Wednesday & Thursday: Pre-Festival Events
Wednesday, March 17th
Kick off your festival experience with our exclusive TechDay, limited to just 60 collectors and 20 guest. This special pre-event runs from noon to 8pm at Frisco 7-9, giving dedicated enthusiasts early access to technical discussions, upgrade product special and hands-on experiences before the main festival begins. Also a great way to load in your machines early! Guest passes do not reqire that you bring a machine, just attend to learn.
Thursday, March 19th
Tech Day continues in Frisco 7-9 from 8am 'til noon. The excitement builds as we open for exhibitor check-in and packet pickup from noon to 8pm at the west rolling door. The main exhibit hall will be available for collectors and exhibitors to set up their displays during this same timeframe. For those looking to unwind after setup, our board game room will be open. New for this year -the exhibit hall will be open for a set up party from 8pm -10pm.
Wednesday
Noon-8pm: TechDay fix'n games Party (registration required)
Location: Frisco 7-9 (West side by Rolling Door)
Thursday
8am-Noon: Tech Day (2) Extended Session
Noon-8pm: Exhibitor Check In and packet pickup
Noon-8pm: Main Exhibit Hall opens for setup
Noon-8pm: Board Game -pick up at Registration
4:15 - 9pm ($20 cash First come First Serve -Tournament Room)
6pm: Media Mavens Tournament (Location TBD)
8pm-10pm: Exhibitor/Collector Set up Party
Wednesday
Noon-8pm: TechDay (limited to 100 collectors)
Location: Frisco 7-9
Thursday
Noon-8pm: Exhibitor Check In and packet pickup
Noon-8pm: Main Exhibit Hall opens for setup
Noon-8pm: Board Game Room
6pm: Media Mavens Tournament (Location TBD)
9pm-???: Karaoke bar (Location TBD)
Friday, March 19th: Opening Day
The festival officially kicks into high gear on Friday with a packed schedule of events. Early birds can pick up pre-registration packets starting at 8:00 am, avoiding the lines when the gameroom opens to the public. Collectors and exhibitors will have access to the exhibit hall for final setup preparations before the doors open to the public.
Morning
8:00 am: Pre-registration booth opens
8:00 am: Exhibit Hall open for setup
8:30 am: Tournament area opens
9:00 am - 12:00 am: Texas Wizards Tournament Qualifying
(Early group 9am – 4pm, Late group: 5pm – 12am)
Evening
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Scoma Jazz Band (Lobby Stage) pending
5:00pm-midnight Wizards Tournament Late Group Qualifying
7:00 pm: Seminars/Entertainment pending
10:00 pm: Texas Smoke (Embassy Suites Cypress Bar)
hosted by Mike, Barry & Rusty
10:00 pm: Gift Shop Closes
1:00 am: Gameroom closes
Afternoon
Noon: Main exhibit hall open to Early Ride Time Passes
Noon - 10:00 pm: Kids Bump & Win Tournament Qualifying
2:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Gift shop open
Noon-4pm: Seminars (TBD)
4:00 pm: Festival opens to the public
Morning
8:00 am: Pre-registration booth opens
8:00 am: Exhibit Hall open for setup
8:30 am: Tournament area opens
9:00 am - 12:00 am: Texas Wizards Tournament Qualifying
(Early group 9am – 4pm, Late group: 5pm – 12am)
Afternoon
Noon: Main exhibit hall open to Early Ride Time Passes
Noon - 10:00 pm: Kids Bump & Win Tournament Qualifying
2:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Gift shop open
3:45 pm: Opening Entertainment (Lobby Stage)
4:00 pm: Festival opens to the public
Evening
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Scoma Jazz Band (Lobby Stage) pending
5:00pm-midnight Wizards Tournament Late Group Qualifying
7:00 pm: Seminars/Entertainment pending
10:00 pm: Texas Smoke (Embassy Suites Cypress Bar)
hosted by Mike, Barry & Rusty
10:00 pm: Gift Shop Closes
1:00 am: Gameroom closes
Saturday, March 20th Main Event Day
Saturday brings the festival to its peak with a full day of activities starting bright and early. The DFW Pinball & Arcade Club hosts a Swap Meet from 7:00 am to 10:00 am, perfect for collectors looking to trade or acquire new pieces for their collection. Registration opens at 8:00 am, followed by the gift shop and tournament area at 9:00 am.
Tournament action continues with the Kids Bump & Win Tournament Qualifying from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, with finals scheduled for 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm. The Texas Wizards Tournament Qualifying runs from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, with finals taking place from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
The main gameroom opens at 9:00 am, with seminars beginning at 10:00 am. Throughout the day, shuttles will be available to transport attendees to the National Videogame Museum, with pickup on the north side of the convention center.
Morning Events
- 7:00 am: Swap Meet begins
- 8:00 am: Registration opens
- 9:00 am: Gift shop & tournament area open
- 9:00 am: Gameroom opens
- 9:00 am-2:00pm: Kids Bump & Win Qualifying
- 9am – 2pm, Wizards Tournamenet Early Group Qualifying
Afternoon Events
- 10:00 am - 6:00 pm: National Videogame Museum shuttle service
- 10:30 am Seminars begin (TBD)
- 2pm – 7pm: Wizards Late Group Qualifying
- 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Kids Bump & Win Tournament Finals
- 4:00 pm: Special Guest Autograph Session (Convention Center Lobby)
Evening Events
- 5:00 pm: Pinball Trivia with Martin Ayub & Jonathan Joosten (Embassy Suites) Pending
- 6:00pm: Entertainment TBA
- 11:00 pm: Gameroom closes to public
- 11:00 pm - 1:00 am: Exhibitor/Collector Party-Pending
Sunday, March 21st: Final Day
The festival concludes on Sunday with a half-day of activities. Registration and the gift shop open at 8:30 am, with the gameroom following at 9:00 am. The tournament area opens at the same time, hosting the Texas Wizards Tournament Finals and the Texas Takedown: Women's Pinball Championship.
Morning
8:30 am: Registration opens
8:30 am: Gift shop opens
9:00 am: Gameroom opens
9:00 am: Tournament area opens
9:00 am: Texas Wizards Tournament Finals (3 & 4)
9:00 am - Noon: Texas Takedown: Women's Pinball Championship Qualifying
Afternoon
Noon - 2:00 pm: Texas Takedown: Women's Pinball Championship Finals
2:00 pm: Gameroom closes
2:00 pm: Best in Show Awards / Closing Ceremony / Pinball Raffle Drawing (Seminar Room)
The festival wraps up with the Best in Show Awards, Closing Ceremony, and Pinball Raffle Drawing at 2:00 pm in the Seminar Room. This is your last chance to celebrate with fellow pinball enthusiasts and potentially win some amazing prizes before saying goodbye until next year.
Please note that all guests are subject to cancellation or schedule changes. Seminars have limited seating capacities and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Morning
8:30 am: Registration opens
8:30 am: Gift shop opens
9:00 am: Gameroom opens
9:00 am: Tournament area opens
9:00 am: Texas Wizards Tournament Finals (3 & 4)
9:00 am - Noon: Texas Takedown: Women's Pinball Championship Qualifying
Afternoon
Noon - 2:00 pm: Texas Takedown: Women's Pinball Championship Finals
2:00 pm: Gameroom closes
2:00 pm: Best in Show Awards / Closing Ceremony / Pinball Raffle Drawing (Seminar Room)
The festival wraps up with the Best in Show Awards, Closing Ceremony, and Pinball Raffle Drawing at 2:00 pm in the Seminar Room. This is your last chance to celebrate with fellow pinball enthusiasts and potentially win some amazing prizes before saying goodbye until next year.
Please note that all guests are subject to cancellation or schedule changes. Seminars have limited seating capacities and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tournament Schedule
Qualifying Rounds
Texas Wizards
Kids Bump & Win
Women's Championship
Finals
Texas Wizards Tournament
Our premier competitive event spans all three days of the festival:
- Friday: 9:00 am - 12:00 am - Qualifying rounds
- Saturday: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm - Qualifying continues
- Saturday: 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm - Finals (1 & 2)
- Sunday: 9:00 am - Finals (3 & 4)
This tournament attracts the best pinball wizards from across the region, showcasing incredible skill and strategy throughout the weekend.
Kids Bump & Win Tournament
Designed for our younger pinball enthusiasts:
- Friday: Noon - 10:00 pm - Qualifying
- Saturday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm - Qualifying continues
- Saturday: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Finals
This tournament provides a fun, competitive environment for kids to showcase their pinball skills and potentially win exciting prizes.
Texas Takedown: Women's Pinball Championship
Celebrating the growing community of women pinball players:
- Sunday: 9:00 am - Noon - Qualifying
- Sunday: Noon - 2:00 pm - Finals
This championship highlights the incredible talent in the women's pinball community, with competitors from all skill levels welcome to participate.
All tournaments will take place in the designated Tournament Area. Additional side tournaments may be available throughout the weekend - check the tournament desk for details and registration information.
Featured Presentations
Throughout the festival, we're proud to host presentations from the leading companies in the pinball industry. These sessions provide unique insights into upcoming releases, technical innovations, and the future of pinball.
Jersey Jack Pinball
TBD - Seminar Room
Join the team from Jersey Jack Pinball as they showcase their latest innovations and possibly reveal upcoming machines. Their presentations are known for their excitement and technical depth.
Barrels of Fun Pinball
TBD - Seminar Room
The creative minds behind Barrels of Fun Pinball will share their unique approach to pinball design and manufacturing, with potential announcements about new titles in development.
Multimorphic Inc.
TBD - Seminar Room
Known for their innovative P3 platform, Multimorphic continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in modern pinball. Don't miss their presentation on Dungeon Crawler Carl and Enders Game.
Stern Pinball
TBD - Seminar Room
Stern Pinball returns with what's sure to be an exciting presentation on Transformers/Fallout and who knows what's next....
American Pinball
Last year welcomed the rebirth of American pinball with a give away of a new Houdini game (actually two it turned out) and this year you can come and see their Circus Voltaire remake. Watch last years seminar here: TPF2026-American Pinball – New Team and Product announcements.
Seating for all presentations is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend arriving early to secure your spot for these popular events.
Entertainment & Special Events
Live Music & Entertainment
The festival features multiple entertainment options throughout the weekend:
- Friday, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Scoma Jazz Band (Lobby Stage)
- Friday 8:pm -TBA
- Friday, 10:00 pm: Texas Smoke (Embassy Suites Cypress Bar) Hosted by Mike, Barry & Rusty
- Saturday, 7pm TBA:
- Saturday, 9:00 pm: TBA (Lobby Stage)
These performances provide the perfect soundtrack to your pinball adventures, offering a chance to relax and enjoy some great music between gaming sessions.
The Bands (2026) check back soon for 2027
Scoma Jazz Band
Pinball Rod and the Extra Balls
GTA -Cars Tribute Band
Special Events
Beyond the tournaments and presentations, we've organized several special events to enhance your festival experience:
- Saturday, 7:00 am - 10:00 am: Swap Meet hosted by DFW Pinball & Arcade Club in North East Parking area (by Food Trucks)
- Saturday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm: National Videogame Museum Shuttle Service
(pick up on North side of Convention Center) - Saturday, 4:00 pm: Special Guest Autograph Session (Convention Center Lobby)
- Saturday, 5:00 pm: "So You Think You Know Pinball?" Trivia with Martin Ayub & Jonathan Joosten (Embassy Suites Cypress Bar)
Autograph Sessions
Meet your pinball heroes during our scheduled autograph sessions on Saturday at 4:00 pm in the Convention Center Lobby. Bring your memorabilia or purchase items on-site to have signed by industry legends and special guests.
National Videogame Museum
Take a break from pinball and explore the National Videogame Museum! Shuttle service runs Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with pickup on the north side of the convention center. This is a great opportunity to experience the history of video games alongside your pinball adventures.
Pinball Trivia
Test your pinball knowledge at "So You Think You Know Pinball?" Trivia with Martin Ayub & Jonathan Joosten on Saturday at 5:00 pm in the Embassy Suites Cypress Bar. This fun, competitive event is perfect for showcasing your pinball expertise among fellow enthusiasts.
Special Guests (2026-check back soon for 2027)
Steve Ritchie
Game Designer
Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP)
Christopher Franchi
Artist
Spooky Pinball
Gerry Stellenberg
CEO/Game Designer
Multimorphic Inc,
Jonathan Joosten / Martin Ayub
Jonathan Joosten -Writer/Editor-In-Chief
Pinball Magazine
Martin Ayub
Writer/ Editor-In-Chief
Pinball News
Jack Guarnieri
Founder
Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP)
Brett Weiss
Eric Meunier
Designer
Jersey Jack Pinball
Mike Vinikour
Game Designer
Stern Pinball
Dennis Nordman
Game Designer
Wizbang Pinball
Todd Tuckey & Frank Lindenmuth
Celebrity Technicians
TNT Amusemenets
George Gomez
Game Designer
Stern Pinball
Jack Danger
Game Designer
Stern Pinball
Brian Savage
Barrels of Fun
Jerry Thompson
Lead Sound Designer
Stern Pinball
Class of 2024
2025 Recorded Seminars
Couldn't make it to last year's festival? Want to refresh your memory on some of the excellent seminars from 2026 click here? We've got you covered with recordings of all our educational sessions from 2025 as these videos are perfect for learning new skills or getting inspired for your next pinball project.
How to Build a Custom Pinball Machine
A comprehensive guide to creating your own custom pinball machine from scratch, covering everything from design to implementation.
Watch Video
How To Touch Up Playfields
Keith Holbrook demonstrates techniques for restoring and touching up pinball playfields to keep your machines looking their best.
Watch Video
How To Flipper Rebuild
Learn the step-by-step process of rebuilding pinball flippers to ensure optimal performance and longevity for your machines.
Watch Video
| Seminar Title | Description | Link |
| How To Making Pinball Friends | Home-brew makers talk about their maker journey and getting custom award-winning games on the floor at TPF | Watch Video |
| How To Troubleshoot a Pinball Machine | Essential diagnostic and repair techniques for pinball machines | Watch Video |
| Evolution Mods-Pinnunciator | How to easily add interactive light shows, servo motors, knocker coils, and more to your existing games. No coding required! | Watch Video |
| How To Refurbish A Pinball Machine | Complete guide to restoring pinball machines to their former glory | Watch Video |
| Uncanny X Men Tutorial | Steve Bowden walks through the Uncanny X-Men pinball machine | Watch Video |
| "How To Series" Operating a Location | Tips and strategies for running a successful pinball location | Watch Video |
| Adaptive Flipper Seminar | Jim Austin, Rusty Key, and Jennifer Swanson discuss Adaptive Flipper controllers as an aid for controlling flippers with alternative methods | Watch Video |
Practical Information & FAQ
Special Events
Pre-registration packet pickup is available on Friday starting at 8:00 am, allowing you to avoid lines when the gameroom opens. Regular registration opens at 8:00 am on Saturday and 8:30 am on Sunday.
Half-price Friday day passes become available at 9:00 pm on Friday, perfect for night owls who want to experience the festival at a discount.
Limited Early Ride Time Passes grant access to the main exhibit hall at noon on Friday, giving you a head start on exploring the festival before it opens to the general public at 4:00 pm Note: all games may not be available.
Venue Information
The Texas Pinball Festival takes place across multiple areas:
- Main Exhibit Hall: Houses the majority of pinball machines and vendor booths
- Seminar Room: Hosts all presentations and the closing ceremony
- Lobby Stage: Features live entertainment throughout the weekend
- Tournament Area: Dedicated space for all competitive events
- Embassy Suites Cypress Bar: Location for evening events including Texas Smoke and pinball trivia
Important Reminders
- All guests and events are subject to cancellation or schedule changes
- Seminars have limited seating capacities and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis
- The gift shop is open Friday 2:00 pm - 11:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am - close, and Sunday 8:30 am - close
- Don't miss the Best in Show Awards, Closing Ceremony, and Pinball Raffle Drawing on Sunday at 2:00 pm
Hours of Operation
Friday: 4:00 pm - 1:00 am (Public)
Saturday: 9:00 am - 11:00 pm (Public)
Sunday: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Getting Around
Shuttle service to the National Videogame Museum runs on Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with pickup on the north side of the convention center.
All main festival areas are within walking distance of each other.
Need Help?
Information desks are located throughout the venue. Staff and volunteers are available to assist with any questions or concerns you may have during the festival.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 Texas Pinball Festival! For additional information or questions not covered here, please visit our website or contact our festival team.