The Ultimate Guide to Pinball Shows & Tournaments in 2024

The Ultimate Guide to Pinball Shows & Tournaments in 2024
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The Ultimate Guide to Pinball Shows & Tournaments in 2024
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The Ultimate Guide to Pinball Shows & Tournaments in 2024
Published on
January 8, 2023
Updated on
May 7, 2024
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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.

Major Pinball Shows, Tournaments and Events in 2024, Organized by Month

January 2024

INDISC aka It Never Drains in Southern California

INDISC is hosting a bonanza of competitive pinball play over the course of four full days, and everyone is invited to join in the fun. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to test their pinball prowess in a series of tournaments, including the highly-coveted Open IFPA World Championship. Don't miss out on this opportunity to show off your flipper skills and compete with the best of the best.

  • Location: Riverside Convention Center, Riverside, CA
  • Dates: January 4-8, 2024
  • Type: Tournament
  • Streaming: Twitch @ iepinball

February 2024

District 82 Winter 3X

The District 82 Winter 3X is a Pinburgh-inspired pinball tournament that will take place over three action-packed days. The tournament takes place at District 82 Pinball in DePere, WI, and will be live-streamed on Twitch @ FoxCitiesPinball.

March 2024

Emerald City Cup

The Emerald City Cup is back for it's 8th edition, this time as a Stern Pro Circuit event. The event will be held across multiple days, qualifiers will run starting Friday March 1st until Sunday 3rd. Players will compete by playing on 6 machines, with their top 2 scores per machines counting. Top 32 players at the end of the qualifiers will face off in a group matchplay finals, starting at 4:15 PM sharp. 4 players per group, 3 games per round, score 4/2/10, top 2 players at the end of the round moves on. The players will have choices of a bank of 3 games (Mixed era bank).

  • Location: The Ice Box, 615 NW Bright St. Seattle, WA
  • Dates: March 1-3, 2024
  • Type: Tournament

IFPA Pin-Masters

Get ready for the IFPA Pin-Masters, a pinball tradition unlike any other. Hosted by the IFPA and District 82 in De Pere, Wisconsin, this event is open to anyone who wants to register and play. It's also a Stern Pro Circuit Event, so you'll be competing with some of the best players around.

The main event is an 18-hole Pin-Golf course, where the goal is to reach a target score in the fewest number of balls. You'll play 9 holes on Friday and 9 holes on Saturday, and the top 24 players with the lowest number of strokes will advance to the playoffs.

But that's not all: they've also got a 3-strike classics knockout for all Pin-Golf participants on Friday night after the PM Qualifying. Don't miss out on this opportunity to test your pinball skills and compete with the best of the best.

Texas Pinball Festival (TPF)

Get ready for the Texas Pinball Festival (TPF), an event that's not to be missed. The 2024 TPF will be held the weekend of March 15-17, 2024, at the Embassy Suites Dallas - Frisco Hotel and Conference Center in Frisco. TPF will feature tournaments, free-play games, special guests, and more. In 2023 we saw a whole slew of manufacturers announce new games at this show, will the same hold true for 2024?

  • Location: Embassy Suites Dallas – Frisco Hotel and Convention Center, Frisco, TX
  • Dates: March 15-17, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

Kristiansand Pinball Open

Get ready for the Kristiansand Pinball Open, one of the biggest pinball events in Norway. This ambitious tournament is being organized by the Kristiansand Arkade & Flipperspill Forening, a relative newcomer on the pinball scene. But with passion and help from the entire pinball community, they're planning to set up 40-50 machines in the main area for four days of non-stop action.

  • Location: Clarion Hotel Ernst, Kristiansand, Norway
  • Dates: March 21-24, 2024
  • Type: Tournament

Louisville Arcade Expo

The Louisville Arcade Expo will be in its 13th year of operations and features pinball, retro games, cosplay contests, tournaments, and much more.

  • Location: Triple Crown Pavilion, 1776 Plantside Drive, Jeffersontown, KY 40299
  • Dates: March 29-31 2024
  • Type: Event

April 2024

PinBrew Fest

PinBrew Fest is a unique combination of craft beer and pinball. This event features all the best pinball machines, from the newest releases to classic games you may have played as a kid. And the best part? All games are on free play, so you can enjoy as much pinball as you like.

But PinBrew Fest isn't just about pinball: it's also a celebration of craft beer, with some of the finest brews in Ohio on offer. Plus, there will be vendors, food, arcades, and more. It's the ultimate destination for pinball and craft beer enthusiasts alike.

  • Location: Metroplex Expo Center, Girard, OH
  • Dates: April 4-6, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

Midwest Gaming Classic (MGC)

The Midwest Gaming Classic is a large annual trade show and event celebrating all things gaming. From pinball to board games, arcades and more. Plus you'll find plenty of tournaments and seminars to keep you entertained for the whole weekend.

  • Location: The Wisconsin Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI
  • Dates: April 5-7, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

Pintastic New England

pintastic new england logo

Pintastic New England is the ultimate destination for New England area pinball enthusiasts, offering a wide range of activities for players of all skill levels. From casual play to competitive tournaments, this expo has something for everyone. Pintastic New England features a variety of classic and modern pinball machines, as well as a selection of other arcade games. Additionally, the event includes vendors and guest speakers who will provide insights into the world of pinball and game room design.

  • Location: Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlborough, MA
  • Dates: April 11-14, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

Great Lakes Pinball Open

The Great Lakes Pinball Open, is another large scale District-82 tournament series taking place in DePere, WI in April of 2024.

Pinball at the Zoo

Pinball at the Zoo is billed as Michigan's premier pinball and game room show.

  • Location: Kalamazoo County Expo Center, Kalamazoo, MI
  • Dates: April 18-20, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

May 2024

PinFest (aka "the Allentown Show")

PinFest is an annual premier pinball show and festival in Allentown, PA. Known for its active marketplace of used machines and parts, PinFest is the place to be for pinball enthusiasts of all kinds. And for competitive players, there are also IFPA-certified tournaments.

  • Location: The Allentown Fair Grounds, Allentown, PA
  • Dates: May 3-4, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Convention

Ann Arbor Pinball Showcase

The Ann Arbor VFW Pinball Show is billed as the largest pinball show in the world with over 500+ working restored pinball and arcade machines for attendees to enjoy.

  • Location: Ann Arbor, MI
  • Dates: May 4-5, 2024
  • Type: Show, Event

Golden State Pinball Festival

The fun for pinball fans never stops at the Golden State Pinball Festival with events planned all weekend to occupy your time between games. With either a day pass or weekend pass, you will have access to 100’s of pinball machines set to free play. Browse their lineup of game vendors for parts, memorabilia, and even new machines. Enjoy a bite to eat along with a locally brewed beverage. Browse the silent auction offerings or enter to win a free pinball machine.

  • Location: Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, Lodi, CA
  • Dates: May 17-19, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show/Convention

June 2024

IFPA 19

The IFPA 19 World Pinball Championship is one of the most prestigious events in competitive pinball. Scheduled for June 7-9, 2024 at Jim Belsito’s in Murietta, CA.

  • Location: Jim Belsito's place?
  • Dates: June 7-9, 2024
  • Type: Tournament

Northwest Pinball & Arcade Show

At the Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show, local volunteers and collectors build the largest arcade in the Northwest for one weekend a year. This event features over 400 pinball and arcade machines on freeplay, as well as guest speakers, tournaments, world record attempts, vendors, a Kid's Zone and kid's tournaments, game-related merchandise, and the chance to enter a drawing to win your own pinball or arcade game every day of the show.

  • Location: Greater Tacoma Convention Center, Tacoma, WA
  • Dates: June 7-9, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

YEGPIN Pinball and Arcade Expo

Don't miss out on the YEGPIN Pinball and Arcade Expo, taking place June 20-23, 2024 at Millenium Place in Sherwood Park, AB, Canada. This is a great event for those interested in playing unlimited pinball and non pinball arcade games on the free play floor, buying machines and parts, or playing in competitive pinball tournaments.

YEGPIN offers a chance to relive your younger days with classic pinball and video arcade games from your childhood, as well as the latest and greatest pinball games. The state-of-the-art location can hold over 225 pinball machines, 50 classic video games, and other game room goodies that will be set up on free play for everyone to enjoy the entire weekend.

In addition, YEGPIN will host four certified IFPA (International Flipper Pinball Association) backed pinball tournaments, where players can earn WPPR (World Pinball Player Rankings) points. These tournaments are open to novice and advanced players alike, and offer customized trophies and cash prizes to the winners.

  • Location: Millenium Place, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
  • Dates: June 20-23, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

D82 Triple Flip Open

Over two action-packed days, experience a competition featuring three prize-winning tournaments and a certified Classics Main Event.

Titan Pinball SW Regional Pin Masters

Free Play Arcade in Arlington, Texas, is excited to host the Titan Pinball 2024 Southwest Regional Pin-Masters IFPA Pinball Golf Event on June 29-30. Sponsored by Titan Pinball, the event boasts a generous prize pool and serves as a qualifier for the 2025 IFPA Pin-Masters World Championship. Designed for players of all skill levels, the tournament features A and B divisions with cash rewards in both categories.

Saratoga Silverball

Saratoga Silverball is a pinball extravaganza in Upstate New York, where attendees can enjoy a variety of games on free play.

  • Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
  • Dates: June 21-22nd, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show

July 2024

Southern-Fried Gaming Expo

Step into the world of gaming at the Southern-Fried Gaming Expo in Atlanta. Expect pinball machines, classic arcade games, and more. But it's not just about the games - there are also exciting panel sessions, vendors, and special guest speakers to keep you entertained. And with a massive tabletop library, RPG sessions, and tournaments, there's something for every type of gamer. Plus, the whole family is invited to join in on the fun. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind gaming event!

  • Location: Marriott Renaissance Waverly, Atlanta, GA
  • Dates: July 19-21, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Event, Show

Pinburgh 2024

The greatest pinball tournament in the world is back after a 5-year absence. Pinburgh will once again take place in Bridgeville, PA, this time at Rezzanine Esports. Only 120 tickets will be made available this go-around, however.

  • Location: Rezzanine Esports, Bridgeville, PA
  • Dates: July 25-27, 2024
  • Type: Tournament

California Extreme

California Extreme is the annual "Classic Arcade Games Show" celebrating coin-operated pinball machines, video games, and other novelties once found in game arcades. California Extreme also has tournaments, guest speakers, and more.

  • Location: Hyatt Regency, Santa Clara, CA
  • Dates: July 27-28, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

Saratoga Pinball & Arcade Show (NO SHOW IN 2024, PLANS TO RETURN IN 2025)

Experience the thrill of classic arcade and pinball games at the Saratoga Pinball & Arcade Show! This event, held at the Saratoga Regional YMCA in Saratoga Springs, NY, will feature over 50 games available for free play, so you can try out as many as you'd like.

If you bring your own game in good working order, you'll even get free entry into the show. In addition to free play, there will be a beginner-friendly pinball tournament on Saturday, as well as indoor vendor and flea market spaces with pinball and arcade parts, items, and project games. Many game owners will also have their games available for purchase, so be sure to check out the game information cards on each game for more details.

  • Location: Saratoga Regional YMCA, Saratoga Springs, NY
  • Dates: NO SHOW IN 2024, PLANS TO RETURN IN 2025
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

August 2024

September 2024

NW Pinball Championships

The NW Pinball Championships are returning for another year of intense competition in Lynnwood, WA. Players from all over will converge to test their skills and compete in 5 different IFPA events. The tournament features 2 Certified+ IFPA events, a Women's event, High Stakes, and a Sunday consolation knockout.

  • Location: Lynnwood, WA
  • Dates: September 6-8, 2024
  • Type: Tournament

CLEPIN - Cleveland Pinball & Arcade Show

The Cleveland Pinball and Arcade Show (aka Cle-Pin) is an annual celebration of all things pinball and classic gaming. Taking place at the Holiday Inn Cleveland South in Independence, OH, the show offers four days of unlimited free play on more than 100 pinball machines and 30+ classic arcade games. The show also features guest speakers from top pinball manufacturers, a 24-hour arcade for hotel guests, a flea market, and an IFPA-backed tournament for competitive players.

  • Location: Holiday Inn Cleveland South, Independence, OH
  • Dates: September 12-15th
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

October 2024

White Rose Gameroom Show (aka "the York Show")

The White Rose Gameroom Show is the ultimate destination for classic gaming enthusiasts! With an admission fee that allows you to play games all day, it's the perfect place to enjoy your favorite pinball machines, video games, jukeboxes, slot machines, and more. Plus, there are lots of door prizes up for grabs and opportunities to buy pinball and game room items. For those interested in competition, there are tournaments for both kids and adults. And to keep you fueled up, there will be refreshments available throughout the event.

  • Location: York Fairgrounds and Expo Center, York, PA
  • Dates: October 11th-12th, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

Houston Arcade Expo

Houston Arcade Expo is a must-attend event for all gaming enthusiasts. The expo brings together some of the best classic and current coin-operated pinball machines, video arcade games, penny arcades, and console video games under one roof.

Visitors can enjoy free play on all of the games or even purchase them for their own home game room. The expo also features tournaments, workshops, music, and events to keep attendees entertained throughout the weekend. Don't miss out on this fun-filled event in Houston, Texas on November 10-12, 2023.

  • Location: Houston Marriott Westchase, Houston, TX
  • Dates: October 11-13, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

Pin-A-Go-Go

Get ready for a weekend of retro fun at the annual Pin-A-Go-Go event in Dixon, California! With over six decades of pinball machines available for free play, attendees will have the chance to try out a wide range of machines from different eras.

Plus, there will be plenty of opportunities to shop for pinball parts, memorabilia, and games at the outdoor flea market and swap meet on Saturday. Don't forget to grab a bite to eat at the food service area, and take advantage of the RV parking on the premises.

  • Location: Dixon California Fairgrounds, Dixon, CA
  • Dates: October 11-13th, 2024
  • Type: Show

Pinball Expo

Pinball Expo is the premier event for pinball enthusiasts, industry professionals, and collectors. Taking place at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Illinois from October 15-19, 2024, this annual event features a wide range of activities for attendees to enjoy. From tournaments and factory tours to vendors and coin-op arcade games, there is something for everyone at Pinball Expo. The event also offers the opportunity to meet industry professionals and get a behind-the-scenes look at the heart of the pinball industry with factory tours from Jersey Jack Pinball and Stern Pinball. This year Pinball Expo celebrates their 40th year, and appear to be pulling out all the stops!

  • Location: Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, Wheeling, IL
  • Dates: October 15-19, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

November 2024

Castle Siege for Extra Life 2024

Castle Siege for Extra Life 2024 is the second edition of this large charity tournament held at Another Castle: Arcade Edition in Edmonds, WA. Last year, this tournament had 76 participants, raised over $3,300 for charity, and was worth just shy of 100 IFPA points. All buy ins, rebuys, and quarter drops during qualifying will all go directly to the Extra Life charity.

It is a best game format where the single best result on up to 14 machines will count towards a player’s standings, the top 24 players will move on to the finals, with the top 8 receiving a bye in the first round. Buy in is $10 and you get 15 plays with the buy in. Rebuys can be purchased at $5 for 5 plays, with no limit to the number of rebuys.

Music City Multicon

Music City Multicon is a gaming, comics, and pop culture convention taking place in Nashville, Tennessee from November 8-10, 2024. This three day event at the Farm Bureau Expo Center will feature over 100 arcade and pinball machines, over 100 video game consoles, and the largest pinball tournament in the state. There will also be tabletop gaming, a cosplay competition with cash prizes, and a kids costume contest. Special guests will be running presentations and panels throughout the event, and there will be a large vendor room selling games, toys, and other geeky items. Food vendors will also be on site.

  • Location: Farm Bureau Expo Center, 945 E Baddour Pkwy, Lebanon, TN 37087
  • Dates: November 8-10, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

Freeplay Florida

Join in on the fun at Freeplay Florida, featuring classic and modern pinball and arcade games available for attendees to play for free. Don't miss out on the chance to participate in the pinball tournament, listen to speaker panels with gaming industry icons, and browse and shop from a selection of vendors selling gaming machine parts, memorabilia, and themed art.

  • Location: Orlando, FL
  • Dates: November 22-24, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show, Event

24 Hour Final Battle at The Sanctum

The 24 Hour Final Battle at the Sanctum is an annual event that is not to be missed by competitive pinball players. This tournament is part of the Stern Pro Circuit and is always a sell-out event. With a non-stop marathon format, players compete in group matchplay rounds one after another until the end of the 24 hour period. Located at The Sanctum in Meridian, CT, this tournament is sure to provide intense and exciting competition for all attendees. Typically held the first weekend in November.

  • Location: The Sanctum, Meridian, CT
  • Dates: November TBD
  • Type: Tournament, Stern Pro-Circuit

December 2024

Pincinnati - The Greater Cincinnati Pinball Show

Pinball enthusiasts, mark your calendars for Pincinnati! This annual event, held at the Holiday Inn Eastgate in Cincinnati, OH, offers plenty of excitement for pinball lovers of all ages. Typically held in December, attendees can participate in popular pinball tournaments, enjoy games set to free play, and even purchase their favorite machines. With a wide range of machines from the 70's to the present, there's something for everyone at Pincinnati.

  • Location: Holiday Inn Eastgate, Cincinnati, OH
  • Dates: December 6-8, 2024
  • Type: Tournament, Show
  • Live stream: Twitch @ SDTMpinball

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!