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Updated October 30, 2026
The King of Cornhole is the most famous title in the sport. Every July, the American Cornhole Organization crowns its World Singles Champion at the ACO World Championships, and that player becomes the King of Cornhole. The title has been awarded every year since 2006. Only 13 players have ever won it.
Here’s who holds the crown now, how the title is won, and every King of Cornhole in ACO history.
Who Is the Current King of Cornhole?
Cannon Hatcher is the reigning King of Cornhole. He won World Singles at ACO Worlds 21 in July 2026 at the Owensboro Convention Center in Owensboro, Kentucky. In the final, he beat defending champion Sebastian Barger.
Top 8 in World Singles at Worlds 21:
- Cannon Hatcher
- Sebastian Barger
- Karsten Morris
- Sammy Vansickle
- Riley Brewster
- Drew Dickson
- Lonnie Campos
- Isaac Hurt
Barger still had a huge week. He won the World Doubles title with Tyler Goodwin and was named Singles Player of the Season, but the crown went to Hatcher.
What Is the King of Cornhole?
The King of Cornhole is the title given to the ACO World Singles Champion. It isn’t a season-long points title. It’s won in one tournament: the World Singles division at the ACO World Championships, held each July.
The final rounds are played on Championship Night, the last Saturday in July. The ACO also celebrates that day as World Cornhole Day. The ACO crowned its first King of Cornhole at its first national championship in December 2006 in Northern Kentucky. Every World Championships since has crowned a new King.
King of Cornhole vs. Player of the Season: The ACO also names a Singles Player of the Season, based on performance across the whole season. That’s a separate award. In 2026, for example, Sebastian Barger was Player of the Season, and Cannon Hatcher won the crown.
How to Become King of Cornhole
Every King of Cornhole followed the same path:
- Become an ACO member. A World Membership lets you earn World Ranking points and compete for prize money.
- Earn points during the season. Points come from ACO Majors, ACO Regionals and State Championships, and they decide your World Ranking.
- Qualify for World Singles at Worlds. Your season results get you into the field. ACO Pros go straight into the World Singles main bracket.
- Win World Singles. Survive the bracket, reach Championship Night, and win the final.
The crown comes with lasting rewards. Every King of Cornhole in history holds lifetime ACO-PRO status. All 13 champions are on the ACO’s lifetime pro list.
Every ACO King of Cornhole Winner
| Title | Year | King of Cornhole | Runner-Up | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King of Cornhole 21 | 2026 | Cannon Hatcher | Sebastian Barger | Owensboro, KY |
| King of Cornhole XX | 2025 | Sebastian Barger | Josh Holland | Tulsa, OK |
| King of Cornhole 19 | 2024 | Isaac Hurt | Kaleb Hurt | Owensboro, KY |
| King of Cornhole 18 | 2023 | Jeremiah Ellis | Isaac Hurt | Owensboro, KY |
| King of Cornhole 17 | 2022 | Craig Ervin | Austin Thomason | Branson, MO |
| King of Cornhole 16 | 2021 | Gary Ferguson | Austin Schlobohm | Bradenton, FL |
| King of Cornhole 15 | 2020 | Matt Guy | Erick Davis | Columbia, SC |
| King of Cornhole 14 | 2019 | Matt Guy | Ryan Windsor | Las Vegas, NV |
| King of Cornhole 13 | 2018 | Ryan Windsor | Tanner Halbert | Montgomery, AL |
| King of Cornhole XII | 2017 | Jamie Graham | Ryan Windsor | Owensboro, KY |
| King of Cornhole XI | 2016 | Matt Guy | Cody Clark | Knoxville, TN |
| King of Cornhole X | 2015 | Matt Guy | James Baldwin | Knoxville, TN |
| King of Cornhole IX | 2014 | Jeff Reynolds | Adam Hissner | Charleston, WV |
| King of Cornhole VIII | 2013 | Bret Guy | Brandon Hill | Florence, KY |
| King of Cornhole VII | 2012 | Isidro Herrera | Eric Zocklein | Tunica, MS |
| King of Cornhole VI | 2011 | Eric Zocklein | Isidro Herrera | Tunica, MS |
| King of Cornhole V | 2010 | Matt Guy | Gary Lewis | Elizabeth, IN |
| King of Cornhole IV | 2009 | Matt Guy | Steve Vanderver | Las Vegas, NV |
| King of Cornhole III | 2008 | Matt Guy | Steve Vanderver | Las Vegas, NV |
| King of Cornhole II | 2007 | Matt Guy | Randy Atha | Las Vegas, NV |
| King of Cornhole I | 2006 | Matt Guy | Theo Baca | Covington, KY |
King of Cornhole Records & Fun Facts
- Matt Guy owns the throne. He has won the King of Cornhole 9 times, including the first five in a row (2006–2010) and back-to-back titles in 2015–16 and 2019–20. No one else has won it more than once.
- Only 13 players have ever been crowned King.
- Back-to-back finals for Sebastian Barger. He won the crown in 2025 and returned to the final in 2026, where he lost to Cannon Hatcher.
- A brother vs. brother final. In 2024, Isaac Hurt beat his brother Kaleb Hurt for the title. Isaac also reached the final the year before.
- Ryan Windsor’s three-year run. He reached the final three straight years: runner-up in 2017, King in 2018, and runner-up again in 2019.
- Rematch in Tunica. Eric Zocklein beat Isidro Herrera in the 2011 final. Herrera returned the favor in 2012.
Other World Titles at ACO Worlds
The King of Cornhole is the headline event, but it isn’t the only world title on the line. The ACO also crowns world champions in Doubles, Womens (historically called the Queen of Cornhole), Seniors, Juniors and more.
ACO Worlds 21 (2026) champions:
- World Singles (King of Cornhole): Cannon Hatcher
- World Doubles: Sebastian Barger / Tyler Goodwin
- Womens: Cheyenne Bubenheim
- Seniors: Daymon Dennis
- Juniors Premier: Bryce Forbes
Who Will Be the Next King of Cornhole?
The race for King of Cornhole 22 is already underway. ACO Worlds 22 takes place in July 2027, and the season’s Majors are where players earn their way into the field. See every stop on the ACO events schedule, and meet the ACO Pros who’ll be chasing the crown.
Thinking about making your own run? It starts with your gear. ACO-sanctioned play requires ACO-approved bags, and our Bag Speed Chart can help you find the right speed for your throw.
Champion history is from the official ACO World Champions records at americancornhole.com.
