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 second annual Austrian Pinball Festival (APF). Building on the monumental success of the 2025 European Pinball Championship (EPC), also held at the same venue and spearheaded by Stefan Riedler of RS-Pinball, the APF has quickly established itself as a cornerstone event for the global pinball community. This year’s festival, running over five days, featured a packed schedule of tournaments, seminars, and a vast exhibition of machines, drawing in hundreds of players and spectators from across the continent and beyond.

From EPC Success to an Annual Tradition: The Genesis of the APF

The overwhelming positive reception and enthusiastic participation at the 2025 European Pinball Championship laid the groundwork for the Austrian Pinball Festival. The realization that the event’s success was not a singular occurrence but a testament to the growing passion for pinball fueled the ambition to create an annual gathering. Thus, the APF was conceived as a slightly scaled-down, yet equally engaging, successor, offering a dedicated platform for both competitive play and the celebration of all things pinball. The REVA Halle Eissport, a versatile venue that typically hosts winter sports like ice skating and hockey, undergoes a remarkable seasonal transformation. By late February, the ice melts, and the hall is repurposed into a sprawling 1,800m² exhibition and entertainment space, perfectly suited for the demands of a pinball festival. The prominent display of the Austrian Pinball Festival banner six weeks prior to the opening on May 13th signaled the culmination of months of meticulous planning and anticipation.

A Glimpse of the Venue and Amenities

The festival experience began even before entering the main hall. RS-Pinball showcased its innovative mobile mini-arcade, a testament to their commitment to bringing pinball directly to the public. This self-contained unit, capable of being driven directly onto show floors, offered a rotating selection of four pinball machines, a multi-game video arcade cabinet, and a skill-based "Ice Cold Beer" style game. For the APF, the pinball lineup featured popular titles such as Pokémon, Dungeons & Dragons: The Tyrant’s Eye, Queen, and Halloween, providing immediate access to high-quality gameplay.

On the opposite side of the entrance, the catering services were a focal point, with a dedicated team operating a gazebo and a rotisserie food truck. Attendees could choose from a range of classic fairground fare, including burgers, fried chicken, fries, and salads, with schnitzel rolls also available at the indoor bar. For those seeking a wider variety, the nearby Maximarkt supermarket offered a convenient alternative. However, attendees quickly learned from the previous year’s experience that strategic shopping was necessary, as the supermarket observed a full closure on Sundays and, unexpectedly for some, on the Thursday public holiday during the festival week. This practical lesson highlighted the importance of event planning beyond the immediate venue.

Inside the REVA Halle, the cool and wet weather outside contributed to a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere, with the venue’s spacious layout accommodating the various attractions. The front area of the hall was dedicated to essential services. The registration desk efficiently handled badge and wristband collection for pre-registered guests and processed walk-in entries, with pricing options catering to different needs: €25 for a single day, €45 for the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), and €75 for a full five-day pass. Family day tickets were also available for €60, alongside various tournament entry packages. Beyond ticketing, the registration area also served as a retail hub, offering a wide array of merchandise, including promotional T-shirts, toppers, translites, playfields, and various pinball modifications, catering to the diverse interests of attendees.

The Heart of the Festival: Free Play and Vendor Showcase

The central section of the hall was a sprawling testament to the diversity of the pinball industry, featuring rows of free-play machines, vendor stands, and a dedicated area for homebrew creations. The layout was organized into distinct corridors, each lined with machines and displays, allowing for a systematic exploration of the offerings.

Showcase of Pinball Manufacturers:

• Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP): Prominently featured, JJP’s latest titles were available for play, showcasing their innovative designs and high production values.
• Stern Pinball: As a major force in the industry, Stern Pinball’s presence was substantial, highlighted by the availability of their current title, Pokémon, in its LE, Premium, and Pro versions. The iconic inflatable Pikachu mascot overseeing the machines added a playful touch. Other Stern machines, including home models, were also present, demonstrating the brand’s widespread appeal.
• Spooky Pinball: Known for their unique themes and robust gameplay, Spooky Pinball presented their full lineup, including the highly anticipated Beetlejuice, alongside Halloween and Ultraman. Lesser-seen Spooky titles also made an appearance, offering collectors and enthusiasts a chance to experience a broader range of their portfolio.
• American Pinball: The festival provided a platform for American Pinball to showcase its diverse range of machines, further enriching the attendee experience.
• Haggis Pinball and Turner Pinball: These manufacturers presented their distinctive titles, contributing to the impressive variety of gameplay on offer.
• Hexa Pinball: The company displayed their latest prototype, The Three Musketeers, alongside their previous Space Hunt games, demonstrating their commitment to innovation and design.
• Pinball Brothers: Their machines were a welcome addition, adding to the international flavor of the exhibition.
• Other Notable Manufacturers: A selection of machines from Homepin, Pedretti, and Pinball Adventures were also present, highlighting the global reach and variety of the pinball manufacturing scene.

The Flourishing Homebrew Scene:

A significant draw of the APF was the dedicated space for homebrew pinball creators, a vibrant ecosystem fostering innovation and passion. This year’s festival saw continued development and refinement in many of these projects, showcasing the ingenuity of the independent pinball community.

• Stefan Mader’s Creations: Mader presented three distinct custom designs: "Deep Blue Rage," an unusual concept; "Tree House Club," following a "Pinball Circus" theme focused on ramp progression; and "Spectra 6," a striking coffee table machine featuring a black and white aesthetic inspired by Centaur, with intricately 3D-printed playfield sculptures. These builds, documented on Pinside, underscored the potential for creativity within the hobby.
• Alessandro Cacciola (SteelShot Pinball): Cacciola displayed his impressive conversion projects, including "Lupin The 3rd" (based on Diner), "Hokuto No Ken" (based on Rollergames), and the evolving "Trinity" (formerly a Dirty Harry conversion). His stand also offered a range of cosmetic enhancements for pinball machines, from side rails to speaker panels.
• The Pinball Power Up Controller (PPUC): Demonstrations of the PPUC, an open-source project aimed at modernizing control systems for classic Williams and Data East/Sega/Stern games, highlighted the growing trend of custom software and hardware integration within pinball. This initiative allows users to write their own game rules and create custom display graphics, with board designs available on GitHub and plans for vendor sales in development.
• Classic Game Enhancements: The exhibition also featured impressive modifications and re-themes of classic machines, such as a Black Knight 3000 with an integrated display and updated rules, and a Flash demonstrating the PPUC system.
• Educational and Themed Builds: The "Buddy" game, designed as a biological teaching tool explaining the digestive system, and a charming Muppet Show homebrew, reminiscent of a modified Gay 90’s game, exemplified the diverse applications of pinball design.
• Lego Pinball: Rolf Brisberger’s "Schoko 42" Lego Mindstorm pinball machine was a unique attraction. While featuring manual flippers, it incorporated modern pinball elements like switches, bumpers, targets, LED lighting, and mechanical score reels, even dispensing a chocolate ball upon completion of a game.

Competitive Arena: A Multitude of Tournaments

The Austrian Pinball Festival was not just an exhibition; it was a competitive arena, featuring a diverse array of tournaments catering to all skill levels and preferences.

• Warm-Up Tournament: Kicking off the festival on Wednesday, this tournament attracted 175 players. The format involved seven rounds of 4-player groups, with a points system awarding players based on their finishing position in each game. The top 24 qualifiers advanced to a head-to-head, best-of-three playoff bracket. Viggo Löwgren emerged victorious after a closely contested final against Lukas Ott, winning 2-1. Dominique De Cock secured third place, defeating Alexander Muer.
• Main Austrian Pinball Masters Tournament: This flagship competition involved qualification rounds held over Thursday and Friday, structured into four blocks (A-D) and further divided into groups of sixteen players. Each player competed in 15 games within their group, with the top four from each group advancing to the play-offs. The 64 qualifiers then battled through best-of-seven head-to-head matches. Arvid Flygare ultimately triumphed in a thrilling final against Theodor Kristensen, winning 4-3 in the deciding game. Timber Engelbeen claimed third place by defeating Jakub Tkacz.
• High Score Tournament: Offering a different competitive challenge, this tournament allowed players to achieve their best scores on sixteen designated machines over 30 hours of qualifying. Scores were ranked, and players could achieve a maximum of two qualifying scores per machine. The top 32 qualifiers entered a play-off bracket, culminating in a best-of-five final. Arvid Flygare emerged as the champion, narrowly defeating Lukas Ott 3-2 in a nail-biting final. Erik Palfi secured third place against Benjamin Kispal.
• Classic Tournament: This tournament focused on vintage pinball machines, employing a group play format where players rotated through different classic games. Eight rounds of points-based play determined the top twelve qualifiers, with the top four receiving byes into the finals. Viggo Löwgren continued his winning streak, taking first place by defeating Thomas Müsterman 3-0 in the final. Michael Trepp secured third place, beating Bart Volman.
• Women’s Tournament: Fostering inclusivity, this tournament began with a social quiz to encourage interaction among participants. The competitive play saw Shirin Doppler emerge as the winner, with Sabine Ramsner taking second place and Elli Paschalis third.
• Children’s Tournament: A dedicated event for younger enthusiasts, this tournament provided a fun and engaging experience on Stern machines, with Simon taking first place, followed by Paul and Marlon. All participants received Lego prizes, emphasizing the inclusive spirit of the festival.
• Lego Tournament: Held on Rolf Brisberger’s unique Schoko 42 Lego pinball machine, this tournament celebrated creativity and innovation. Simon Wodok achieved the highest score, with Arvid Flygare and Martin Wodok securing second and third places respectively.
• Team Tournament: This collaborative event saw teams competing for bragging rights. While full details were still being compiled at the time of reporting, the top three teams were recognized with trophies.

Seminars and Industry Insights

The APF also served as a platform for knowledge sharing and industry discussions through a series of seminars held on the main stage. These sessions were live-streamed by Pinball News and later uploaded to their YouTube channel, making the content accessible to a wider audience.

• Alice Lemoine (Hexa Pinball): Lemoine provided insights into Hexa Pinball’s manufacturing processes at their Bordeaux factory, highlighting their unique playfield production methods. She also discussed the development of "The Three Musketeers," their latest release.
• Aaron Davis and Brian Madden (FAST Pinball & Mission Pinball Framework): This duo shared their expertise on building custom pinball machines. They encouraged attendees to pursue their pinball dreams by collaborating within the homebrew community, outlining the initial steps and available resources.
• Eric Meunier (Jersey Jack Pinball): As the lead designer of JJP’s Harry Potter pinball, Meunier delved into the inspirations behind the game’s design, key mechanisms, and the manufacturing challenges faced by his team in bringing the beloved theme to life.

Community and Recognition

A highlight of the festival was the "Best Homebrew Game" award. Attendees voted for their favorite custom creations, with a panel of industry guests making the final selection. Stefan Mader’s "Deep Blue Rage" clinched the coveted prize, earning him a new pinball cabinet and backbox set for his next project. This award underscores the festival’s commitment to recognizing and fostering the burgeoning homebrew scene.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Austrian Pinball Festival

While the 2026 Austrian Pinball Festival was hailed as a resounding success, organizers have announced that the APF will not be held in 2027. This hiatus is due to the scheduling of an expanded German Pinball Association (GPA) Expo in the same year, which will also take place in proximity to Vöcklabruck. The Austrian pinball community intends to support the GPA Expo. However, plans are already underway for the APF to return to Vöcklabruck in 2028, with organizers expressing even greater aspirations for the second installment, promising an even more expansive and engaging event.

The success of the 2026 Austrian Pinball Festival, from its diverse range of machines and competitive tournaments to its insightful seminars and vibrant community atmosphere, firmly cements its place as a must-attend event for pinball enthusiasts worldwide. The dedication of Stefan Riedler, Julia, Arno, and the extensive volunteer team was instrumental in delivering an exceptional experience, showcasing the passion and collaborative spirit that defines the modern pinball landscape.