACL Pro-licensed bags from approved manufacturers at official Pro Tour events.
Can junior players go pro?
Yes. Players under 18 as of January 1, 2027 can compete in the Junior Pro division and still keep their high school and college eligibility.
Gear Up for the Pro Tour
Chasing a pro spot? Make sure your gear is tournament-ready.
👉 Shop ACL Approved Bags | Best Cornhole Bags of 2026
Requirements and dates can change. Always confirm the latest details in the official ACL Pro Guide.
