Pinball Expo 2026 is underway at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois, running October 14 through October 17. Organizers bill the four-day gathering as the world's longest-running annual pinball convention, now in its 42nd year, according to CBS News Chicago.

What can visitors do at Pinball Expo 2026?

The show brings together collectors, competitive players and independent machine builders from around the world. Attendees can play hundreds of free-play games and enter tournaments, including one on especially challenging 1930s machines that predate flippers, event founder Rob Berk told the Daily Herald.

Hobbyists get their own space in an expanded Homebrew Village, which features more than 45 custom games and prototypes built by independent creators, according to Marco Pinball. The lineup reportedly includes machines themed around Cuphead, Fallout and Sonic the Hedgehog.

Competitive play also gets a new showcase: the inaugural IFPA Digital Pinball World Championship is scheduled for October 17, organized with AtGames.

Why are factory tours part of the expo?

Suburban Chicago has long been the primary hub for commercial pinball production, and this year's schedule includes behind-the-scenes tours of assembly plants in nearby Elk Grove Village. Visitors can tour the facilities of Jersey Jack Pinball and Stern Pinball, which is marking its 40th anniversary during the event, the Daily Herald reported.

Berk told the paper he has favored the Chicago area for the expo because it is so closely tied to the industry's history. Organizers expected attendance to top last year's record of roughly 6,000 visitors, citing growing international interest and social media attention.

What else is on the schedule?

  • Jersey Jack Pinball is bringing its new Sonic the Hedgehog game, along with a related costume contest and a Guinness World Record holder for the largest collection of Sonic memorabilia.
  • The expo continues through Saturday, when doors run from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.
  • Admission is $60.

FAQ

When and where is Pinball Expo 2026?

It runs October 14 through October 17 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive in Schaumburg, Illinois.

How much does admission cost?

Admission is $60, and Saturday hours run from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.