There are two kinds of people in the world: people who already know and love cornhole and have their own set of boards, and then there is everyone else who just hasn’t found the game yet. Whichever bucket you’re in, it’s always good to review WHERE you can play cornhole, because let’s face it, it’s the best game out there.
PARTIES
Everyone loves parties. Friends, family, food, drink, music, fun, games…maybe a dog or two to pet. What’s not to love? Parties are a prime time to break out cornhole though. There’s only so much small talk you can take at a party, and everyone knows you’re really just there to eat someone else’s food. But if there’s a game to play, it’s a whole new thing. You can form teams, and alliances. You create an arch nemesis out of the first team who beats you at the game. You’ll spend the rest of the party trying to win back glory from those who STOLE it from you!Cornhole is great because it gives you something to do and something to talk about, which can be super helpful for folks who aren’t great at small talk. Play a game with four people, pick someone you know as your teammate (since you’re standing across the way from them anyway) and play against a team of two who you don’t know very well, or at all! You’ve now got the perfect setup to get to know someone while doing something else, which makes it so much easier. You’ve got something in common right in front of you. You’re actually doing it right now! It’s perfect.
The game is fun, it gets people out of their shells, helps folks mingle. And even if you’re the guy that actually hates parties but you’re there anyway, you can now just play cornhole instead of….you…party.
SPORTS GAMES
This one is probably my favorite, because it’s more than “one” spot really. You can tailgate any sport really, you just have to show up to a place early. You could tailgate grocery shopping if you want, or your dentist appointment. Just get somewhere before you need to be there and set up your cornhole boards. It’s fine!Most people think of football when they hear “tailgating,” and that’s great! I haven’t been to many pro football games but the few that I have been to we’ve always played tailgate cornhole. You can certainly tailgate college games too, though I find many students, of the home team anyway, just drunkenly stagger their way to the stadium so maybe no tailgating for them as they don’t have cars or the ability to stand up straight, but everyone else can play cornhole when they arrive!
Soccer games are great places for tailgating, and consequently great for cornhole, too! You’ll often see people with soccer balls attending soccer games because, well, that makes sense! But soccer balls can get unruly. They roll away and you have to go chase them. Not a problem with cornhole. Square bags don’t roll. No issue. In fact, I guarantee if you break out a set of cornhole boards while tailgating at a soccer game (and soccer fans do love tailgating) you will absolutely get someone WITH a soccer ball to come over and play cornhole with you instead.
I don’t see tailgating as much at baseball games. Maybe I just haven’t been to enough baseball games at any level of the sport, aside from when I played when I was 9 and I don’t think I was tailgating those games. But following the first principle we discussed - just show up early to something - baseball games are great places to tailgate too!
And honestly, I think we embrace tailgating at children’s sporting events. Maybe not with the booze, but you’ve got a place where a ton of parents are standing around, often all day, and watching their kids “play” sports. Sure sure, watch your kid for a bit and see how amazing they’re doing, but then focus on some REAL competition - crushing Jimmy and Susy down the street at cornhole. Get a soda in hand, bring some snacks (kids have to eat and they love snacks - sharing is caring), and stick it to your neighbors who let their dog crap in your yard every day by destroying them 21-2 in a “friendly” game.
Anyway, you get the idea. Cornhole really can be played anywhere, with anyone. You need a little bit of flat ground and you need your boards and bags. And a couple people. So find a spot that’s flat (this is why parking lots and sports fields are great options) and start playing. People will see and they’ll want to play, too.
If you play it, they will come!