Beer Pong Day – May 4, 2024

U.S.

History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
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Since May 6, 2006, Beer Pong Day has been celebrated on the first Saturday of May every year, and falls on May 4 this year. Here’s how a simple occasion to play the game turned into a day to celebrate the game itself.

History of Beer Pong Day

The day was first organized at The University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, on May 6, 2006, by Mr. Beer Pong (Jack Brosseit) and Mrs. Beer Pong (Mary Brosseit), and their oldest daughter. It was to celebrate the graduation of their youngest daughter, Miss Beer Pong.

While Beer Pong Day is not that old, the game itself goes far back in time. Beer pong came into existence, not via invention, but via evolution. And this evolution required some significant occurrences. Beer pong wasn’t invented at a college, like you’d be inclined to believe, but the game actually evolved from something similar to ping-pong, a game called Beirut (yes, like the capital of Lebanon). Beirut involved using a paddle to hit a ping-pong ball into cups.

Boston, Massachusetts, is often credited with adapting Beirut during the ’60s and ’70s to become beer pong, i.e., removing the paddle and aiming the ball at a beer cup. Thus, modern-day beer pong came into existence.

Here’s what made Boston the origin of the evolution of Beer Pong:

Beirut, the game, was already popular there.
Ping-pong, paddles, and beers were already popular in various social clubs.
The domination of the Boston Celtics in the NBA was the result of the growing popularity of Basketball in the U.S. This is what made people get rid of the paddles and use their hands instead.

Drinking games were always popular. But with the increasing popularity, beer pong tables and balls spread across North America and the United Kingdom as well.

Beer Pong Day timeline

1950s

Beer Pong Rises

Some Dartmouth scholars invent the game (according to a New York Times Article).

January 2, 2006

World Series of Beer Pong

The first World Series of Beer Pong (or WSOBP I) is held at Oasis Hotel and Casino in Mesquite, Nevada.

2008

Beer Pong Video Game

JV Games Inc. release a downloadable video game titled “Frat Party Games: Pong Toss” for the Nintendo Wii console.

2009

The Beer Pong Book is Published

On August 29, Chronicles Books publishes a 200-page guide to the game called “The Book of Beer Pong.”

Beer Pong Day FAQs

Why is beer pong called Beirut?

Beer pong and Beirut are two different games. Beirut is played using a paddle to hit the ball and get it inside the cups, while in beer pong, your hand is used instead of a paddle.

When did beer pong start?

There is no single date for the invention of beer pong. The game was more of an evolution from another game called Beirut. The evolution, however, took place during the ’60s and ’70s in Boston, Massachusetts.

Is Beer Pong An Olympic Sport?

Though recognized as a sport, it is not in the Olympics. After all, it does involve beer.

Beer Pong Day Activities

Play beer pong
The only way to truly celebrate beer pong on Beer Pong Day is to play beer pong. Invite over your friends and make the most of it. Try it with different kinds of beer. The higher the level, the stronger the beer.
Host a beer-bong championship
Take the next step of beer pong. Organize a beer-pong championship in your neighborhood or college. You can open a pool and the winning team gets it all.
Watch WSOBP
Not planning to play? Well, you can still enjoy it with your friends by watching the World Series of Beer Pong while sipping beer

5 Facts About Beer Pong Day That Will Blow Your Mind

The BPong Championship
BPong.com holds a beer pong championship event every year in Las Vegas and the winner gets a $50,000 prize.
The Beer Pong Pandemic
Over 125 countries play beer pong now and the game continues to grow more and more with people customizing their own tables and playing it online as well.
Beirut: Civil War
Many connect the competitive nature of beer pong (or Beirut) with the actual long ongoing Lebanese Civil War.
The Beer-Pong Ban
In 2007, Georgetown University banned beer pong in its premises with students not allowed to own beer pong tables or even ping pong balls.
Isla Vista
According to the Daily Nexus, 99.6% of residences in Isla Vista, California, have at least some kind of beer pong setup, ranging from wooden planks on trash cans to kitchen items.

Why We Love Beer Pong Day

It celebrates Beer Pong
A fun game that is now recognized by many around the world as a sport, Beer Pong can be played by anyone who is allowed to drink.
It’s a game anyone can play
All you need is a ping pong ball and a few cups of beer or even just soda. You don’t even need teams. Just you and your best friend can play it at your home.
It celebrates fun in the simplest of ways
The game is very simple and yet can invoke the most fun. The more people, the merrier.