Team USA currently holds the Epstein Cup for another 10 days before it is once again up for grabs at IFPA16 in Italy on Thursday night June 6th.

8 players per side earn the right to represent their country in this prestigious event, so let’s take a closer look at the rosters for both sides.

Team USA includes:

• Current world ranked #1 and 2-time Major Champion Raymond Davidson from Mukilteo, WA
• 2-time Major Finalist Trent Augenstein from Delaware, OH
• 2-time Major Champion Cayle George from Seattle, WA
• 1-time Major Champion Zach Sharpe from Chicago
• 1-time Major Champion Robert Gagno from Burnaby, Canada
• World ranked #25 David Riel from Pittsburgh, PA
• 1-time Major Champion Colin Macalpine from Austin, TX
• 1-time Major Champion Jim Belsito from Murrieta, CA

The 8 members of Team USA 2019 have accounted for 8 Major Championships along with 36 Major Championship Top 4’s.

Team Europe includes:

• 4-time Major Champion Daniele Celestino Acciari from Italy
• World ranked #4 Johannes Ostermeier from Germany
• 2-time Major Champion Albert Nomden from the Netherlands
• 4-time Major Finalist Mats Runsten from Sweden
• 7-time Major Champion Jorian Engelbrektsson from Sweden
• 1-time Major Champion Robert Sutter from Switzerland
• 1-time Major Champion Levente Tregova from Switzerland
• World ranked #39 Erno Rotter from Germany.

The 8 members of Team Europe 2019 have accounted for 15 Major Championships won along with 31 Major Championship Top 4’s.

For more details on the event, click HERE.

ABC news in Australia published a piece on Jason Lambert who will be representing Australia at the upcoming IFPA16 World Pinball Championship in Italy. Click HERE to read the piece.

The lead up to the IFPA16 World Pinball Championship is officially here! Adam Becker is enjoying an Italy vacation leading up to the pinball festivities. Unfortunately this will mean a delay to calendar and results approvals.

We know how anxious tournament directors and players are to see their calendar submissions approved and results posted quickly, so we wanted to let you know that approvals will not be happening until after IFPA16 commences.

If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard back from the IFPA regarding your event, that’s why.

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Next Friday 5/24 will be the premiere episode of the exclusive new Stern Insider All-Access live event series, “Between Two Sterns” featuring your host, Jack Danger and our first guest, “the King” Steve Ritchie! This live event series is only available to Stern Insiders with All-Access so don’t miss out! https://sternpinball.com/stern-insider/

12News ABC/NBC in Beaumont, TX aired a feature on the Moncla family’s commitment to pinball. Click HERE to watch the piece.

The CNE Pinball Championships (CNEPC) returns for its third year and it is bigger than ever before! Held at the CNE Gaming Garage powered by AMD, the CNEPC will be taking place from August 16 to 18, 2019 and will feature three separate daily Classic Tournaments as well as a three day Main Tournament. Plus, not only will this year’s CNEPC have $10,000 in cash prizes, but players can also improve their IFPA ranking with IFPA points!

The CNE is Canada’s largest annual fair and an incredible opportunity for pinball players to not only play in this pinball event but compete in front of a massive and engaged audience unlike anywhere else. After players finish the competition, they can enjoy all of the wonders that the CNE has to offer. From the rides in the Midway, to the wacky food, to the creative shows and exhibits – the CNE has something for everyone!

Don’t miss your opportunity to participate in CNEPC. For information about this event and how to register visit www.theex.com/CNEGamingGarage

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Set Sail for the Summer with Captain’s Arcade Warehouse
Arcade Game & Pinball Machine Auction
A two day Event!

June 7th – 3pm Star – Doors Open @1pm
June 8th – 11am Start – Preview @9am

Click on link to view catalog and register:
https://bid.captainsauctionwarehouse.com/

Jimmy Leingang  out of Madison, WI finished 2018 as the 847th ranked pinball player in the world. This qualified him for the Stern Rewards Program for finishing the year ranked in the top 1000. The rewards program allows qualifiers to purchase a brand new Stern pinball machine at a special IFPA price. Jimmy redeemed his reward for a Deadpool Pro.

So far in 2019, Jimmy has participated in 12 IFPA sanctioned events and remains in the top 1000 ranked players in the world (ranked 907th currently). He’s also currently sitting in 39th in the Wisconsin SCS qualifying for this season.

Congratulations to Jimmy, and remember if you’re interested in qualifying for the Stern Rewards Program, check out the rules here.

Kenny Bell from MyBookie posted an article on the upcoming NYC Pinball Championships 2019. Click HERE to read the article.

FOX4 in Kansas City visited newly crowned Women’s World Champion Keri Wing at the 403 Club in Kansas City. Click HERE to watch the piece.