Cornhole

For the first time in USA Games history, cornhole is making its debut as an official Special Olympics sport at the 2026 USA Games in Minnesota! Though still an emerging sport, cornhole (sometimes colloquially referred to as “bean bag toss” or simply “bags”) is a lawn game that is largely popular in the United States, which led to its inclusion as a demo sport at the 2022 USA Games in Orlando, and now over 4,800 athletes and Unified partners train and compete in the sport each year. The popularity of cornhole can be attributed to its simplicity of gameplay, as well as the adaptability the game to various settings–cornhole can be played at a backyard barbeque, a parking lot tailgate, an indoor activity center, and more. At the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, we plan to host traditional singles and doubles, in addition to Unified doubles competitions.

How It’s Played:
Cornhole is a precision-based tossing game that requires accuracy, strategy, and consistency. Played on a rectangular court, the game features two inclined boards, each with a hole near the top, placed 27 feet apart. At the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, athletes and Unified partners will compete in singles, doubles, and Unified doubles competitions. Players take turns throwing fabric bean bags toward the opposing board, aiming to land them on the surface or sink them through the hole for points. A bag on the board earns one point, while a bag through the hole scores three points. The game follows cancellation scoring, meaning only the higher-scoring team in a round earns points equal to the difference in points between teams. The first player or team to score or exceed 21 points wins. Cornhole emphasizes precision, patience, and strategic play, making it an exciting and accessible sport for all.