Location
Format Details
| Event Name : | Main Tournament |
| Qualifying Format : | Pin-Golf Qualifying |
| Finals Format : | Match Play |
| Player Limit : | 144 |
| Unlimited Qualifying? : | No |
Tournament Overview
Registration for this tournament opens on November 01, 2025
Start Date: March 06, 2026
End Date: March 08, 2026
The IFPA and ORD Pinball are teaming up to host a pinball tradition unlike any other . . .
The IFPA Pin-Masters will be held March 6th-8th, 2026 at ORD Pinball in West Chicago, IL.
Below you will find important information about the tournament including how to qualify, tournament format, prize breakdown and more!
Any questions please contact the IFPA at ifpapinball@gmail.com.
WHERE ARE THE IFPA PIN-MASTERS GOING TO BE HELD?
ORD Pinball
850 Meadowview
Crossing #10
West Chicago, IL 60185
HOW DO YOU QUALIFY TO PLAY IN THE IFPA PIN-MASTERS?
The tournament is open for anyone to participate in. Players need to pre-register with the IFPA once registration opens. There will be 2 tee times available (10am and 3pm). Players will rank their preference with respect to a preferred start time, and the IFPA will do our best to accommodate. We are currently limiting the field for the IFPA Pin-Masters to 144 players, 72 for each tee time. Please note spots will be RESERVED for any player that qualifies for the IFPA North American Pinball Championship.
Each participant is guaranteed 2 full rounds with their paid admission into the tournament. The top 24 players after these Qualifying rounds will advance to the Finals, which will be 4-player group play continuing to use our golf scoring. The top 4 players not in the top 24 that are ranked 1001+ in the World Pinball Player Rankings will advance to the Novice Final.
WHAT GAMES WILL BE USED IN THE TOURNAMENT TO MAKE UP THE PIN-GOLF COURSE?
Tournament games will consist of 18 games spanning all eras (Electromechanical through the latest DMD/LCD games). The game list will be published prior to the tournament so participants have plenty of time to get familiar with game rules and develop a strategy beforehand, although this list is tentative and is subject to change leading up to the event.
QUALIFYING ROUNDS
Players will complete 2 rounds of 9 Pin-Holes during Qualifying. Each Pin-Hole will consist of a pinball machine with a target score. The number of balls it takes for the player to reach that target score will represent the number of Pin-Strokes earned for that hole. Should a player not reach the target score after a full game is completed, a stroke value will be determined based on how close the player was to the target score at the end of their game.
For example, the target score of CSI may be set at 10 million points. A player will continue playing the game until he reaches 10 million points. If reached, the number of balls it took to reach that score will be recorded for that Pin-Hole. If the player fails to reach the target score after 5 balls are played, they will be awarded a score based on how close they were to that target:
8,000,000 - 9,999,990 points = 6 strokes [80% of par]
6,000,000 - 7,999,990 points = 7 strokes [60% of par]
4,000,000 - 5,999,990 points = 8 strokes [40% of par]
2,000,000 - 3,999,990 points = 9 strokes [20% of par]
0 - 1,999,990 points = 10 strokes [<20% of par]
A maximum of 10 Pin-Strokes per Pin-Hole will be enforced.
The 24 players with the lowest Pin-Stroke total after their 2 qualifying rounds will advance to the Final Round to be held Saturday night/Sunday morning. The Final Round consists of 4-player group play, with 4 games per round using the same golf scoring.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Entry fee is $250 per player, which is payable through the IFPA website at the time of registration.
Fee breakdown:
- $40 hosting fee
- $25 in processing fees (Stripe fees + Stern Pro Circuit + IFPA sanctioning + trophy costs)
- $185 towards prize money for IFPA Pin-Masters
Cancellations are refunded 50% of their registration fee.
PRIZE PACKAGE
1st place – NIB Stern Pro Pinball Machine + Trophy
2nd place – 22% of the prize pool + Plaque
3rd place – 14% of the prize pool + Plaque
4th place – 8% of the prize pool + Plaque
5th through 8th place – 6% of the prize pool each
9th through 16th place – 3% of the prize pool each
17th through 24th place – 1% of the prize pool each
Novice Champion - Plaque
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, 9am - 10am -> PRACTICE SESSION
Friday, 10am - 3pm -> GROUP 1 QUALIFYING
Friday, 3pm - 8pm -> GROUP 2 QUALIFYING
Saturday, 10am - 3pm -> GROUP 1 QUALIFYING
Saturday, 3pm - 8pm -> GROUP 2 QUALIFYING
Saturday, 8pm-11pm -> TIEBREAKERS + ROUND OF 24 FINALS
Sunday, 9am - 4pm -> TOP 16 through remainder of FINALS
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
Please contact the IFPA at ifpapinball@gmail.com with any questions or comments you may have.
The IFPA Pin-Masters will be held March 6th-8th, 2026 at ORD Pinball in West Chicago, IL.
Below you will find important information about the tournament including how to qualify, tournament format, prize breakdown and more!
Any questions please contact the IFPA at ifpapinball@gmail.com.
WHERE ARE THE IFPA PIN-MASTERS GOING TO BE HELD?
ORD Pinball
850 Meadowview
Crossing #10
West Chicago, IL 60185
HOW DO YOU QUALIFY TO PLAY IN THE IFPA PIN-MASTERS?
The tournament is open for anyone to participate in. Players need to pre-register with the IFPA once registration opens. There will be 2 tee times available (10am and 3pm). Players will rank their preference with respect to a preferred start time, and the IFPA will do our best to accommodate. We are currently limiting the field for the IFPA Pin-Masters to 144 players, 72 for each tee time. Please note spots will be RESERVED for any player that qualifies for the IFPA North American Pinball Championship.
Each participant is guaranteed 2 full rounds with their paid admission into the tournament. The top 24 players after these Qualifying rounds will advance to the Finals, which will be 4-player group play continuing to use our golf scoring. The top 4 players not in the top 24 that are ranked 1001+ in the World Pinball Player Rankings will advance to the Novice Final.
WHAT GAMES WILL BE USED IN THE TOURNAMENT TO MAKE UP THE PIN-GOLF COURSE?
Tournament games will consist of 18 games spanning all eras (Electromechanical through the latest DMD/LCD games). The game list will be published prior to the tournament so participants have plenty of time to get familiar with game rules and develop a strategy beforehand, although this list is tentative and is subject to change leading up to the event.
QUALIFYING ROUNDS
Players will complete 2 rounds of 9 Pin-Holes during Qualifying. Each Pin-Hole will consist of a pinball machine with a target score. The number of balls it takes for the player to reach that target score will represent the number of Pin-Strokes earned for that hole. Should a player not reach the target score after a full game is completed, a stroke value will be determined based on how close the player was to the target score at the end of their game.
For example, the target score of CSI may be set at 10 million points. A player will continue playing the game until he reaches 10 million points. If reached, the number of balls it took to reach that score will be recorded for that Pin-Hole. If the player fails to reach the target score after 5 balls are played, they will be awarded a score based on how close they were to that target:
8,000,000 - 9,999,990 points = 6 strokes [80% of par]
6,000,000 - 7,999,990 points = 7 strokes [60% of par]
4,000,000 - 5,999,990 points = 8 strokes [40% of par]
2,000,000 - 3,999,990 points = 9 strokes [20% of par]
0 - 1,999,990 points = 10 strokes [<20% of par]
A maximum of 10 Pin-Strokes per Pin-Hole will be enforced.
The 24 players with the lowest Pin-Stroke total after their 2 qualifying rounds will advance to the Final Round to be held Saturday night/Sunday morning. The Final Round consists of 4-player group play, with 4 games per round using the same golf scoring.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Entry fee is $250 per player, which is payable through the IFPA website at the time of registration.
Fee breakdown:
- $40 hosting fee
- $25 in processing fees (Stripe fees + Stern Pro Circuit + IFPA sanctioning + trophy costs)
- $185 towards prize money for IFPA Pin-Masters
Cancellations are refunded 50% of their registration fee.
PRIZE PACKAGE
1st place – NIB Stern Pro Pinball Machine + Trophy
2nd place – 22% of the prize pool + Plaque
3rd place – 14% of the prize pool + Plaque
4th place – 8% of the prize pool + Plaque
5th through 8th place – 6% of the prize pool each
9th through 16th place – 3% of the prize pool each
17th through 24th place – 1% of the prize pool each
Novice Champion - Plaque
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, 9am - 10am -> PRACTICE SESSION
Friday, 10am - 3pm -> GROUP 1 QUALIFYING
Friday, 3pm - 8pm -> GROUP 2 QUALIFYING
Saturday, 10am - 3pm -> GROUP 1 QUALIFYING
Saturday, 3pm - 8pm -> GROUP 2 QUALIFYING
Saturday, 8pm-11pm -> TIEBREAKERS + ROUND OF 24 FINALS
Sunday, 9am - 4pm -> TOP 16 through remainder of FINALS
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
Please contact the IFPA at ifpapinball@gmail.com with any questions or comments you may have.
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|---|---|---|---|
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