2027 Players Guide
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1 - MCA Mission and structure
The mission of the Michigan Cornhole Association (MCA) is to bring competitive cornhole back to the Club level by strengthening local Clubs, connecting players and communities through District competition, and creating opportunities for statewide recognition.
We are committed to supporting Club independence, encouraging player development, promoting fair play, and providing a clear pathway for players of all skill levels.
CLUB → DISTRICT → STATE
CLUB — BUILD: Affiliated local Clubs host qualifying competitions. Club Directors retain independence in their regular operations.
DISTRICT — CONNECT: District events bring together players from neighboring Clubs and areas. Clubs are encouraged to collaborate on scheduling and hosting.
STATE — COMPETE: One State Championship concludes the season and offers qualified STATE members an opportunity for statewide recognition.
2 — SEASON & COUNTED RESULTS
| Season Rule | 2027 Policy |
|---|---|
| Regular Season Dates | Jan 4 - Jun 6, 2027 |
| Club Season Standings | Best 23 Qualifying Club results per player |
| District Season Standings | best 5 Qualifying District finishes per player |
| State Championship | Mid to late June 2027; Exact dates TBD |
Players may participate in additional qualifying events. The counting limits determine how many results are included in MCA season rankings, not how many tournaments a Club may host.
The inaugural State Championship’s confirmed schedule, host city, venue and event disciplines will be announced once participation and tier distribution can be assessed, with clarification targeted as early as January 2027.
3 — CLUB EVENTS & POINTS
Eligible Club Formats
Straight Switch, Straight Swiss, Switch to Brackets, Swiss to Brackets, Blind Draw, Bring Your Own Partner (BYOP), and Singles.
Minimum field size
A Club event must have at least 8 Singles players or 6 Doubles teams to qualify for MCA points. Not all participants must be MCA members. Eligible MCA members may earn league points when competing in a qualifying field that includes nonmembers.
Official Club points — Singles & Doubles
| Finish | Swiss / Switch | Upper | Lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 20 | 20 | 12 |
| 2nd | 18 | 18 | 10 |
| 3rd | 16 | 16 | 8 |
| 4th | 14 | 14 | 6 |
| 5th–6th | 12 | 12 | 4 |
| 7th–8th | 10 | 10 | 2 |
| 9th–12th | 8 | 8 | 2 |
| 13th–Last | 6 | 6 | 2 |
How scoring works: Straight Swiss and Straight Switch events award points from final standings using the 20-point scale. Upper brackets use the same 20-point scale; Lower brackets use the 12-point scale. Preliminary rounders used to seed players into brackets do not award separate MCA points. Only the final applicable placement counts for that event.
4 — DISTRICT EVENTS & POINTS
District events include Singles, BYOP (Bring Your Own Partner), and Blind Draw (partners assigned randomly at the event). Clubs within a District are encouraged to work together to host and coordinate these opportunities.
A player’s best five qualifying District finishes overall count toward season rankings.
| Finish | ELITE | PREMIER | SELECT | CLUB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 100 | 80 | 60 | 40 |
| 2nd | 98 | 78 | 58 | 38 |
| 3rd | 96 | 76 | 56 | 36 |
| 4th | 94 | 74 | 54 | 34 |
| 5th–6th | 92 | 72 | 52 | 32 |
| 7th–8th | 90 | 70 | 50 | 30 |
| 9th–12th | 88 | 68 | 48 | 28 |
| 13th–16th | 86 | 66 | 46 | 26 |
| 17th–Last | 84 | 64 | 44 | 26 |
Note: The CLUB tier’s 13th-place-and-lower value is 26 points. District event minimum field sizes and detailed administration will be communicated in Director guidance.
5 — PLAYER CLASSIFICATION
Initial classification is based on the player's 120-day PPR.
| Tier | 120-day PPR |
|---|---|
| CLUB | 0.00–5.60 |
| SELECT | 5.61–6.90 |
| PREMIER | 6.91–8.50 |
| ELITE | 8.51 and above |
Mid-season review
A player will not automatically move between tiers when their rolling 120-day PPR crosses a threshold. Players remain in their assigned tiers until the scheduled mid-season classification review, expected roughly 120 days into the season.
The review will consider performance in MCA events and overall competitive placement. Glaring classification concerns may be raised at the Club level or with the MCA Player Director.
The specific review date and initial classification procedure for players without a valid 120-day PPR remain TBD
DISTRICT & STATE — TIER FORMAT
ESTABLISHED TIER — NOT ROUNDERS-BASED
Every player enters District and State competition with an MCA performance classification based on their established 120-day PPR and any approved MCA classification review. Preliminary rounders never determine a player’s tier for that day. A player cannot be moved down to a lower tier because of rounders results.
VOLUNTARY PLAY-UP
A player may elect to play up into a higher MCA tier instead of their assigned tier. The player competes in that higher division and earns points according to the higher division’s applicable points table and their finish. Playing down is not permitted. Choosing to play up does not change the player’s underlying MCA classification.
ROUNDERS — BRACKET SEEDING ONLY
The District Director has discretion to use preliminary rounders for bracket seeding and to determine the format and number of games. Two games is an example, not a required limit. Any rounders used for seeding affect bracket position only; they cannot promote, relegate, or otherwise reclassify a player for the event.
DISTRICT COMBINED DIVISIONS
Where a District Singles or Doubles division does not meet the participation minimum, classifications may be combined under the approved District rule. The combined field must meet the applicable minimum (8 Singles players or 8 Doubles teams). Everyone earns points from the highest classification’s District points table represented in the combined event. Combining divisions does not change any player’s assigned classification.
FAIR PLAY AND STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Separating tier assignment from bracket seeding removes any tier-placement advantage from deliberately underperforming in rounders. MCA sportsmanship and anti-sandbagging standards still apply. At State, tier placement follows the same established-classification and voluntary-play-up rules; State seeding procedures will be published with championship details. District division-combining permission does not automatically extend to State.
6 — MCA MEMBERSHIP
| Benefit | CLUB — $20 | STATE — $45 |
|---|---|---|
| Club and District participation | Included | Included |
| League points, statistics and local awards | Included | Included |
| State Championship eligibility | Not included | If qualified |
| State-level end-of-season awards and prizes | Not included | Included |
CLUB Membership ($20): Allows participation in Club and District competitions, points tracking, and eligibility for local prizes and awards.
STATE Membership ($45): Includes all CLUB benefits plus eligibility for the State Championship, State-level end-of-season awards, and associated apparel, trophies and prizes, subject to qualification.
Membership upgrades
Players who initially purchase a CLUB Membership will have an opportunity to upgrade to STATE Membership during the season. Upgrade procedures, payment requirements, deadlines, and treatment of previously earned results are still being finalized and will be communicated when confirmed.
7 — STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Qualification requirements
To qualify for the MCA State Championship, a player must hold an active STATE Membership and participate in at least 15 qualifying Club events and 3 qualifying District events during the regular season.
2027 Championship planning
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Target timeframe | Mid-to-late June 2027 |
| Exact dates | TBD |
| Host city and venue | TBD |
| Championship events / disciplines | TBD |
| Tournament formats and schedule | TBD |
MCA plans to clarify championship details as early as January 2027, using initial enrollment and the number of players in each tier to determine appropriate event offerings, venue requirements and scheduling. Players and Directors will receive official updates as decisions are finalized.
8 — STATE POINTS TABLE
The State Championship points scale is established by classification. Which championship disciplines will be offered remains TBD.
| Finish | ELITE | PREMIER | SELECT | CLUB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 300 | 280 | 260 | 240 |
| 2nd | 298 | 278 | 258 | 238 |
| 3rd | 296 | 276 | 256 | 236 |
| 4th | 294 | 274 | 254 | 234 |
| 5th–6th | 292 | 272 | 252 | 232 |
| 7th–8th | 290 | 270 | 250 | 230 |
| 9th–12th | 288 | 268 | 248 | 228 |
| 13th–16th | 286 | 266 | 246 | 226 |
| 17th–Last | 282 | 264 | 244 | 226 |
The CLUB tier awards 226 points for 13th place through last. The applicability of this table to specific State events will be published with the championship program.
9 — PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT
MCA promotes competitive cornhole built on honesty, integrity, sportsmanship and respect. Players are expected to represent themselves, their Clubs and the community positively.
1. Sportsmanship & Respect
Compete fairly and respect opponents, partners, Club Directors, officials and spectators. Good-natured banter is welcome; personal attacks, threats, harassment and abusive behavior are not.
2. Fair Play & Competitive Integrity
Compete at your true skill level. Intentional sandbagging, manipulation of PPR statistics, falsifying results, or misrepresenting skill level for advantage is prohibited. Provide accurate registration information. Having multiple scoreholio accounts to manipulate your teir ranking is strictly prohibited.
3. Respect for Clubs & Directors
Respect Club rules, venue policies, officials and Director decisions when administering events. Address disagreements respectfully through appropriate channels.
4. Player Concerns & Dispute Resolution
Raise concerns first with the Club Director. If unresolved, bring the matter to the MCA Board. Seek direct, respectful resolution rather than public confrontation.
5. Public Conduct & Social Media
Constructive criticism and differences of opinion are welcome. Personal attacks, harassment, threats and knowingly spreading false information about players, Clubs, Directors or MCA are unacceptable.
6. Accountability
Conduct violations may be reviewed by the Club Director or MCA Board. Responses should be reasonable and consistent, with an opportunity for players to explain their position. Formal disciplinary and appeals authority remains for Board determination.
Our Commitment:
MCA exists to strengthen Clubs, connect communities, and provide meaningful opportunities for competitive cornhole. Every player contributes to fair competition, earned achievement and mutual respect.
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