The Ultimate Guide to Pinball Shows & Tournaments in 2026
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It's time for our annual roundup of the best pinball shows, conventions, expos, and tournaments that should be on your travel schedule for the year.
We'll update this list as new shows and tournaments are confirmed or announced.
The Starfighters Pinball Festival kicks off the 2026 competitive pinball season with a full weekend of play. Now part of the Stern Pro Circuit, this one draws serious players from across the country. Expect 3 certified tournaments (main, classics, women's) plus max match play and fair strikes events.
Pinball at the Beach returns for its second year as the premium pinball destination on Florida's Gulf Coast. With only 1,000 passes available and the TradeWinds Resort as the backdrop, this one fills up fast. The beach setting is a nice change of pace from convention center fluorescents.
INDISC continues to be one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year. Four full days of competitive pinball, including a Certified+ main event on the Stern Pro Circuit. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome—though fair warning, the competition is stiff.
Texas Pinball Festival (TPF) remains one of the biggest pinball events in the country. The 2026 edition returns to Frisco with 400+ machines, tournaments, special guests, and the usual Texas-sized enthusiasm. Tech day is March 19th for those who want to help set up.
The Louisville Arcade Expo hits its 15th year in 2026—not bad for a regional show that's become a proper destination event. Pinball, retro games, cosplay contests, tournaments, and enough nostalgia to fill a weekend.
Pintastic New England is the premier pinball event for the Northeast, and 2026 marks its return as a Stern Pro Circuit stop. Over 300 machines, tournaments for all skill levels, vendors, and guest speakers. If you're anywhere in the New England area, this one's worth the drive to Marlborough.
PinBrew Fest offers exactly what the name promises: pinball and craft beer under one roof. All games are on free play, the beer is local, and the vibe is relaxed. Note: dates overlap with Pintastic, so you'll have to pick one.
Pinball at the Zoo is Michigan's premier pinball and game room show, and a 2026 Stern Pro Circuit event. The Kalamazoo location makes it accessible for players across the Midwest.
The Mid-Atlantic Pinball Open at the Delaware Pinball Collective just got a major upgrade for 2026: it's now part of the Stern Pro Circuit. This is one of the premiere annual pinball tournaments on the East Coast, featuring multiple IFPA-certified events across four days.
The Midwest Gaming Classic is a sprawling celebration of all things gaming—pinball, board games, arcades, and more. The 2026 edition moves to the Baird Center in Milwaukee. Expect tournaments, seminars, and enough gaming variety to keep you busy all weekend.
The Ann Arbor Pinball Showcase is billed as the largest pinball show in the world with over 500 working restored pinball and arcade machines. That's not hyperbole—it's genuinely massive.
PinFest is the Northeast's longest-running pinball show and a must-visit for anyone looking to buy, sell, or trade. The marketplace is legendary, and there are IFPA-certified tournaments for competitive players.
YEGPIN is Western Canada's biggest pinball event and a Certified+ Stern Pro Circuit stop. Four days of unlimited free play, competitive tournaments, and a solid vendor area for buying machines and parts.
The Golden State Pinball Festival brings hundreds of machines to Lodi, CA for a weekend of free play, vendors, tournaments, and charitable giving. The silent auction and machine giveaways are a nice touch.
WPPR Chopper is a newer tournament on the competitive circuit, taking place in Appleton, WI. Pre-registration opens January 18, 2026 for those looking to get in early.
Ontario PinFest remains the only pinball show in Ontario, Canada. Play over 100 machines on free play, shop vendors, attend seminars, and compete in tournaments.
The Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show is built by local volunteers and collectors who transform the Tacoma Convention Center into the largest arcade in the Northwest for one weekend. Over 400 machines on free play, guest speakers, tournaments, vendors, and a Kid's Zone.
Saratoga Silverball brings pinball to Upstate New York at the Wilton Mall in Saratoga Springs. Exact 2026 dates are TBD—check back for updates.
The IFPA21 World Pinball Championship brings 80 of the world's greatest players from over twenty countries to compete for the most prestigious title in competitive pinball. This is the pinnacle of the competitive pinball calendar.
California Extreme is the annual "Classic Arcade Games Show" celebrating coin-operated pinball, video games, and other novelties. Tournaments, guest speakers, and enough nostalgia to fill a weekend.
The BEAST returns to Buffalo as part of the Stern Pro Circuit. Four days of competition featuring main, classics, and women's tournaments at Pocketeer Billiards.
Southern-Fried Gaming Expo celebrates its 12th year in 2026, returning to its traditional late-July slot at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Pinball, classic arcades, panel sessions, tabletop gaming, vendors, and more. The whole family is welcome.
Pinburgh returns as part of the Stern Pro Circuit. Details on the 2026 edition are TBD—check back for updates on dates, location, and ticket availability.
TAZPIN returns for its 5th year in Tasmania, Australia. The show has grown into a proper destination event with 75+ machines in a larger venue.
The NW Pinball Championships feature some of the most intense competition on the West Coast. Two Certified+ IFPA events headline the weekend, plus a Women's event, High Stakes, and Sunday consolation knockout.
UKPinfest is the UK's major pinball event, drawing players from across Europe. Room booking opened September 2025, so accommodation may be limited. If you're planning a UK pinball trip, this is the one to build around.
The Cleveland Pinball and Arcade Show (aka CLEPIN) offers four days of unlimited free play on more than 100 pinball machines. The 24-hour arcade for hotel guests is a nice perk, and the IFPA-backed tournament draws competitive players from across the region.
The Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown brings competitive pinball to the Denver area. Exact 2026 dates are TBD—check back for updates.
Newcastle Pinfest is Australia's longest-running pinball event and one of the largest pinball gatherings in the country. Held annually in Newcastle, New South Wales, it attracts enthusiasts from across Australia and around the world. 2026 dates are TBD.
The White Rose Gameroom Show is a classic gaming enthusiast's dream. Pinball, video games, jukeboxes, slot machines, and more—all available to play throughout the day. Tournaments for kids and adults, plus vendors selling pinball and game room items.
Pin-A-Go-Go brings six decades of pinball machines to Dixon, California for a weekend of free play. The outdoor flea market and swap meet on Saturday is great for hunting down parts and memorabilia.
Pinball Expo remains the premier industry event for pinball enthusiasts, collectors, and professionals. Factory tours from Stern Pinball and Jersey Jack Pinball offer a behind-the-scenes look at how the games are made. Tournaments, vendors, seminars, and enough industry insiders to make meaningful connections.
The 24 Hour Final Battle at The Sanctum is a non-stop marathon tournament that's been running annually since 2014. It's always on Daylight Savings weekend in November and sells out all 100 spots immediately. Part of the Stern Pro Circuit, players compete in group matchplay rounds one after another for 24 straight hours. Not for the faint of heart.
Music City Multicon is returning in 2026 with gaming, anime, cosplay, and pop culture fun in Nashville. The event features over 100 arcade and pinball machines, video game consoles, tabletop gaming, and the largest pinball tournament in Tennessee. Exact dates and location for 2026 will be announced.
Houston Arcade Expo expands to three days for 2026, giving you more time to enjoy the classic and current coin-operated games on display. Tournaments, workshops, and opportunities to purchase games for your home collection.
Freeplay Florida features classic and modern pinball and arcade games available for attendees to play for free. Note: the venue has changed from Orlando—check the website for updated location details.
Pincinnati closes out the year with tournaments, free play, and a solid selection of machines available for purchase. A nice way to end the pinball calendar year.
Be sure to check out Tilt Forums, PinWiki, and Pinside for more community event coverage.
Want to add your event to this list? Drop us a line!
Colin is the chief pixel pusher at Kineticist. He's a lifetime gamer who became enamored with pinball after taking in a family copy of the 1979 classic Joker Poker (the EM version). Since then he's bought, sold and repaired many machines, competed in all kinds of tournaments, and contributes to This Week in Pinball, the New England Pinball League, and Pin-Masters of New England. Previously, Colin spent over a decade working in marketing for agencies and tech startups. He also started and ran a music blog, happy hour website, and wrote a regular craft beer review column for Central Track in Dallas. Once aspired to be an artsy film director.
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