Last updated: July 2026
The American Cornhole League (ACL) is the organisation that sets the worldwide standard for what a cornhole board and a cornhole bag have to do. If it carries an ACL stamp, you know two things straight away: the equipment meets fixed dimensions and requirements, and it is allowed in official competition.
Wicked Wood Games makes officially ACL-licensed equipment and builds its boards and bags by hand in Europe. That means you play on the same equipment used in the ACL Europe Series, with no customs delays and no gamble on quality.
On this page you will read what the ACL is, how ACL Europe works, what the REC, COMP and PRO stamps mean, and which equipment suits the level you play at.
What is the American Cornhole League (ACL)?
The ACL is the largest cornhole organisation in the world. It runs competitions, maintains a player ranking and — most important if you are buying equipment — sets the official standards that boards and bags have to meet.
The core of that standard:
- Board: 121.9 × 60.9 cm (24 × 48 inches), hole roughly 15.2 cm across
- Distance between the front edges of the boards: 8.23 metres
- Bag: roughly 15 × 15 cm and 400–450 grams
- A construction that limits bounce and gives a predictable slide
Without a standard like that, no match can be compared fairly: one board slides faster than another, and one bag weighs more. That is why almost every serious tournament organiser in Europe bases its rules on the ACL regulations. All the dimensions are on our page about official cornhole dimensions and distances.
What is ACL Europe?
ACL Europe is the European arm of the American Cornhole League. Where the ACL runs televised matches and a professional circuit in the United States, ACL Europe is building the same thing in Europe: its own tournament series, a European ranking and a route through to international events.
What you can expect at an ACL Europe tournament:
- Official ACL standards for boards, bags and distances
- Divisions by level — from recreational player to pro, so beginners can take part too
- A European ranking, with a shot at ACL Europe Pro status for the best players
- Major opens such as the ACL Europe Open, with entrants from dozens of countries
Want to know how those tournaments actually run — formats, brackets, scoring? That is all set out on the cornhole tournaments page.
ACL REC, COMP and PRO: what the stamps mean
The ACL has three licence levels. They do not say "good, better, best" — they say what the equipment was built for.
ACL REC — recreational
For at home, in the garden, at the office and on club nights. Official dimensions, affordable, light enough to carry. Our REC boards come in three thicknesses:
- 10 mm — the lightest and most portable board, ideal to start with
- 12 mm — sturdier and heavier, with rounded edges that go easy on your bags
- 15 mm — the heaviest REC board, closest to the feel of a tournament board
ACL COMP — competitive
For players who compete regularly and want a more consistent playing surface than recreational equipment offers.
ACL PRO — professional
The highest level, with the strictest requirements. This is the equipment of the pro circuit and of televised matches.
Not sure which level suits you? The cornhole bag guide explains the same distinction for bags.
Cornhole in Europe
Alongside the international ACL circuit, the cornhole scene across Europe is growing fast. Open tournaments, club nights and company tournaments are being organised, more and more often with equipment that meets the ACL standard — precisely because players can then compare their scores with one another.
If you play in a club or you are organising a tournament yourself, the rule of thumb is simple: pick one type of board and one set of bags for every lane. If the equipment differs from lane to lane, the result is never entirely fair. Our tournament guide explains how to go about that in practice.
Which ACL equipment do you need?
In short:
- Just starting out? A REC set with 10 mm or 12 mm boards and standard bags is more than enough.
- Playing club nights or local tournaments? Go for 15 mm boards and double-sided bags with resin fill.
- Playing ACL tournaments? Then equipment with the right stamp is not a luxury but an entry requirement.
Browse the range:
Frequently asked questions about the ACL
1. What does the ACL stamp on a cornhole board mean?
It means the board meets the official dimensions and construction requirements of the American Cornhole League: 121.9 × 60.9 cm, a hole of 15.2 cm and a playing surface that slides consistently. Equipment carrying that stamp is allowed in official competition.
2. What is the difference between ACL REC, COMP and PRO?
REC is meant for recreational play, COMP for competitive players and PRO for professional level. The requirements get stricter at each level, particularly for the playing surface and the construction.
3. Do I need ACL equipment to play cornhole?
Not at home. If you want to enter official ACL or ACL Europe tournaments, you do: approved equipment is mandatory there.
4. What is ACL Europe?
ACL Europe is the European arm of the American Cornhole League. The organisation runs a European tournament series and ranking, with divisions from recreational through to pro.
5. Can I enter an ACL Europe tournament as a beginner?
Yes. Most ACL Europe tournaments have divisions by level, so beginners can start in a lower division.
