The Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Frisco, Texas, located at 7600 John Q Hammons Drive, once again played host to the highly anticipated Texas Pinball Festival (TPF) from February 20th to 22nd, 2026. This annual gathering, a cornerstone event for pinball enthusiasts across the nation, transformed the venue into a vibrant hub of flashing lights, clattering flippers, and passionate community interaction. This year’s festival, under the banner of a captivating "dragon" theme, underscored significant growth and innovation, from expanded pre-show activities to a meticulously curated lineup of seminars and tournaments, solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for all things pinball.

A Multi-Day Immersion into Pinball

The festivities commenced on Monday, February 16th, with early attendees making their way to Texas. This initial phase saw industry figures and dedicated enthusiasts visiting key manufacturers. The journey included a stop at Barrels of Fun in Houston, a visit to the Round Rock factory of Multimorphic, and culminating in Frisco by Wednesday, February 18th, two days before the official public opening. This early arrival allowed for a comprehensive pre-show setup and engagement with the burgeoning pinball scene in Texas. The weather forecast predicted a significant warm-up for the show weekend, with temperatures expected to reach a high of approximately 37°C (98.6°F), a characteristic Texan embrace of warmth that would accompany the pinball action.

Wednesday: The Dawn of Setup and Innovation

Wednesday marked the beginning of the physical setup within the main exhibition hall. While the public opening was still two days away, the energy was palpable as exhibitors began to arrange their displays and machines. Paul McKinney, the driving force behind the Texas Pinball Festival, had implemented numerous enhancements across all facets of the event. These changes, ranging from the strategic floor layout to a refined schedule of activities, were detailed in the February edition of the Pinball Industry News PINcast, highlighting McKinney’s commitment to evolving the festival experience.

A significant innovation for this year’s TPF was the introduction of "TechDay," held throughout Wednesday. This unique initiative provided a dedicated space for machine owners to bring their pinball units for expert diagnosis and repair. The process involved owners working alongside qualified technicians, offering a valuable educational opportunity to learn fault-finding and repair techniques firsthand. The $80 ticket for TechDay also included discounted rates on replacement components, making it an attractive proposition for those seeking to maintain or restore their prized machines.

Thursday: The Hall Takes Shape and Early Competitions Begin

By Thursday morning, the main show hall was visibly transforming into the spectacle attendees would soon experience. More machines and exhibition furniture arrived, and the thematic "dragon" banners were hoisted, setting the stage for the weekend. Major industry players, including FUN! showcasing the latest Stern Pinball machines, Jersey Jack Pinball with their diverse range of titles, and Pinball Traders with their specialized offerings, were actively setting up their stands. Warped Pinball was also present, preparing to demonstrate their innovative connected system. The constant flow of vehicles at the loading docks underscored the logistical efforts involved in bringing such a large-scale event to fruition.

The show’s spatial organization was clearly displayed near the entrance, guiding exhibitors and attendees to their designated areas. Beyond the main hall, the corridors also buzzed with activity, hosting additional vendor stands and free-play machines, maximizing the use of the venue’s space.

Upstairs, the dedicated Tournament Room was being prepared for the weekend’s competitive events. The display of previous years’ winners outside the room served as a testament to the festival’s long-standing commitment to competitive play. The room itself was set to host a series of tournaments, overseen by Tournament Directors Elizabeth Dronet, Kevin Stone, Louis Marx, and Ken Kemp.

Thursday evening saw the commencement of the first official tournaments. The "Scrutinizers Tournament," held in the Tournament Room, served as a crucial warm-up for the main events, allowing for final checks of the machines. Garrett Shahan emerged victorious, with Randy Nelson, Jack Revnew, and Austin Trent securing second, third, and fourth places, respectively. Meanwhile, on the main show floor, the "Media Mavens Tournament" brought together seventeen media creators in a unique elimination format. Clark McCoy claimed first place, Neil McRae took second, and Jamie Burchell secured third.

Friday: Public Opening and Thematic Flourishes

Friday marked the official public opening of the Texas Pinball Festival at 4 PM. However, the day’s activities commenced earlier at midday with the start of tournaments and seminars. The thematic "dragon" motif was evident across various aspects of the show, from the event logo and merchandise to specialized sections featuring dragon-themed pinballs and decorative dragon sculptures strategically placed around the venue. This pervasive theme added a unique and engaging layer to the overall festival experience.

The new "Seminars Room," located off the main hall, provided a more intimate setting for presentations. The day’s seminar schedule kicked off at noon with Brian Haskell’s "More Than Just Leaderboards" session, demonstrating how to create custom pinball displays using affordable technology. This was followed by Eugene Mosh and Matthew Talley’s advanced "How to Troubleshoot your Pinball Machine" class, continuing their popular educational series for game owners and restorers.

The Texas Wizards tournament commenced upstairs in the Tournament Room, with early qualifying groups beginning their play after an hour of free practice. Simultaneously, the main hall was abuzz with the unveiling of the grand prize for the raffle: a Harry Potter Arcade Edition pinball machine from Jersey Jack Pinball. The much-anticipated animatronic dragon, hinted at by earlier setup photos, was also revealed, quickly becoming a focal point for attendees eager to capture photos and videos.

The day’s seminar schedule concluded with three evening sessions. Jersey Jack Pinball’s presentation featured Jack Guarnieri, Eric Meunier, and Dan Lachcik discussing the creation of their Harry Potter pinball. Barrels of Fun’s session saw David van Es and Brian Savage detailing their company’s growth and upcoming releases. The final seminar of the day featured the Multimorphic team, discussing the P3 pinball platform and its features. The evening was further enhanced by the Scoma Jazz Band performing in the lobby, creating a relaxed ambiance for attendees enjoying refreshments from the on-site food trucks.

Saturday: A Swap Meet and Deep Dives into Pinball’s Past and Future

Saturday began at an early hour with the highly popular Swap Meet, organized by the DFW Pinball & Arcade Club. Pushed forward to a 7 AM official start, the event saw vendors and eager buyers congregating even earlier, illuminated by the pre-dawn light. This bustling marketplace offered a treasure trove of pinball parts, manuals, translites, and even complete machines, attracting collectors and restoration enthusiasts alike.

The seminar schedule on Saturday was equally packed. American Pinball kicked off the day with "Something New," featuring owner Bryan Vincent and his team discussing production plans for original designs and their upcoming series of "reimagined" Williams/Bally titles, beginning with Cirqus Voltaire. The seminar revealed plans for two models of the reimagined game, one a modernized remake and the other featuring updated artwork, sculpts, rules, animations, and sound.

Following American Pinball, Imoto Harney of Marco Specialties and Craig Hassell from Fun! Superstore presented "Owning your First Pinball Machine," offering essential tips for new owners on checking and maintaining their machines. The technical focus continued with a "Pinball Tech Q&A" panel, inviting audience members to pose their repair and troubleshooting questions to a group of seasoned experts. Brad Oldham of Evolution Mods followed with a session on enhancing pinball machines with interactive light shows and servo motors using the Pinnunciator system.

The homebrew community took center stage with Aaron Davis, co-founder of FAST Pinball, hosting "Making Pinball, Making Friends." Davis invited numerous homebrew game creators to showcase their projects, highlighting the growing innovation within this sector of the hobby. The seminar schedule concluded with a tutorial on playing Stern Pinball’s Pokémon title, featuring insights from software lead Tanio Klyce, co-designer Jack Danger, and competitive player Steve Bowden.

The afternoon featured an autograph session with prominent industry figures, including Steve Ritchie, Jack Guarnieri, Brad Albright, Dennis Nordman, Eric Meunier, Christopher Franchi, Jack Danger, Tanio Klyce, George Gomez, Mike Vinikour, and many others, providing fans with a rare opportunity to connect with their idols. The "So You Think You Know Pinball?" trivia quiz, hosted by Martin Ayub (Pinball News) and Jonathan Joosten (Pinball Magazine), offered a fun and engaging way for attendees to test their pinball knowledge, with numerous prizes generously donated by industry sponsors. Todd Tuckey’s "Fireside Chat" provided a retrospective look at his extensive career in the coin-op industry, sharing anecdotes and insights from his YouTube channel, TNT Amusements. The day’s events were punctuated by a lively performance by Pinball Rod and The Extra Balls in the lobby, adding a festive atmosphere. The final seminar of the day featured the Stern Pinball team, led by George Gomez, discussing the development of the new Pokémon pinball machine, from initial concepts to the nuances of its rule design and sound production.

Sunday: Tournaments Conclude and Grand Prizes Awarded

Sunday marked the final day of the 2026 Texas Pinball Festival, with the focus shifting to the conclusion of major tournaments and the highly anticipated award ceremonies. While no seminars were scheduled, the Seminars Room was reconfigured for the closing ceremony and prize raffle. The upstairs Tournament Room hosted the climax of the Texas Takedown women’s tournament and the main Texas Wizards tournament.

The Texas Takedown saw 72 competitors vie for the title. After qualifying rounds, Emily Cosson emerged as the champion, securing a perfect score. Dawnda Durbin took second place, and Ariel Dutton finished third, with Rebecca Salam in fourth. Meanwhile, the Texas Wizards tournament culminated in a thrilling final. Jack Revnew secured first place, followed by Tim Hansen in second, Steve Bowden in third, and Nick Mueller in fourth.

The closing ceremony commenced at 2 PM, drawing a large crowd eager to discover the winners of the "Best in Show" awards and the grand raffle prize. TPF organizer Paul McKinney opened the proceedings, thanking attendees, vendors, and sponsors for their contributions to the event’s success. The "Best in Show" awards, judged by a panel of six esteemed individuals, recognized excellence across various categories, including Best Antique, Best 1960s, Best 1970s Electromechanical, Best Solid State (two categories), Best DMD, Best Modern, Best Original, Best Newcomer, Best Restoration, Best Custom (Homebrew), Best Classic Arcade, Best Custom/Innovative Video Game, and the coveted Grand Champion: Best in Show award, which went to Peter Batterton for his Tales of the Arabian Nights.

The raffle for the grand prize, a Harry Potter Arcade Edition from Jersey Jack Pinball valued at $9,995, generated considerable excitement. While the initial draw selected Chris Engberg, his tardiness in claiming the prize led American Pinball owner Bryan Vincent to award a second Houdini 100th Anniversary machine to Nicole Schulte. Subsequently, Chris Engberg arrived and was also awarded a Houdini machine in a gesture of goodwill. The winning ticket for the Harry Potter machine was drawn by Eric Meunier, with Adam Breakey being the fortunate recipient.

As the ceremonies concluded, the process of dismantling and packing began, marking the end of another successful Texas Pinball Festival. The event continues to demonstrate robust growth, expanding its scope with pre-show activities like TechDay and offering a diverse program of seminars, tournaments, and entertainment. The thematic integration, particularly the dragon motif, added a unique character to the 2026 edition. The show’s enduring appeal, supported by a strong community and increasing industry presence, ensures its continued prominence in the pinball calendar. Attendees are already looking forward to the 2027 Texas Pinball Festival, scheduled to return to the Embassy Suites Frisco Hotel & Conference Center from March 19th-21st, 2027, with many expected to arrive early, as is tradition. The Pinball Industry News PINcast will continue to provide insights and discussions on the event and the broader pinball landscape.