Thanks for TPF Community

For 23 years of pinball memories

Texas Pinball Festival 2026: A Celebration of Pinball Culture

Join us for the ultimate pinball experience at the Texas Pinball Festival 2026. With hundreds of machines, tournaments, seminars, and a vibrant community of enthusiasts, this is the premier event for pinball lovers across the country.

2025 Festival Recap

The 2025 Texas Pinball Festival was a testament to the resilience and passion of the pinball community. Despite some logistical challenges, including a fire near Heathrow airport and snow in the US that prevented four exhibitors from attending, the event was a resounding success with approximately 4,200 attendees enjoying over 429 games on the floor.

The slightly reduced crowding actually enhanced the experience for many, allowing more time on favorite machines and creating a more relaxed atmosphere. As the organizers noted, “it is great seeing old friends and making new ones which for most is the best part the show.”

The festival featured debut appearances for several highly anticipated machines, including Multimorphic’s Portal and Turner Pinball’s Merlin’s Arcade. Attendees also got their first look at Chicago Gaming’s updated releases of Medieval Madness and Cactus Canyon, which were announced just the week of the show.

Avatar made its first appearance at the show, generating tremendous interest from fans. Many attendees also got their first opportunity to experience the D&D and Evil Dead machines, adding to the excitement of discovering new games alongside classic favorites.

View Gallery

Behind the Scenes: The Dedicated Team That Makes It Happen

Back Door Check-In Team

The all-new check-in team consisting of Grieg Riddle, Brandon Walker with Sunbelt Rentals, Chris Campbell, Mike Muton, and Earl Balzer expertly handled the logistics of exhibitor arrival, including three large exhibitors who arrived early and the rest who showed up precisely at noon on Thursday while the team was still marking the floor.

Special thanks to Tony Lanphier who volunteered in the early Thursday hours to help finish the late-start floor layout, contributing to what the organizers believe was “the swiftest breakdown in the history of the show.”

Retail Team

The retail operations were smoothly managed by Darryl Gamboa, Marc Davis, Laura Tennison, David Vandiver, Beverly Gamboa, Sara Harris, Stefanie Vandiver, Lisa Miller, Brittany Parker, Kris Klinge and Hannah, Jerry Sinclair, and Carey Fishman. Earl Balzer was also recognized for helping out in multiple areas throughout the event.

Technical Support

Thanks to the expertise of Kevin Moore & Jessica Richardson with Pinball-ERS, Pat Danis, Mike Menchu, David and Loretta Corbin, Billy Burgess, Frank Haley, Sandra Hegeman, Rob Anthony of Lock when Lit, and EM experts Nic Schell, Bob Herbison, and Ken Head, less than 2% of machines were down at any point during the show.

Special recognition to Cayman Kai for supporting all the games and bringing the Alice Homebrew, and to Sean Palmer and Kevin Moore for their assistance with the organizer’s Godzilla machine.

The festival’s success was also supported by Richard, Howard, and Gerald with Visionality, who handled the AV needs and streams on Twitch, with sponsorship from PlayerOne Amusements. Imoto and Pam Heffern coordinated the seminars, while Russell and Shawn managed the swap meet-up, which will start at 7am next year due to its popularity.

Festival Highlights: New Attractions and Amenities

Enhanced Food Options

The 2025 festival featured six food trucks available throughout most of the show, along with a new picnic area that proved to be a popular addition. Special thanks was given to Marcel van Kessel, who assisted with setting up the lights above the picnic tables when he wasn’t busy legging up games or assembling tables.

The organizers noted that many attendees, like Marcel, simply “show up and pitch in with all the little surprises that happen needing a little help in the set-up hours,” highlighting the community spirit that makes the festival special.

Awards and Incentives

The festival distributed over $3,000 in well-deserved machine awards and $7,000 in collector incentives. The judges team, consisting of Keith Holbrook, Scott Martin, Bill Morrison, Rich Wiski, and Michael Lube, was praised for their “exhaustive efforts” and “rigorous selection methods and dedication of time.”

These awards not only recognize the exceptional machines on display but also encourage collectors to bring their best and most interesting games to share with the community, enhancing the overall experience for all attendees.

The festival also featured creative booth designs from various exhibitors, with notable mentions for the Game Preserve and Jersey Jack Pinball (JJP) for their cool lighting and theming. The competition for “most creative booth” remains fierce, adding another layer of visual excitement to the show floor.

Show Award Winners: Celebrating Pinball Excellence

Best Antique (Pre-1960)

Baffle Ball [Gottlieb, 1931] – Redshaw

Best 1960’s

Diamond Jack [Gottlieb, 1967] – Ken Head

Best 1970’s (EM)

Jet Spin [Gottlieb, 1977] – Ken Head

The Texas Pinball Festival celebrates the rich history and evolution of pinball machines through its comprehensive awards program. From antique machines dating back to the 1930s to the latest modern releases, these awards showcase the incredible craftsmanship, restoration work, and innovation present in the pinball community.

Ken Head was a notable winner in 2024, taking home awards in multiple categories including Best 1960’s for Diamond Jack and Best 1970’s (EM) for Jet Spin, demonstrating his dedication to preserving and restoring classic electromechanical machines.

More Award-Winning Machines

Best 1970s (SS) / 1980’s

Big Game Prototype [Stern, 1980] – Tommy Skinner

Best 1990’s

Bride of Pin*Bot [Williams, 1991] – Eric Smith

Best 00’s

Playboy [Stern, 2002] – Brandon Haney

Best Modern

Jaws [Stern, 2024] – Kim Keist

Best Original

Devil King [Tecnoplay, 1987] – Wormhole Pinball

Best Newcomer

Mr. and Mrs. Pac-Man Pinball [Bally, 1982] – Paul Brown

The festival’s awards span every era of pinball history, from the earliest mechanical games to the latest digital marvels. The Best Modern category was claimed by Kim Keist’s Jaws [Stern, 2024], showcasing cutting-edge technology and design, while the Best Original award went to Wormhole Pinball’s Devil King [Tecnoplay, 1987], highlighting the importance of preserving rare and unique machines.

Special Categories

Best Restoration

Future Spa [Bally, 1979] – Ben Bassinger

Best Classic Arcade Video Game

Punch-Out!! [Nintendo, 1984] – Brian and Kathy Smith

Best Custom/Innovative Video Game - Tekken 7-Fated Retribution (Custom, 2025) - Ismael Rodriguez

Best Custom Pinball

The Greatest Showman [2025] – Pinball Reborn

Best Custom/Innovative Video Game

Tekken 7-Fated Retribution [Custom, 2025] – Ismael Rodriguez