The REVA Halle Eissport in Vöcklabruck, Austria, transformed from an ice rink into a vibrant hub for pinball enthusiasts from May 13th to 17th, 2026, hosting the inaugural Austrian Pinball Festival (APF). Building on the significant success of the 2025 European Pinball Championship, also held at the same venue, the APF emerged as a highly anticipated annual event, attracting a diverse crowd of players, collectors, and industry professionals. The festival, spearheaded by Stefan Riedler, head of RS-Pinball, showcased a comprehensive program of tournaments, an extensive free-play area, engaging seminars, and a lively marketplace.

From European Championship to Annual Festival: The Genesis of APF

The 2025 European Pinball Championship (EPC) was a landmark event for the pinball community in Austria, drawing considerable international attention and positive feedback. The overwhelming support and enthusiasm generated by the EPC led to a collective desire to foster a more regular gathering. Recognizing this opportunity, the organizers, led by Stefan Riedler and his RS-Pinball team, conceived the Austrian Pinball Festival as a recurring showcase for the sport, albeit on a slightly more focused scale than the previous year’s continental championship. This strategic pivot aimed to create a sustainable annual event that would continue to promote pinball culture within Austria and beyond.

The choice of the REVA Halle Eissport in Vöcklabruck proved to be an inspired one. This versatile venue, typically used for ice sports from October to February, undergoes a remarkable transformation in the spring. Once the ice melts and is drained, the hall is equipped with a floor, becoming a sprawling 1,800m² exhibition and entertainment space, perfectly suited for the demands of a large-scale pinball festival. The strategic timing, with the banner for the Austrian Pinball Festival adorning the entrance six weeks prior to the opening, signaled the meticulous planning and dedication invested in bringing this event to fruition.

A Five-Day Celebration of Pinball

The Austrian Pinball Festival unfolded over five days, commencing with the Warm-Up Tournament on Wednesday afternoon. This set the tone for a packed schedule that included eight distinct tournaments, culminating on Sunday evening with the finals of the High Score Tournament. The festival was meticulously organized to cater to a wide range of interests, from competitive play to casual enjoyment and industry engagement.

The Venue and Its Offerings

A Welcoming Entrance and Amenities

The attendee experience began even before entering the main hall. RS-Pinball’s innovative mobile mini-arcade, a self-contained promotional vehicle, greeted visitors. This cleverly designed unit, capable of being driven directly onto show floors, offered a rotating selection of four pinball machines, a multi-game video arcade unit, and a skill game, providing immediate immersion into the world of gaming. During the APF, the pinball lineup featured popular titles such as Pokémon, Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye, Queen, and Halloween, highlighting the diverse range of machines available for play.

Adjacent to the mobile arcade, the catering area ensured attendees were well-nourished throughout the event. A dedicated food truck offered rotisserie specialties, while a main catering gazebo provided crowd-pleasers like burgers, fried chicken, fries, and salads. Inside the venue, the bar served a selection of beverages, including schnitzel rolls, further enhancing the culinary options. For those seeking a broader range of choices, the Maximarkt supermarket was conveniently located a short walk across the car park. This proximity to essential amenities underscored the organizers’ commitment to attendee comfort.

Navigating the Festival Layout

The interior of the REVA Halle Eissport was thoughtfully laid out to maximize both accessibility and engagement. Upon entering, the registration desk served as the central point for badge and wristband collection for pre-registered guests, as well as for on-site ticket purchases. A range of entry options were available, including single-day passes (€25), weekend tickets (€45), and full five-day passes (€75). Family day tickets and tournament packages offered further flexibility for attendees.

Beyond registration, the venue was divided into distinct zones: the front area housed the registration, bar, and seating; the central section was dedicated to the free-play machines and vendor stands; and the rear of the hall was designated for the various tournament areas. This clear segmentation facilitated smooth navigation and allowed attendees to easily access their preferred activities.

Merchandise and Vendor Offerings

The registration desk also doubled as a vibrant merchandise hub, offering a wide array of pinball-themed items. From branded T-shirts and toppers to translites, playfield modifications, and various other accessories, the selection catered to the discerning collector and casual fan alike. This provided a tangible connection to the event and the wider pinball community.

The Free Play Area: A Pinball Paradise

The heart of the Austrian Pinball Festival was its expansive free-play area, a meticulously arranged collection of pinball machines spanning multiple rows. This area featured a diverse mix of new releases, classic titles, and innovative homebrew creations, ensuring something for every pinball aficionado.

Manufacturer Showcases

Several leading pinball manufacturers prominently displayed their latest offerings. Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP) presented a selection of their popular titles, drawing significant attention. Similarly, Stern Pinball’s presence was notable, with their current release, Pokémon, being a particular highlight. Three versions of the game—LE, Premium, and Pro—were available, accompanied by a playful inflatable Pikachu overseeing the fair play. Other manufacturers like Spooky Pinball showcased their distinctive machines, including Beetlejuice, Halloween, and Ultraman, further enriching the free-play experience. American Pinball, Hexa Pinball, and Pinball Brothers were also represented, offering a comprehensive overview of the current pinball landscape.

Homebrew Innovation and Custom Creations

A particularly exciting aspect of the APF was the dedicated space for homebrew pinball machines. This showcased the creativity and ingenuity of independent designers and builders. The "Black Knight 3000," a modified classic, demonstrated enhanced gameplay with a new display and updated rules. "Tales of the HTL Kapfenberg," a school project by Sandro Ablasser and Dominik Pliso, impressed with its steel playfield and unique town-shape representation of a brain. "Buddy," a pinball designed as a biological teaching tool, offered an educational yet entertaining experience, explaining the digestive system.

The festival also featured unique, custom-designed machines. Stefan Mader’s creations, including "Deep Blue Rage," "Tree House Club," and the coffee table pinball "Spectra 6," highlighted innovative playfield design and 3D printing techniques. Alessandro Cacciola of SteelShot Pinball presented his impressive conversions, such as "Lupin The 3rd" (based on Diner) and "Hokuto No Ken" (based on Rollergames), alongside his work-in-progress "They Call Me Trinity."

The Pinball Power Up Controller (PPUC) project was also on display, demonstrating an open-source system designed to replace traditional control hardware in Williams and Data East/Sega/Stern games. This innovation allows users to customize game rules and create their own DMD graphics, representing a significant advancement in the homebrew and customization scene.

Vendor Support and Specialized Offerings

Beyond the machines themselves, various vendors offered essential parts, accessories, and custom modifications. Vincent Mods showcased their range of toppers and themed mods. Karin Kolbe provided crucial pinball spares and game enhancement products. SteelShot Pinball offered a variety of decorative and functional upgrades, from side rails to speaker panels. Pinball Parts also presented a selection of hard-to-find components. These vendors played a vital role in supporting the pinball community’s ongoing passion for restoration and customization.

Diversions Beyond Pinball

While pinball was the main attraction, the festival also included a small selection of alternative amusement machines. A popular table football game provided a welcome diversion for all ages, and a dance machine appealed particularly to younger attendees. Games like Lucky Bowl and Beer Fest offered familiar skill-based challenges, reminiscent of classic arcade experiences.

The Tournament Arena: Competition and Camaraderie

The APF featured a robust tournament structure designed to engage players of all skill levels. The tournaments were meticulously organized, with clear designations for each competition area indicated by signs hanging from the rafters.

IFPA-Accredited Competitions

Four major IFPA-accredited tournaments formed the backbone of the competitive program:

• Warm-Up Tournament: Held on Wednesday, this event attracted 175 players. It featured seven rounds of 4-player groups, with points awarded based on finishing position in each game. The top 24 qualifiers advanced to head-to-head, best-of-three play-off matches. Viggo Löwgren emerged victorious, defeating Lukas Ott in a thrilling final.

  

• Main Tournament: This prestigious competition involved a complex qualification system spread across Thursday and Friday. Players could choose from four blocks (A-D), each further divided into four groups. Each player competed in 15 games, with the top four from each group advancing to the Saturday play-offs. The 64 qualifiers participated in best-of-seven head-to-head matches, culminating in a final between Arvid Flygare and Theodor Kristensen. Kristensen ultimately claimed victory in a hard-fought match.

  

• High Score Tournament: Running throughout the festival, this tournament allowed players to achieve their best scores on 16 designated machines over 30 hours of qualifying. The top 32 players, ranked by their accumulated points from their best 12 scores (with a maximum of two scores per machine), advanced to play-offs held on Saturday night and Sunday. Arvid Flygare secured first place, narrowly defeating Lukas Ott in a dramatic best-of-five final.

  

• Classic Tournament: This tournament focused on vintage pinball machines, employing a unique format where players rotated through different classic games in 4-player groups. Eight rounds of play determined the top 12 qualifiers, who then proceeded to Saturday afternoon play-offs. Viggo Löwgren also triumphed in this event, defeating Michael Trepp in the final.

  

Fun Tournaments and Community Engagement

In addition to the IFPA-sanctioned events, several informal tournaments fostered a spirit of fun and inclusivity:

• Women’s Tournament: Held on Friday night, this event began with a social quiz, encouraging camaraderie before the pinball competition. The tournament itself involved 19 rounds of head-to-head play, with Shirin Doppler ultimately winning the final.

  

• Children’s Tournament: A highlight for younger attendees, this tournament took place on Sunday afternoon using Stern machines. Simon took first place, with Paul and Marlon securing second and third respectively. All participants received Lego prizes, adding an extra layer of excitement.

  

• Lego Tournament: Showcasing ingenuity, this tournament was played on the "Schoko 42," a meticulously crafted Lego Mindstorm pinball machine by Rolf Brisberger. The unique game, which dispenses a chocolate ball upon completion, saw Simon Wodok achieve the highest score.

  

• Team Tournament: Held on Saturday night, this event celebrated collaborative play. While full details of the teams were not immediately available due to ongoing play in other tournaments, the top three teams were recognized with trophies.

  

Seminars and Industry Insights

The Austrian Pinball Festival provided a valuable platform for learning and industry exchange through its seminar program. Held on the main stage on Saturday, these sessions featured prominent figures from the pinball world, offering insights into game design, manufacturing, and the homebrew community.

• Alice Lemoine (Hexa Pinball): Lemoine shared details about Hexa Pinball’s manufacturing process in their Bordeaux factory, including their playfield production methods. She also discussed the company’s second release, "The Three Musketeers," which was available for play at the festival.

  

• Aaron Davis (FAST Pinball) & Brian Madden (Mission Pinball Framework): This duo provided an encouraging presentation on "building your own pinball." They highlighted the accessibility of modern hardware and software systems, urging attendees to pursue their pinball design dreams by collaborating within the homebrew community.

  

• Eric Meunier (Jersey Jack Pinball): As the lead designer of the highly anticipated Harry Potter pinball, Meunier shared his passion for the theme, the inspirations behind key game mechanics, and the challenges of developing and mass-producing such a complex machine.

  

These seminars were live-streamed by Pinball News on their Twitch channel and subsequently uploaded to their YouTube channel, making the valuable content accessible to a global audience.

Awards and Recognition

A significant moment during the festival was the presentation of the "Best Homebrew Game" award. Attendees voted for their favorite custom creations, and a panel of guests selected the overall winner. Stefan Mader’s "Deep Blue Rage" was recognized for its ingenuity and quality craftsmanship, earning him a brand-new pinball cabinet and backbox set for his next project.

The Future of APF and Community Impact

The inaugural Austrian Pinball Festival was widely considered a resounding success, demonstrating the vibrant and growing pinball community in Austria and neighboring regions. The well-executed tournaments, diverse range of machines, and engaging seminars created a memorable experience for all attendees.

While the APF will not be held in 2027 due to the proximity of an expanded GPA Expo in Germany, plans are already in motion for its return to Vöcklabruck in 2028. With two years to prepare, organizers anticipate even greater aspirations for the next iteration, building on the strong foundation laid by this successful first event. The Austrian pinball community’s support for the GPA Expo highlights their commitment to fostering broader regional engagement and collaboration within the sport.

The Austrian Pinball Festival 2026 has firmly established itself as a premier event on the pinball calendar, showcasing the passion, innovation, and community spirit that define this enduring hobby.