See you at Pinball Expo 2026: our very first show
See you at Pinball Expo 2026: our very first show
We have news that means a lot to us: Pinballs Store is listed among the official exhibitors of Pinball Expo 2026, running from 14 to 17 October 2026 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, near Chicago. This is our first time at the show — and the first time our boards will cross the Atlantic to sit on a table, in the flesh, in front of people who have been waiting for them. Here is what we know today, what you can do there, and what you can come and ask us.
Information verified on 13 July 2026 on pinballexpo.com. The detailed 2026 schedule is still being built: the organisers add to it throughout the year.
A small French workshop crossing the Atlantic
Pinballs Store is not a factory. It is a French workshop that designs and builds replacement circuit boards for pinball machines from 1977 to 1989. No machines, no toppers, no accessories: boards, and the know-how that comes with them. So being listed on pinballexpo.com alongside Stern Pinball, Jersey Jack Pinball and Marco Pinball means something to us. Our logo does appear in the "Pinball Expo 2026 Vendors" section of the official home page, linking to pinballs.store.
Why make the trip? Because the population of 1980s Gottlieb, Williams and Bally machines in the United States is enormous, and because a board is something you look at, turn over and compare with the dead one sitting in your garage. No product page replaces five minutes of conversation across a table.
Pinball Expo: the grandmother of pinball shows
For newcomers: Pinball Expo was born in 1985, the brainchild of Rob Berk, with the help of Bill Kurtz and Mike Pacak. The founding idea was simple and rather beautiful: to honour the designers and artists who created the games he loved. Forty years on, the official site describes it as the longest-running event dedicated to the pinball industry — "The Longest Running Pinball Show". It takes place in Chicago, the city of Bally, Williams, Gottlieb and today Stern: the birthplace of everything we repair.
What awaits you at the 2026 edition
Over 500 machines on free play
The principle is "pay one price, play all day": you pay for admission, you play all day long. The official site announces over 500 machines, made in the USA but also in Italy, Spain and elsewhere, with plenty of room for low-production and obscure manufacturers. Jersey Jack Pinball, for its part, announces a free play area with every title it has produced to date.
Over 40 hours of seminars
This is one of the show's proudest claims: over 40 hours of talks. Seminars start at 9:00 am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, often before the convention hall even opens. The speaker list is published gradually: worth watching towards the end of the summer.
Tournaments for every level
The show hosts an IFPA-sanctioned tournament, alongside a Women's tournament, a Kids 14 & under tournament and a Classics tournament. The Flip Out Tournament finals take place on the Sunday. To go further: Pinball tournaments: where to find them, which ones to aim for, and how to win.
Two factory tours
Two tours are on the programme: Jersey Jack Pinball on Thursday 15 October and Stern Pinball on Friday 16 October. The Stern tour is included in the Full Registration Package; the Jersey Jack tour costs $35 and is limited to 450 people. In both cases you must ride the pre-arranged buses from the Renaissance Schaumburg.
Bumper Blast, the opening party
On Wednesday 14 October, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, the Bumper Blast 2026 party takes place at ENTERRIUM (formerly Level 257), a 40,000 sq ft venue at Woodfield Mall: buffet, cashless bar (cash is not accepted) and a three-hour game card valid on the games and bowling lanes. One detail we love: international attendees can arrive at 6:00 pm to meet founder Rob Berk. Shuttle buses run from the Renaissance.
Autographs, Stern's 40th anniversary, 1930s machines
- The show celebrates Stern Pinball's 40th anniversary. The site promises "more exciting details coming soon": we would rather not embroider.
- Autograph session: Saturday 17 October at 1:00 pm, with designers, artists and authors.
- Cliff and Colleen's 1930s "pre-flipper" booth: over 30 games from before flippers existed, on display and playable.
- Build A Blinkie runs a learn-to-solder workshop at its booth, free of charge and open to all ages.
- Door Prize drawing on Saturday at 8:00 pm, for a new pinball machine (model TBD).
Among the exhibitors you will find Stern Pinball, Jersey Jack Pinball, American Pinball, Marco Pinball, Warped Pinball, PinGraffix, Past Times Arcade, Pinsnake, the Project Pinball charity, FlipperCraft from Australia and EuroPin from the Netherlands with European titles rarely seen in America. So we will not be the only ones who took a plane.
What you can expect from us (and what we do not promise)
Let us be clear and modest: we are not coming with a product launch, a big announcement or a giveaway. We are coming with our FPGA-based replacement boards and a genuine wish to talk. They cover:
- Gottlieb System 1 (1977-1979);
- Gottlieb System 80, 80A and 80B (1980-1989) — with the GottFA80_Plus (349 €), the GottFA80_Plus V2 Full with integrated sound board (399 €) and the Lisy80 (199 €);
- Williams System 3 to System 7 — the WillFA7 (349 €);
- Bally / Stern 1977-1985 — the BallyFA (299 €).
At the show you will be able to see and handle the boards, understand how they install (they are designed for a solder-free fit), describe your machine's fault to us and leave with an honest opinion — including "your original board can be repaired, keep it". To prepare the ground, our guides already exist: which all-in-one board for a Gottlieb System 80, which board for a Williams System 3 to 7 and which MPU for a Bally / Stern 1977-1985.
All our boards come with a 6-month warranty (parts and labour) against any failure not caused by misuse, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. Technical support is free, before and after purchase.
What we cannot tell you yet: our booth number. The 2026 floor plan has not been published to date (the site still shows the 2025 one). As soon as it is online, we will pass it on.
Practical information
| Event | Pinball Expo 2026 — "The Longest Running Pinball Show" |
|---|---|
| Dates | Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 October 2026 (tournament finals on Sunday 18) |
| Venue | Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel |
| Address | 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60173, USA (Chicago area) |
| Convention hall hours | Thursday 12:00-23:00 · Friday 10:00-00:00 · Saturday 10:00-01:00 (Wednesday: hall closed for set-up + Bumper Blast) |
| Tickets | Full Registration Package $240 · 3-day pass $160 · Single day $55-60 · Bumper Blast only $50 · Stern tour $35 · Free for kids 10 and under (prices recorded on 13/07/2026, subject to change) |
| Ticketing | pinballexpo.com/admission |
| Official schedule | pinballexpo.com/events-schedule — built throughout the year, check back regularly |
| Official site | pinballexpo.com · info@pinballexpo.com · +1 330-716-3139 |
| Pinballs Store | Exhibitor listed on the official 2026 vendors page |
For accommodation, the official site has a dedicated Hotel Reservations page.
Stay tuned
Between now and October we will share what we can confirm: our location as soon as we know it, what we are packing, and the programme highlights as they are published. Nothing before we are sure — that is the rule we set ourselves.
Will you be in Schaumburg in October? Tell us through our contact page: we would love to know who to look out for. And if you have a machine that refuses to boot, a temperamental display or a battery that has done damage, write to us before the show with a few photos: we will arrive with the answer ready.
Finally, to keep track of the season's other dates, our calendar of upcoming pinball events (shows and tournaments) is updated regularly.
FAQ
When and where does Pinball Expo 2026 take place?
From 14 to 17 October 2026, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60173, in the Chicago area (USA).
Is Pinballs Store really an exhibitor?
Yes: Pinballs Store appears in the official exhibitor list ("Pinball Expo 2026 Vendors") published on pinballexpo.com. It is our first time. Our booth number, however, is not known yet: the 2026 floor plan had not been published as of 13 July 2026.
How much is admission?
As of 13 July 2026, the official Admission page lists $55-60 for a single day, $160 for a 3-day pass and $240 for the Full Registration Package (seminars, Bumper Blast party and Stern factory tour included). Free for kids 10 and under. Pre-registration is recommended.
What will I see at the Pinballs Store booth?
Our FPGA-based replacement boards for Gottlieb System 1 and System 80/80A/80B, Williams System 3 to 7 and Bally/Stern 1977-1985. You will be able to see them, handle them, ask your questions and describe your machine's fault to get an opinion. We only sell boards: no machines, no toppers, no accessories.
What warranty do your boards carry?
A 6-month warranty (parts and labour) against any failure not caused by misuse, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. Technical support is free.
Where can I find the detailed show schedule?
On the Schedule of Events page of the official site. Note: the schedule is built throughout the year, as speakers and events are confirmed. The organisers invite you to check back from the end of the summer.
Sources & official information
- pinballexpo.com — official site: dates, venue, 2026 exhibitors, seminars, tournaments, Bumper Blast, history
- pinballexpo.com/admission — ticketing, prices, hall hours
- pinballexpo.com/events-schedule — official schedule
- pinballexpo.com/tournament-schedule — tournaments
- pinballexpo.com/hotel-reservations — accommodation
Information verified on 13 July 2026 on pinballexpo.com. As the 2026 programme is still being finalised, some elements (hours, speakers, floor plan, prices) may change before October.
