Published July 2, 2026
If you follow me at all, you probably know I love this community. But there's one thing I look forward to every single week during the summer that I don't talk about enough — Thursday night cornhole at Union Brewery.
I've been playing in CCA Sports' cornhole league for a couple of seasons now, and I'll be honest: I'm a little obsessed. Every Thursday evening, I grab a cold beer, meet up with some friends (and drag my partner along when I can talk them into it), and spend the night tossing bags under the open sky at one of Carmel's best spots.
What Is CCA Sports?
If you haven't heard of CCA Sports, they run recreational adult sports leagues all over Indianapolis and Carmel — everything from volleyball to soccer to bocce ball. But their cornhole league is what hooked me. The format is simple: two-person teams, cancellation scoring, first to 21 wins. You play a handful of games each Thursday night over a 6-week regular season, then finish it out with a post-season tournament. It's organized, it's fun, and the skill level ranges enough that whether you're a seasoned bag-slinger or a total beginner, you'll fit right in.
Signing up is easy at ccasports.com — you can register as a two-person team or even hop on their sub list if you just want to try it out before committing to a full season.
The Union Brewery Setting Is Half the Fun
I've played at a few different CCA Sports venues over the years, but Union Brewery might be my favorite. There's just something about playing cornhole with a cold craft beer in your hand, surrounded by other people doing exactly the same thing, that feels like summer in the best possible way. The outdoor setup is perfect for it — casual enough that you can relax, but there's just enough competition in the air to keep things interesting.
And "interesting" is the right word. Our league is what I'd call friendly but competitive. Nobody's out there screaming at bad throws, but people are absolutely trying to win. I've been on the wrong end of some nail-biting finishes, and I've had a few clutch wins of my own that I'm still probably too proud of. There's nothing like sinking a bag on a pressure shot when it actually matters — even if it's just a Thursday night league and the only prize is bragging rights until next week.
Why I Keep Coming Back
Honestly, it started as something fun to do on Thursday evenings. Now it's become one of those things I genuinely look forward to all week. After two or three summers of doing this, I've gotten to know the regulars, I've gotten meaningfully better at the game, and it's become a reliable excuse to get outside, support a local brewery, and spend time with people I like.
Carmel has no shortage of things to do, but there's something about a low-key adult sports league that scratches a different itch. It's social without being overwhelming, competitive without being stressful, and cheap enough that it doesn't feel like a big commitment. And at Union Brewery, the atmosphere does all the heavy lifting.
If you've been on the fence about joining a league — for cornhole or anything else — I genuinely can't recommend CCA Sports enough. Summer registration is open now, and Thursday nights at Union Brewery still have room. Come find me on the boards.
Sign up at ccasports.com and I'll see you out there.
Sources: CCA Sports – Cornhole Leagues | CCA Sports – Carmel Leagues