About Texas Pinball Festival
Texas Pinball Festival | March 17th-21st, 2027 | Frisco, TX
Over 440 machines. One incredible weekend.
The Texas Pinball Festival is not just an event
The Texas Pinball Festival (TPF) started in 2002 as a gathering of like-minded individuals who share a love for the silver ball. Join us to swap stories, learn new techniques, and forge lasting friendships with fellow players, designers, and manufactures from many countries. Whether you are a seasoned tournament player or a curious newcomer, you will find a welcoming Texas atmosphere that celebrates the joy of pinball. Just maybe you go home with a new pinball game.
The fun does not stop at the festival grounds! TPF offers a delightful escape with its tours to the National Video Game Museum. Take a leisurely tour and savor the flavors of the local restaurant in Frisco, Tx. Explore the charming downtown area, where you’ll find unique boutiques, antique shops, and farm-to-table restaurants. Bring the kids and stop by for a visit at the new Universal Studios Kids Park, just 10 min from TPF.
So, mark your calendars, book a hotel room, prepurchase a discount ticket and get ready to flip, tilt, and score your way to a weekend of pure pinball bliss!
Core Values
- Education – Empowering enthusiasts with practical knowledge and skills to repair and maintain pinball machines.
- Preservation – Promoting the care and restoration of pinball games to preserve their history and functionality.
- Community – Fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment for pinball enthusiasts to connect and share their passion.
- Fun – Prioritizing enjoyment, excitement, and a playful atmosphere for all attendees.
- Competition – Promoting fair, spirited competition that celebrates skill and dedication to pinball.
- Innovation – Embracing creativity in event planning, game selection, and festival experiences.
- Nostalgia – Honoring the history and culture of pinball while engaging new generations.
- Excellence – Committing to high-quality event execution, from machine maintenance to attendee experience.
- Inclusivity – Ensuring accessibility and diversity, welcoming players of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds.
- Passion – Driven by a love for pinball and a desire to share it with others.
TPF Innovations
At-a-Glance Innovations to TPF 2026
- Attendee feedback is valuable and has led to innovations and improved registration processes.
- A redesigned website enhances user experience for buying passes and tournament tickets, including new kid’s tournament registration.
- Colored badges (themed) will replace wristbands for all attendees, including those with one-day passes.
- A QR code system will allow for quicker reporting of broken machines to the tech team.
- Food Trucks (with menus listed on the site) and new and legacy live entertainment will return on Friday and Saturday.
- Swap meet with open at 7am
- Survey collection will now be via a QR code on attendee badges, with completion granting entry into a drawing for a 2-night stay at the 2027 Embassy Suites.
More History of TPF
The D/FW area took part its first pinball show, "APOP Pinballarama," in 2001, hosted by an Oklahoma couple in Arlington, Texas. Although short-lived, it inspired local collectors to establish the "Texas Pinball Festival" in 2002 at a Holiday Inn in Arlington. The festival's rapid growth led to larger venues, including a Holiday Inn in Las Colinas, the Grapevine DFW Lakes Hilton in 2007, and the Hilton Anatole in Dallas in 2013, which boasted 45,000 square feet. Since 2014, Frisco has been the proud home of TPF.