Cornhole – the laid-back American backyard game of tossing bean bags onto a slanted board – has quietly made its way to Britain’s back gardens. This simple pastime, often just called “bags” or “bean bag toss,” is hugely popular in the US. In fact, in 2024 US media reported that “cornhole has exploded in popularity to take the title from activities like swimming and bowling”.
Now UK players – from festival crowds to pub patrons – are giving it a go too. Whether at summer BBQs or pub tournaments, the rules stay easy: throw 6×6in bags (filled with corn or pellets) at a 48×24in board with a 6in hole. As one American fan noted after teaching his British friends, the game felt “definitely ‘an American’ thing” to them, but “they loved playing cornhole with us” once they tried it.
Origins and American Growth
The roots of cornhole trace back to early American farm life. One history recalls that in the Midwest in the 1900s, Ohio farmers invented a crude bag-and-board game to pass the long winters. Over the decades it spread: by the 1970s and ’80s the sport (often called “bags” in Chicago and Cincinnati) was popular on Cincinnati’s west side and beyond.
Today, cornhole is backed by national leagues, ESPN coverage, and thousands of gear makers – including resources like TossCornhole.com, which reviews professional-grade boards, ACL-approved bags, and backyard kits for new fans. Its rise has been meteoric – even CBS News noted cornhole’s surge, saying in 2024 that it had “exploded in popularity” in the US.
Cornhole on These Isles
In the UK, players often just call it “bean bag toss”. It’s still relatively new here, so many Britons are hearing about it for the first time. Enthusiasts say it’s perfect for British fetes, garden parties and pub gardens. For example, some London bars advertise casual cornhole nights alongside darts and shuffleboard.
As one US blogger who introduced the game to UK friends observed, the Britons knew snooker and darts but not bag games – yet after a round of cornhole “they were good sports … and loved playing cornhole with us”.
A UK supplier even calls cornhole “the most inclusive sport in the world”, noting that anyone can join in. Indeed, its easy rules and mixed teams make it ideal for family gatherings or community festivals. (Pubs and clubs are already adding boards: one East London bar posted “Come and play Cornhole!” on its wall.)
Tournaments and League Play in the UK
Cornhole in Britain isn’t only casual – a competitive scene is emerging too. The United Kingdom Cornhole League (UKCL) now runs regular events. For instance, 2025 UKCL Qualifier #3 in Coalville drew nearly 200 games, “the biggest turnout to date” and clubs from around England. Each season culminates in a Cornhole Nationals (recently held in Manchester), crowning champions like Matthew Richardson and Daniel Lilley. Alongside the UKCL, some sports bars and societies organise friendly league nights or one-off tournaments.
It’s become common to see 2-on-2 contests at local festivals, charity events or even wedding receptions. These informal comps – sometimes held on pub beer gardens on weekends – give new players a chance to try the sport in a fun setting. All in all, UK cornhole is still small compared to darts or football, but interest is growing as more events and players spring up.
DIY and Custom Cornhole Boards
Many British cornhole fans enjoy crafting their own boards. The standard board size is 4ft×2ft with a 6in hole (and legs to raise it at a 15-degree angle), but backyard players often improvise. According to a games website, “many backyard players create their own cornhole boards, often with custom designs or decorations”. In practice, this means recycling plywood sheets, old fencing wood or even sturdy plastic boards. Enthusiasts paint them in team colours, college logos or Union Jack patterns.
For example, one London league team built boards adorned with local pub logos. There are plenty of DIY plans online (see How to Make a Cornhole Board tutorials), so it’s easy for DIYers to screw together boards and attach a simple folding leg. Even pubs get in on it: some have permanent mounted boards with built-in scorers. The creative freedom is part of the appeal – each board can be a fun craft project as well as game equipment.
Gear Guide: Boards, Bags and More
Casual players and pros use quite different gear. Key points include:
● Boards: Regulation cornhole boards are 48×24 inches with a 6-inch hole, set so the front edges are 27ft apart. Tournament boards (plywood with smooth paint) follow strict dimensions. Casual sets may use smaller or lightweight versions – for example, some UK events shorten the distance or use 3×2ft boards in cramped spaces. Materials vary: plywood and pine are common for a sturdy “home” board, while some portable plastic/composite boards exist for easy transport. For year-round play, weatherproof boards (treated wood or plastic) help. In general, pro-style boards are built to official specs (level tops, firm legs) whereas a homemade or budget set might be simpler.
● Bags: Cornhole bags are usually 6×6 inches and ~400g. The outer fabric and fill have a big impact on play. Traditional duck-canvas bags (with corn or plastic fill) are durable and give good grip on the board, but they slide more slowly. Slick polyester or carpet-front bagsslide faster. Many tournament players use dual-sided bags (one coarse side, one slick side) to switch between blocking and sliding shots. For casual backyard play, starter sets often use single-sided canvas bags filled with corn. As one guide explains, serious players use “ACL-approved” dual-sided bags of the highest quality, whereas beginner bags use cheaper cloth and corn filling.
● Casual vs Pro Sets: Professional cornhole kits (used in leagues) are standardized for competition: boards and bags meet official specs. By contrast, casual players have a wide range of options. A pub quiz night might use painted plywood and plain bags, while a dedicated player could invest in tournament-grade gear. The key difference is consistency and performance. TossCornhole’s equipment guides recommend that beginners focus on board stability and a decent mid-range bag, whereas advanced players might buy higher-end “speed” bags and smooth pro boards.
Cornhole’s rise in the UK is still in its early innings, but for many Brits it’s a welcome slice of American fun. With minimal setup and easy rules, it’s perfect for summer garden parties and social events. And as these British players will tell you, once you’ve tried it, you’ll see why “bags” is gaining fans on this side of the pond.
