The Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Frisco, Texas, played host to the highly anticipated Texas Pinball Festival (TPF) from February 20th to 22nd, 2026. This annual gathering, a cornerstone of the pinball community, once again drew enthusiasts, manufacturers, and collectors from across the nation and beyond for a weekend dedicated to the enduring allure of pinball. This year’s festival embraced a "dragon" theme, weaving mythical creatures into the event’s branding, merchandise, and even dedicated play areas, adding a unique and vibrant layer to the already electric atmosphere.

A Strategic Prelude: Travel and Industry Connections

The Pinball News team arrived in Texas early in the week, commencing their coverage with visits to key industry players. The journey began in Houston with a stop at Barrels of Fun, a prominent pinball manufacturer known for its innovative designs. Following this, the itinerary included a drive north to Round Rock to tour the factory of Multimorphic, a company at the forefront of modern pinball technology. These pre-show engagements provided valuable insights into the industry’s trajectory and set the stage for the comprehensive coverage of the festival itself. The anticipation for the event was amplified by the favorable weather forecast, with temperatures expected to soar to around 37°C (98.6°F) for the show weekend, promising a typically warm Texas welcome.

Pre-Show Preparations: Setting the Stage

Wednesday marked the official start of setup activities in Frisco, even though the festival was not yet open to the public. The main exhibition hall at the Convention Center began to take shape as machines and vendor booths were meticulously arranged. Paul McKinney, the organizer of the Texas Pinball Festival, was reportedly implementing numerous enhancements across all facets of the event, from the layout of the show floor to the scheduling of activities. These changes, detailed in the February Pinball Industry News PINcast, aimed to elevate the attendee experience and further solidify TPF’s reputation as a premier pinball event.

A significant new addition to this year’s festival was "TechDay," a dedicated event held throughout Wednesday. This initiative allowed pinball machine owners to bring their beloved games to the venue for on-site diagnosis and repair by experienced technicians. Crucially, owners were actively involved in the repair process, gaining valuable knowledge in fault-finding and remedial techniques, fostering a sense of community and skill-sharing within the hobby. The ticket price for TechDay was set at $80, with replacement components available at a discounted rate, making it an accessible and beneficial service for many attendees.

The Festival Unfolds: Thursday’s Excitement

By Thursday morning, the main show hall was visibly transforming into a pinball paradise. The arrival of additional machines and booth furnishings, coupled with the prominent display of festival banners, signaled the imminent opening of the event. Key industry representatives, including FUN! (showcasing the latest Stern Pinball machines), Jersey Jack Pinball, and Pinball Traders, were actively setting up their exhibits, preparing to present their diverse portfolios to a discerning audience. Warped Pinball was also present, ready to demonstrate their innovative connected system, highlighting the growing integration of technology within the pinball experience. The constant activity at the loading docks, with exhibitors efficiently unloading their displays, underscored the scale and meticulous planning involved in bringing such a large-scale event to fruition.

The festival’s layout was clearly communicated to attendees via floor plans displayed prominently near the entrance, guiding both vendors and machine owners to their designated areas. Beyond the main exhibition hall, the corridors also played host to numerous machines and vendor stands, extending the playable and browsable areas of the event. This strategic use of space ensured that every corner of the venue offered something to engage pinball enthusiasts.

Upstairs in the Convention Center, the dedicated tournaments area was also being prepared. This space, often featuring displays of previous years’ winners outside the room, was where the competitive spirit of the festival would truly come alive. The presence of trophies for events like the "Texas Wizards" tournament hinted at the high stakes and prestigious nature of the competitions.

Thursday evening saw the commencement of several key tournaments. The "Scrutinizers Tournament," held in the upstairs Tournament Room, served as a crucial warm-up event, allowing participants to test the machines designated for the main tournaments and iron out any technical glitches. Garrett Shahan emerged victorious in this preliminary competition, with Randy Nelson, Jack Revnew, and Austin Trent securing the second, third, and fourth positions, respectively.

Simultaneously, on the main show floor, the "Media Mavens Tournament" brought together seventeen prominent media creators in a unique format. Players accumulated strikes, with the lowest two scorers in each game receiving a strike. Amassing two strikes resulted in elimination. The competitive play culminated with Clark McCoy taking first place, followed by Neil McRae in second, and Jamie Burchell in third, showcasing the media’s engaging role within the pinball community.

The Grand Opening: Friday’s Festivities

Friday marked the official public opening of the Texas Pinball Festival at 4:00 PM. However, the day’s activities commenced earlier, with tournaments and seminars beginning at noon. The corridors and main hall continued to buzz with activity as final touches were applied to stands and machines. Chris Munson was observed setting up his LeGrand PinCabs stand in the lobby area, while the corridors gradually filled with vendor displays and an impressive array of free-play machines, creating a vibrant and accessible environment for all attendees.

A focal point for many visitors was the display of the grand prize for the show’s raffle: a brand-new Harry Potter Arcade Edition pinball machine from Jersey Jack Pinball. This highly sought-after machine became an instant attraction, with attendees eager to get a closer look and perhaps imagine it as their own.

The anticipation surrounding the "dragon" theme was palpable, particularly with the unveiling of an animatronic dragon sculpture. This impressive piece of art quickly became a popular spot for selfies and videos, perfectly embodying the festival’s thematic choice and adding a unique visual spectacle.

The seminar schedule on Friday offered a diverse range of topics for enthusiasts. Brian Haskell kicked off the sessions with a presentation on creating custom leaderboards and displays using affordable technology, demonstrating the accessibility of modern tech for personalizing the pinball experience. Following this, Eugene Mosh and Matthew Talley continued their popular educational series, providing advanced troubleshooting tips for pinball machine owners and restorers, a testament to the festival’s commitment to education and skill development.

Upstairs, the "Texas Wizards" tournament began its qualifying rounds after an hour of free practice. The presence of previous years’ winners’ names displayed outside the tournament room served as a reminder of the skill and dedication involved in competitive pinball.

As the doors opened to the public, the Jui Long Lion/Dragon Dance Troupe delivered a captivating performance, officially heralding the start of the public access hours and harmonizing with the festival’s dragon motif. The TPF merchandise desk also opened, offering branded apparel and accessories, allowing attendees to take home a piece of the festival experience.

The day’s events concluded with three more seminars. Jersey Jack Pinball’s presentation featured Jack Guarnieri, Eric Meunier, and Dan Lachcik, who delved into the creation of their Harry Potter pinball machine, offering insights into the game’s intricate design and mechanical challenges. Barrels of Fun’s David van Es and Brian Savage shared the company’s growth journey and discussed their popular titles, including the highly anticipated Winchester Mystery House. Finally, the Multimorphic seminar provided an in-depth look at the P³ pinball platform, featuring a panel of industry professionals discussing their experiences and the platform’s unique features. The evening’s atmosphere was further enhanced by the Scoma Jazz Band, providing live music in the lobby area, creating a relaxed and enjoyable ambiance for attendees enjoying refreshments from the nearby food stands.

Saturday’s Activities: A Deep Dive into the Hobby

Saturday began with the traditional early-morning "Swap Meet" in the parking lot, organized by the DFW Pinball & Arcade Club. Pushing the official start time forward to 7 AM, the event saw vendors and buyers converging as early as 6 AM, eager to find the best deals on parts, accessories, and even complete machines. The presence of early-morning shoppers illuminated by parking lot lights painted a vivid picture of the dedication within the pinball community. The Swap Meet offered a treasure trove of items, from manuals and translites to board sets and entire pinball machines, catering to every aspect of the hobbyist’s needs.

Back inside, the seminar schedule was packed. American Pinball’s presentation, "Something New," featured owner Bryan Vincent introducing the company’s new team and outlining production plans for original designs and their series of "reimagined" Williams/Bally titles. The first of these reimagined titles, Cirqus Voltaire, was announced, offering both a modernized remake and a reimagined version with updated artwork, sculpts, rules, and audio-visual elements.

The seminar "Owning Your First Pinball Machine" by Imoto Harney of Marco Specialties and Craig Hassell from Fun! Superstore provided essential guidance for new owners, covering crucial checks and maintenance for both new and pre-owned machines. This educational focus is a hallmark of TPF, empowering attendees with practical knowledge.

The "Ask Us Anything!" pinball tech Q&A panel offered a live problem-solving session, inviting audience members to present their technical challenges to a panel of experts. This interactive format fostered direct engagement and provided valuable diagnostic and repair advice. Brad Oldham of Evolution Mods presented "How to Easily Add Interactive Light Shows, Servo Motors, Coils and More to Your Pinball Machine with the Pinnunciator," showcasing the capabilities of his company’s system for enhancing pinball machines with custom effects.

The "Making Pinball, Making Friends" seminar, hosted by Aaron Davis, co-founder of FAST Pinball, highlighted the burgeoning homebrew community. Davis invited numerous homebrew game creators to the stage to discuss their creations, celebrating the innovation and passion driving this segment of the hobby. The Texas Pinball Festival’s commitment to showcasing homebrew talent was evident in the dedicated area featuring these unique machines.

A tutorial on "Walkthrough Game Play on Pokémon" featured Tanio Klyce, Jack Danger, and Steve Bowden, offering tips and strategies for achieving high scores on Stern Pinball’s latest release. The "Autograph Session" provided a valuable opportunity for fans to connect with industry legends, including Steve Ritchie, Jack Guarnieri, Brad Albright, Dennis Nordman, Eric Meunier, Christopher Franchi, Jack Danger, Tanio Klyce, George Gomez, Mike Vinikour, and others, who signed memorabilia and engaged with attendees.

The "So You Think You Know Pinball?" trivia quiz, hosted by Martin Ayub (Pinball News) and Jonathan Joosten (Pinball Magazine), tested the knowledge of the audience with a fun, interactive format that included numerous prize giveaways generously sponsored by various pinball manufacturers and vendors. Todd Tuckey’s "Fireside Chat" offered a retrospective on his extensive career in the coin-op industry and his work with TNT Amusements, illustrated with extensive video content from his popular YouTube channel. The musical interlude before the final seminar featured a lively performance by Pinball Rod and The Extra Balls, adding to the festive atmosphere. The day concluded with the Stern Pinball presentation, featuring George Gomez, Jack Danger, Tanio Klyce, and Jerry Thompson discussing the development of the new Pokémon pinball machine, covering everything from initial concepts to sound design and licensing.

Sunday’s Grand Finale: Awards and Raffles

Sunday focused on the culmination of the event’s tournaments and the highly anticipated closing ceremony. The "Texas Takedown," a women’s pinball tournament, saw 72 competitors vying for top honors. Emily Cosson emerged as the clear winner, achieving a perfect score and demonstrating exceptional skill throughout the competition. Dawnda Durbin secured second place, with Ariel Dutton taking third, and Rebecca Salam finishing fourth.

In the main "Texas Wizards" tournament, the final round featured Jack Revnew, Tim Hansen, Nick Mueller, and Steve Bowden. After a closely contested series of games on Spider-Man, King Kong: Myth of Terror Island, and Panthera, Jack Revnew clinched the overall victory, showcasing remarkable consistency and skill across all machines.

The closing ceremony commenced at 2:00 PM, drawing a large crowd eager to discover the winners of the "Best in Show" awards and the grand raffle prize. The "Best in Show" awards, judged by a distinguished committee, recognized excellence across various categories, including Best Antique, Best 1960s, Best Electromechanical, Best Solid State, Best DMD, Best Modern, Best Original, Best Newcomer, Best Restoration, Best Custom (Homebrew), and Best Classic Arcade. The Grand Champion award for Best in Show was presented to Peter Batterton for his meticulously restored Tales of the Arabian Nights.

The raffle for the grand prize, a Harry Potter Arcade Edition pinball machine from Jersey Jack Pinball, generated significant excitement. The winning ticket was drawn by Eric Meunier, the game’s designer. While the initial winner, Chris Engberg, was momentarily absent, American Pinball owner Bryan Vincent graciously awarded a second Houdini 100th Anniversary machine to Chris when he arrived, adding an extra layer of generosity to the proceedings. The main raffle prize was ultimately won by Adam Breakey, who took home the highly coveted Harry Potter machine valued at $9,995.

Post-Event Reflections and Future Outlook

The 2026 Texas Pinball Festival proved to be another resounding success, building upon its established reputation while introducing new elements and enhancements. The inclusion of "TechDay" on Wednesday was particularly well-received, indicating a strong demand for educational and hands-on technical support within the community. The festival’s five-day duration, including pre-show events like TechDay and tournaments, highlights its growing scope and appeal.

The "dragon" theme added a unique visual flair, and the various entertainment options, including live music performances in the lobby, contributed to a vibrant and engaging atmosphere. The presence of new and notable pinball titles, such as Stern Pinball’s Pokémon and Turner Pinball’s Yukon Yeti, along with impressive displays from manufacturers like American Pinball and Jersey Jack Pinball, ensured that the festival remained at the forefront of industry showcases.

The festival’s consistent support from the local community, combined with a growing international attendance and strong industry participation, underscores its importance as a major event in the pinball calendar. The expanding homebrew section, bolstered by support from Marco Specialties and FAST Pinball, reflects the increasing accessibility and popularity of creating custom pinball machines.

Looking ahead, the Texas Pinball Festival is already slated to return to the Embassy Suites Frisco Hotel & Conference Center from March 19th to 21st, 2027, with attendees encouraged to arrive early, anticipating a similarly packed schedule of activities. The continued growth and evolution of the Texas Pinball Festival demonstrate its enduring relevance and its vital role in fostering and celebrating pinball culture. The next Pinball Industry News PINcast, scheduled for early April, promises further discussion and analysis of the festival’s highlights and the industry’s broader trends.