How to earn an ACL Pro spot

If you want to earn an ACL Pro spot for the next season, you need to read this! It is possible that the new season has not even started yet but if you have your sights set on claiming one of those ACL Pro spots, you need to start preparing now to make your dream a reality. Lets jump right in and give you all the new info, as of today, that you need to focus on.

As the sport of cornhole grows, many backyard players are looking for information on how to take their game to the next level after seeing a match on ESPN over the weekend and muttering, I could beat that guy. Well, this is your big chance! Put your bags where your mouth is. Read below on exactly what you need to do to get the opportunity of a lifetime. A chance to earn one of those 256 ACL Pro spots in the American Cornhole League.

How to Qualify for a 2023/24 ACL Pro Spot

Below are the ways to qualify for an ACL Pro spot for the 2023/24 season: 

1. The top 50 ranked ACL Pro Doubles Teams in ACL Pro Doubles standings will automatically be eligible for an ACL Pro spot in 2023-2024.
   
2. The top 24 ranked ACL Pro Women in ACL Pro Singles Standings will automatically be eligible to be an ACL Pro in 2023-2024
   
3. The top 4 Pro Development Cup (PDC) ranked players via ACL Pro Singles Standings will automatically be eligible to be an ACL Pro in 2023-2024
   
4. The top 24 ranked players in ACL Open Standings who do not qualify as an ACL Pro outlined in #1-#3 above will be eligible for an ACL Pro spot in 2023-2024
   
5. The top 32 finishers at the 2023 ACL Pro Qualifier will be eligible to be an ACL Pro in 2023-2024. All 2022-2023 ACL Pros who did not qualify in #1-4 above will be eligible to play in this event along with other players.
   
6. Each ACL Conference Director (14 total) is eligible to host an ACL Pro Qualifier event between the conclusion of the 2023 ACL World Championships and September 15, 2023 open to the top 100 or more ranked players in that particular conference.
   
7. There will be 10 players accepted into the ACL Pro Division via the ACL Pro Application
   
8. There will be a maximum of 8, minimum of 0 possible U18 spots available to be claimed by being a top finisher at the 2023 USA Cornhole Juniors National Championship. See U18 Details below.
   
9. All remaining spots will be filled top-down from ACL Pro Singles Standings from 2022-2023 who have not already qualified in #1-8 above (minimum 40, maximum 76).

If you are a backyard player looking to earn your ACL Pro spot, one of the best ways to do it is on points. Play tons of ACL events, win, rank in the top in your conference, state, at ACL Opens, etc. Or, work your butt off all year and head to the qualifier to grab your ACL Pro spot! Good luck

U18 ACL Pros

The ACL Pro Division will feature only eight (8) ACL Pros under the age of 18 as of January 1, 2023. Priority for these 8 ACL Pro spots will first be given to 2022-2023 ACL Pros who requalify via Pro Standings (listed above). Then, priority will be given to those that finished 2022-2023 in the top 24 of Open Standings (U18 players must finish in the Top 24 without the removal of any ACL Pros). If any spots remain after that, they will be given to select applicants via the ACL Pro Application. Next year, 2023-24, the U18 rules are changing so continue to read below.

ACL Pros in the 2022-2023 season that are under 16 years of age as of January 1, 2023 will be ineligible for the following events:

-ACL Pro Invitational
-ACL Team events
-ACL Pro Shootout Series
-ACL Special events featuring match odds

Important info for players under 16 years of age starting January 1, 2024!

Moving forward beginning in 2023-2024, the ACL will allow 8 U18 players that will be 16 years of age or older as of January 1, 2024. No new players under 16 years of age by 1/1/24 will be permitted to compete in the ACL Pro Division. Any players under 16 years of age already within the division will be grandfathered in and hold their ACL Pro spot indefinitely as long as the player requalifies each season per that season’s ACL Pro Guide via ACL Pro Standings.

Each season’s 8 U18 players will first be filled by players who automatically requalify via the Pro Qualification guidelines outlined above. If all 8 spots are filled, then no players from the USA Cornhole Juniors National Championship will be eligible for the Pro Division the following season. If less than 8 spots are filled via automatic requalification, then the difference will be filled via top finishers at the USA Cornhole Juniors National Championship.

For example, if through step 6 of the Pro Qualification steps above, 194 ACL Pro spots have been claimed, with 4 U18 spots claimed, that would leave 4 additional spots for U18 players at the USA Cornhole Juniors Championship and 56 additional spots from Pro Singles standings that have not yet already qualified. For every U18 player inside those 56 remaining Pro Singles spots, deduct one spot from the USA Cornhole Juniors National Championship automatic qualifiers.

Benefits of an ACL Pro

• The ability to refer to yourself as an ACL Pro in the public marketplace and market yourself to sponsors as an ACL Pro. 
• Participation in the ACL Pro Standings and Prize Pool associated with it.
• Entry into the ACL Pro Singles, ACL Pro Doubles, and ACL Pro Team events at ACL Pro Nationals, ACL Pro Shootout Qualifiers and the ACL World Championships.
• Opportunity to qualify for the ACL Pro Doubles Shootout Championship. 
• Opportunity to qualify for the ACL Pro Singles Shootout Championship. 
• Opportunity to purchase an ACL Pro Officially licensed jersey.
• Recognition on the ACL Website in the ACL Pro Section.
• Opportunities to be selected for ACL Special Events and Public Relations opportunities.
• International opportunities with the WCO.
• Additional opportunity to appear on Nationally Televised events.

Check the full ACL Schedule of events here

This is the information we have and it comes direct from the ACL. For more info, visit their website directly and be sure to tell them, you heard about it on Cornhole Addicts. This is subject to change and if it does, we will make the appropriate changes here.

Of course, if you are playing in the ACL, you will need some ACL Approved cornhole bags. Be sure to visit our Pro Shop for all the best bags and equipment to make your game the best it can be. We are Everything Cornhole to Feed Your Addiction!