Pinball ♥ NYC – The International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA) Opens Headquarters in Big Apple
The International Flipper Pinball Association is pleased to announce the opening of the organization’s official headquarters at Modern Pinball NYC located at 362 3rd Avenue between 26th and 27th Streets in the heart of the city’s Gramercy Park.
Steve Epstein, Co-Chairman and IFPA Co-Founder, and Steve Zahler have taken the wraps off their latest venture. With Mr. Epstein’s more than 35 years of experience as the owner/operator of the world famous Broadway Arcade in the heart of Manhattan and Steve Zahler’s technical and retail marketing expertise, both are ready to elevate the pinball experience within the walls of Modern Pinball NYC. As the premier interactive showroom, Modern Pinball NYC will celebrate the best machines from a variety of eras and stage special events and charity fund raisers along with pinball leagues and tournaments.
“I am incredibly excited to get back into business,” stated Mr. Epstein. “It is something that I have wanted to do for a very long time ever since we closed the doors on The Broadway Arcade, but I was never able to get the right site or the necessary support. If I had not met Steve Zahler three years ago I do not believe the dream of getting back in the game would have happened. He brings not only an immense passion for pinball, but the technical expertise of a super programmer that will transform our location into a unique pinball experience. With the addition of Al Cihak (The Godfather of NY pinball) who makes the perfect marriage of passion and exceptional operating and Eddie Cramer who adds the dimension of a top pinball restorer, Francesco LaRocca, Alberto Santana, Kevin McHugh and Steve Bowden as Tournament Director, the team is complete. We have the whole package, operations, technical know-how, and the best in competitive experience. We are proud to represent the IFPA in all ways.”
Asked whether events will be held at the facility, Mr. Epstein replied, “There will definitely be leagues and tournaments on a regular basis but, more so, will be the outreach for special promotional programs and other events all with the express purpose of exposing pinball to a much broader and growing audience. Modern Pinball NYC will showcase the best that is pinball and to have the IFPA headquarters based here is icing on the cake.”
The International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA) 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 (over 450 events are being held annually) and other promotional activities.
“The staggering and explosive growth of the entire worldwide community of pinball players and enthusiasts has been nothing short of remarkable since we re-launched the IFPA just a few years ago. And the future has never looked brighter for pinball with tournaments and leagues taking place around the world on an almost weekly basis,” states Roger Sharpe, Co-Chairman and IFPA Co-Founder. I could not be happier for Steve Epstein and Modern Pinball NYC because I know it is going to become the must visit place for everyone in the tri-state area.”
The World Pinball Tour of IFPA endorsed events feature over $500,000 in cash and prizes given away each year. With twenty-five international country directors, the IFPA has additionally created the first official player ranking system, which awards points based upon player performance. The World Pinball Player Rankings (WPPR) includes over 21,000 players from 40 different countries. And these numbers keep increasing with the revered entertainment attraction—pinball—continuing to draw in men, women, boys and girls—all looking to embrace the timeless battle of man versus machine.
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