ACL Bag Policy for Cornhole: Weight, Series, and Event Checks

You show up to a regional with new bags and the director asks about stamp year, weight, and whether all four match. Or you Google acl bag policy in the fall and get festival clear-bag rules instead of cornhole. American Cornhole League rules are specific, and they are not concert gate security.

The short answer

This guide covers American Cornhole League BYOB (Bring Your Own Bags) rules for cornhole points events, not the Austin City Limits Music Festival clear-bag gate policy. For sanctioned play, bags must appear on the current-season approved manufacturer list, carry the right equipment stamp (PRO for Pro Division and broadcast courts, COMP for most other points events), measure 6in x 6in laid flat, weigh 15.5 to 16.5 oz per the ACL Rules & Regulations updated 10/24/25, and sit between 1.1 and 1.5 in thick. All four bags in your set must match, colors must be distinguishable from your opponent's, and tournament directors can inspect before play and again before prize money is paid.

Quick reference: ACL bag parameters

Parameter	ACL target	Tolerance	What directors check on challenge
Laid-flat size	6in x 6in	Per ACL equipment guidelines	Measured laid flat; diagonal check on 2023+ stamps
Weight	16 oz	15.5 to 16.5 oz (current rules page)	Scale at director's table
Thickness	1.1 to 1.5 in	Per ACL equipment guidelines	Thickness tool
Diagonal (new bags)	Per manufacturer spec	Per 2023+ stamp rules	Measured on bags stamped 2023 or later
Stamp visibility	Current-season ACL stamp	Logo readable, correct tier	Visual inspection; no restamps
Set uniformity	Four identical bags	Same manufacturer and series	All four must match
Distinguishable colors	Unique from opponent	No confusion at 27ft	Color agreement or coin toss

Primary source: ACL Bags + Equipment Guidelines and Rules & Regulations on iplaycornhole.com. Older handouts citing the 2023 PDF may show a 16.25 oz weight cap; the live rules page lists 16.5 oz.

Not the music festival: why "ACL" confuses search

Every September and October, search results mix Austin City Limits Music Festival gate rules (clear bags, clutch limits) with cornhole. Search American Cornhole League BYOB policy or use this guide if you are packing for a points event.

What the ACL bag policy covers

BYOB is ACL's approved manufacturer list for stamped bags at points events. The 2023 PDF and live rules require it for all ACL points events that season. Licensees must follow it; other orgs can license it free via an iPlayACL ticket for bar leagues or fundraisers. Directors should publish the policy variant before registration.

ACL equipment levels and stamps

ACL publishes five equipment levels. Bags carry PRO, COMP, or REC stamps; boards add ELITE and MINI tiers.

Level	Stamp on bags?	Typical bag use	Board note (brief)	Typical player
PRO	Yes (PRO)	ACL Pro Division, broadcast courts	PRO boards required	Professional and elite competitive
ELITE	No (use COMP or PRO bags)	N/A for bags	ELITE boards for top-tier play	High-level regional
COMP	Yes (COMP)	Most sanctioned events outside Pro Division	COMP boards common	Competitive club and regional
REC	Yes (REC)	Casual and non-competitive play	REC boards	Backyard and club nights
MINI	No	N/A	MINI boards for youth or novelty	Not for regulation points events

PRO stamps are required for ACL Pro Division and broadcast courts. COMP stamps cover most other sanctioned points events. REC stamps suit casual play, not points events. See the skill-level bags guide for dual-sided fabric detail.

Physical parameters: weight, size, and thickness

ACL measures bags laid flat. Finished size targets 6in x 6in. Weight targets 16 oz with a tolerance of 15.5 to 16.5 oz on the ACL Rules & Regulations page updated 10/24/25. Thickness must fall between 1.1 and 1.5 in. Corners may be rounded up to 0.5 in radius on a 6in bag. Loose threading over 1/8 in, board-damaging fabric, or residue after a slide can fail inspection. New to the baseline frame? See the regulation count and weight guide. The American Cornhole Association publishes different parameters; read ACL vs ACA vs backyard rules if your league has not picked a governing body.

Matching sets, colors, and dual-sided bags

All four bags must be identical: same manufacturer, same series, same construction. Gray suede on one side and red duck on the other is fine on every bag; two duck colors in one set is not. Mixing brands in one set is prohibited.

Opponents must use distinguishable colors. The higher seed usually picks in seeded play; unseeded games may use a coin toss. Broadcast courts limit bag colors and logo placement (one primary color with logo restrictions per the 2023 ACL Bag Policy PDF). Dual-sided speed is separate from color rules; see the skill-level bags guide.

Alterations, conditioning, and foreign substances

You cannot alter stitching, add or remove fill, or restamp logos. Washing, drying, and ACL-approved break-in products are allowed. The 10/24/25 rules update also covers sweat and foreign substances during play.

Leaking fill, patched seams, or visible tampering fail inspection. See the corn vs resin fill guide when a challenge involves added or removed resin.

Event checks: before, during, and after the match

Player checklist

1. Confirm your bag model is on the current-season BYOB list before travel.
2. Check stamp year (pre-2021 stamps are not eligible). On challenge, directors measure thickness and weight on pre-2023 stamps and size on 2023+ stamps.
3. Request pre-match inspection if needed; agree distinguishable colors with your opponent.
4. Once play starts, both sets are accepted for that match even if a problem surfaces later.
5. Prize-money finishers should expect post-tournament inspection.

Director checklist

1. Publish whether the event runs full ACL BYOB policy or an approved variant.
2. On challenges, measure thickness and weight; verify size on 2023+ stamps.
3. Document disputes and supply tournament bags if colors conflict.
4. Inspect prize-money finishers. Non-compliant bags can forfeit payout; repeat violations can mean suspension or a season ban per ACL Rules & Regulations.

See cornhole tournament rules for rec leagues for pitch-clock and bracket context.

Common mistakes at ACL bag inspection

Mistake	Why it fails	Fix
Mismatched brands or colors in one set	ACL prohibits two Brand A and two Brand B, or alternating duck colors	Four identical bags from the same manufacturer and series
Faded or missing stamp logos	Fails visual inspection	Replace the set; restamps are not allowed
Pre-2021 stamps	Not eligible regardless of condition	Buy current-season stamped bags
Altered seams or added resin	Counts as bag alteration	Factory replacement set
Wrong equipment level for division	COMP stamp at a PRO-only event	Match stamp tier to division requirements
Googling "ACL" bag rules in October	Festival results dominate the SERP	Search "American Cornhole League BYOB policy" or use this guide

Backyard play vs ACL points events

REC-tier bags and unmatched backyard sets work for cookouts. Points events require BYOB list membership, the correct stamp tier, and four matching bags. Start with the regulation count guide if you are building a home court. Bar and brewery directors should bundle bag rules with pitch clocks and bracket format in the same pre-event packet.

Buying and checking bags before an event

Before travel, check stamp readability, weight on a scale (15.5 to 16.5 oz), thickness if you have a gauge, and current BYOB list membership. The bags-for-sale checklist covers retail red flags. Matched regulation gear still matters when boards are custom: The Cornhole Exchange builds 24in x 48in tournament boards and 6oz duck cloth bags filled to 1lb with resin (materials). A browser-based designer is in development for previewing artwork on a regulation birch or all-weather face with zoom and shareable links. It is not open yet. Breweries and corporate leagues can review bulk questions on the site FAQ.

What to do after reading this

Print the player checklist and cross-check the live BYOB list on iplaycornhole.com before travel. Leagues still choosing a governing body should read ACL vs ACA vs backyard rules. More guides on the blog.