Sportmatic

Sportmatic was a Spanish pinball manufacturer founded in Barcelona in the early 1980s by a team of coin-operated machine entrepreneurs seeking to capitalize on the burgeoning arcade entertainment market. Though comparatively modest in scale, the company became a notable part of Spain’s active pinball scene at the time, when several domestic firms were developing and exporting solid-state pinball machines. Sportmatic’s early success was driven in part by the rapid growth of arcades throughout Europe and the company’s ability to produce machines with eye-catching themes and creative gameplay features.

​

Among Sportmatic’s most recognized releases were “Eagle” (1983), “Cerberus” (1986), and “Monster” (1987), each showcasing distinctive artwork and thematic elements that helped the games stand out in a crowded market. Despite a dedicated following, the company ultimately faced increasing competition from larger, more established pinball manufacturers and the shift in public interest toward video games. By the late 1980s, these economic and industry pressures led to Sportmatic’s closure. Today, its pinball machines are regarded by collectors and historians as representative of Spain’s dynamic contribution to the global pinball industry, reflecting both the creativity and challenges of independent manufacturing during that era.