Best In Show Awards
Exhibited machines on free play and available to guests are eligible for cash prizes awarded by the Organizers of the Texas Pinball Festival. A judging committee, headed up by local collector “Mayor” Bill Morrison this year, will make the final decision on which pins win ribbons and cash prizes. Judging takes place throughout the weekend, and the winners are announced on Sunday afternoon at the Awards Ceremony.
Pinball machines exhibited at the 2025 Texas Pinball Festival are eligible to win a cash prize and a blue ribbon in each of the following categories:
Best Antique (pre 1960)
Best 60’s
Best 70’s EM
Best Early Solid State (70’s & 80’s)
Best Early DMD (80’s & 90’s)
Best 00’s (2000-2009)
Best Modern (2010-present)
Best Original
Best Restoration
Best Custom Pinball
Best Custom or Innovative Arcade Video Game
Best Classic Arcade Video Game (pre 1990)
Best Newcomer
Grand Champion – The best overall pinball machine on the floor is named “Grand Champion” and its proud owner will take home a cash prize, ribbon and bragging rights.
Prizes are $150 plus plaque/ribbon per category for the winner, $50 and a ribbon for runner ups. The Grand Champion will win $300 and a plaque.
The goal of the Best In Show awards is to reward the collectors that put so much time and effort into their games and share them with us at TPF. Best in Show awards will only be awarded to games still present and set up at TPF on Sunday at the start of the Awards Ceremony, and awarded to the Exhibitor that registered the game. Generally, auction and vendor “for sale” games are not eligible. However, we do recognize that some vendors do bring games from their personal collections, and those titles are eligible.
Judging considerations may include, but are not limited to, cosmetic condition, mechanical condition, quality of touch-ups or restoration (if any), game rarity or popularity, game cleanliness (quality of shop job), attention to detail (i.e. legs and leg bolts polished), modifications, and overall appeal.
If you haven’t decided to be an Exhibitor yet, check out all the details on the Exhibitor page.
Bring out your best!
Texas Pinball Raffle benefitting the National Videogame Museum
On the 20th Anniversary of the TPF, the Texas Pinball Festival will be giving away a NEW, Elton John pinball, Platinum Edition, from Jersey Jack Pinball. Did we know that our 2024 theme would match this game so perfectly? No, but we are sure glad it did. This machine is valued at $12,000!
One lucky winner will take home this brand new game. Raffle tickets are available for sale only at the show, and you must be present on Sunday during the awards presentation to win.
We will be donating the proceeds of the TPF Raffle to the National Videogame Museum. Locals know and love this venue. If you don’t, we encourage you to visit NVM, just a short ride from the show, during TPF weekend.
