2016 Press Release

THE UNITED STATES OF PINBALL

The Nation’s Best Wizards Compete To Take Home The Crown

It has been a year of remarkable growth for America’s enduring leisure time entertainment icon as pinball has burst back on the scene with its own unique and captivating charms. With a history dating back 145 years, the lure of the silverball has never been stronger, especially when it comes to competitive pinball.  From coast to coast, with over 1800 tournaments staged during the year, and 9,900 players putting their flipper skills and endurance to the test, it all comes down to a single day for 560 of America’s finest pinball wizards representing 35 different states.

It is with pleasure that The International Flipper Pinball Association is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual IFPA State Championship Series finale to take place on Saturday, February 13th. An incredibly ambitious undertaking, the competition is based on tracking the World Pinball Player Rankings (WPPR) performance of players in all IFPA endorsed tournaments on a state-by-state basis throughout the year. And calendar year 2015 proved to be one of the most active and successful times for pinball as the revival and renaissance continued without missing a flip.

This resurgence in pinball has captured the fascination and attention of both the young and young as heart not only throughout the United States but also across the globe with over 38,000 players now ranked and more than 2,700 different events and competitions being staged annually. And these numbers have kept increasing at a dramatic rate.

In just ten short years, the International Flipper Pinball Association has been able to provide support, guidance and a structure to solidify all of these players and competitions with the help of over two dozen different IFPA country directors leading the charge. The result has over $1 million in cash and prizes awarded during the past twelve months.

Each of the state champions will win a spot in the National Championship to be staged at the world famous Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas on March 17th for what promises to be one of the most intense pinball marathons ever held.

The International Flipper Pinball Association was created with the express purpose of encouraging, supporting and endorsing competitive pinball throughout the world. The organization provides oversight and assistance to not only establishing pinball leagues, but also tournaments, and other promotional activities.

“There is a surge in pinball popularity taking place globally which is immensely gratifying”, states Roger Sharpe, Co-Chairman of the IFPA. “It is truly a timeless game that has continued to evolve with technological advancements that keeps pinball on the cutting edge. We are seeing new locations and businesses opening their arms to the magic of pinball with the net result that millions of players are taking part in this totally immersive and tactile experience that defines pinball.”

The IFPA is sponsored by Stern Pinball, Jersey Jack Pinball, Heighway Pinball, Nitro Amusements, Zen Studios, Raw Thrills, Planetary Pinball Supply, Bay Area Amusements, Brady Distributing Company,  Color DMD, Double Danger Pinball Accessories, Tilt Amusements, Betson Enterprises, Raw Thrills, Farsight Studios, Game Exchange of Colorado, HyperPin, Play Meter Magazine, Suzo Happ, Rocky Mountain Pinball Showdown, the Professional and Amateur Pinball Association, the Amusement and Music Operators Association, and the American Amusement Manufacturers Association.

For more information regarding the IFPA or any of its participants, please contact International Flipper Pinball Association Vice President Zach Sharpe (ifpapinballPR@gmail.com) or check the organization website: www.ifpapinball.com.