You see them on ESPN under the bright lights, sliding bags with terrifying precision. It looks like a dream: getting paid to play a backyard game you grew up playing at tailgates. But if you’re wondering how much do pro cornhole players make, the reality is a mix of high-stakes gambling on one's own talent and a lot of side hustles.
The sport has exploded. It’s not just a hobby anymore. However, unless you're in the top 1% of the American Cornhole League (ACL), you aren't exactly buying a private island with your winnings.
The Reality of the Professional Cornhole Salary
Let's be clear: there is no "salary." You don't sign a contract for $50,000 a year to show up and throw bags. Instead, a professional cornhole player's income is a fragmented puzzle of prize money, sponsorships, and local "hustle" earnings.
For the 2025/2026 season, the ACL announced a prize pool of $1 million. That sounds huge until you realize there are now roughly 650 pros competing for it. If you spread that evenly, it’s peanuts. But it isn't spread evenly.
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Top-tier players like Jamie Graham or Tony Smith can clear significant amounts. In 2024, Jeremiah Ellis—a UPS driver by day—brought in over $61,000 in prize money alone. He was second in total earnings. That tells you a lot. Even the very best in the world often keep their day jobs because the financial floor of the sport is still quite low.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Most pros earn between $5,000 and $25,000 annually if they are consistently making "the show."
If you're a mid-tier pro, your year might look like this:
- National Tournaments: A win in Pro Singles at a major event might net you $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the specific prize pool.
- Regional Events: These are the bread and butter. You might win $150 for a singles victory or $300 for a doubles win.
- Local Blind Draws: Many pros play 3-4 times a week locally. It’s small ball—maybe $50 to $100 a night—but it covers the gas and the entry fees.
Honestly, the math is brutal for the guys at the bottom of the Pro list. Data from previous seasons showed that over 140 ACL pros earned less than $5,000 in total prize money for the entire year. When you factor in travel, hotel rooms, and the cost of custom bags, many "professional" players are actually losing money to stay on the circuit.
Where the Real Money Lives: Sponsorships
If you want to know how much do pro cornhole players make at the elite level, you have to look past the giant checks they hold on TV. The real "pro" lifestyle is funded by the logos on their jerseys.
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Sponsorships are the only way to make this a full-time gig. A top player might have a "main" sponsor—usually a bag manufacturer like Ultra Cornhole or Reynolds—that pays a monthly retainer. These deals can range from $2,000 to $5,000 a year for average pros, but for the faces of the sport, those numbers can hit mid-five figures.
The Jersey "Billboard" Effect
Take a look at a pro jersey next time it’s on screen. Every square inch is for sale.
- Primary Chest/Back: $2,000+ per season.
- Sleeve Placements: $500 to $1,000 per spot.
- Performance Bonuses: Some bag companies offer "bounties." If you win a televised event using their bags, they might cut you a $1,000 bonus check on the spot.
Some players have even branched out into their own merchandise. Selling signature series bags or branded apparel allows them to keep a much higher percentage of the profit. This is where the "business" of cornhole outpaces the "sport" of cornhole.
The Hidden Costs of Being a Pro
It isn't just about what comes in; it's about what goes out. To stay competitive, you have to travel.
A single national event can cost a player $1,000 in airfare, hotel, and food. There are four of these major nationals a year, plus conference events and opens. If you aren't placing in the top 10 consistently, you’re basically paying for a very expensive vacation where you work 12 hours a day in a convention center.
The stress is real. Jeremiah Ellis famously described the balance between a full-time job and the pro tour as "brutal." You’re practicing 3 hours a night after an 8-hour shift, then flying across the country on Friday to hopefully win enough to pay for the flight back on Sunday.
Is It Getting Better?
Yes. The trajectory is upward.
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The move to $1 million in prize money for the current season is a huge jump from just a few years ago. In 2023, only one pro exceeded the average American annual salary through cornhole alone. By 2026, we expect that number to grow as more non-endemic sponsors (think insurance companies or beer brands) enter the space.
The Cornhole Performance Index (CPI) has also helped. It keeps the skill levels separated, ensuring that pros aren't getting their prize money "poached" by high-level amateurs in certain open events.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Pros
If you’re looking to make a run at the pro circuit, you need a financial game plan that doesn't rely on winning every tournament.
- Secure a Bag Sponsor Early: Don't wait for them to call you. Build a social media presence. Show you can move product, not just throw four-baggers.
- Treat Locals as Practice: Don't rely on local $20 wins for income. Use those games to test different bag speeds and pressures under "tournament" conditions.
- Track Your ROI: Treat your cornhole career like a small business. If your travel expenses are $10k and your winnings are $4k, you have a hobby, not a job.
- Diversify Income: Start a YouTube channel, offer lessons, or become an ACL director. The most successful people in this sport are the ones who have 5 different ways to get paid.
The dream is alive, but it’s built on grit and 10,000 practice tosses in a dark garage.