The Kansas City Pinball Championship is a celebrated annual event that has been captivating the hearts of pinball enthusiasts since its inception in 2018. Founded by Keri Wing, a distinguished women's world pinball champion, this championship stands as a testament to the enduring passion for pinball within the community. Over the years, it has evolved into a remarkable gathering, drawing aficionados from far and wide.
What sets this tournament apart is not only its rich history but also its unwavering mission to foster camaraderie and competition in the pinball community. The championship is more than just a single tournament; it's a multi-day extravaganza consisting of a main tournament and several side tournaments. Operated entirely by dedicated volunteers and supported by the non-profit organization, "Kansas City Pinball," the event embodies the spirit of grassroots enthusiasm. Notably, the pinnacle of achievement in this championship is winning the main competition and having one's name inscribed on the illustrious Kevin Wing Memorial Trophy, an honor that resonates deeply with every pinball enthusiast.
Qualifying runs from 6:00pm to 10:00pm.
12 games for qualifying, with your best 8 counting toward your final card. PAPA-style scoring (100/90/85/84...).
The qualifying bank includes 4 modern, 4 mid, and 4 early games.
Closing time, you don't have to go home but you can't stay here. Get some rest for the next day.
Qualifying resumes at noon and runs until 10:00pm.
12 games for qualifying, with your best 8 counting toward your final card. PAPA-style scoring (100/90/85/84...).
The qualifying bank includes 4 modern, 4 mid, and 4 early games. The top half of players advance to A Division.
Main finals begin Saturday, November 14 at 10:00am. Meaningful tiebreakers take place Saturday morning.
Four hours of group matchplay with Pinburgh-style scoring (3/2/1/0).
The top 8 players advance to the side tournament finals.
The top 8 play a two-game matchplay final, with a third game including all players in the event of a tie.
Closing time. Again, you don't have to go home but you can't stay here. Get some rest for tomorrow
Meaningful qualifying tiebreakers take place Saturday morning. Exact start time to be announced.
The top half of players advance to A Division. Finals use elimination match play, best of 3 games.
For A Division, the top qualifier chooses each game from the qualifying bank. Each game must be from a different era: modern, mid, and early.
A player cannot choose the same game in consecutive rounds, but may choose it again in a later round.
B Division follows the same format, with game selection expanded to the rest of the games at Solid State Pinball Supply.
Depending on player numbers, byes may be used and will be announced on Friday.
Wrap up/awards/closing time
Sunday Service Classics is a bonus event separate from KCPC and is not part of the Kansas City Pinball Championship.
Registration opens on the day of the tournament. Player limit: 64.
Tournament director: Dan Turner. View the IFPA listing.
Classics only: electromechanical and early solid-state machines. No dot matrix display or LCD games.
Group match play using PAPA scoring (4/2/1/0), with one-game rounds in four-player groups whenever possible.
Fewer than 8 players: the top 50% advance. With 8–31 players, the top 8 advance. With 32 or more players, the top 16 advance.
Finals use a single-elimination bracket with single-game matches.
Only 64 tickets available. 20 game entries, and game pass for all days included. Additional qualifying entries are $5 for 2, $10 for 5. You can buy them at the event as you need them.
Thursday Nov 12th - Qualifying begins at 6pm till SSPS closes at 10pm
Friday Nov 13th - Qualifying resumes at Noon until SSPS closes at 10pm
Saturday Nov 14th - Finals begins at 10am!
Nov 13th 2026, starting at 6pm going until 10pm
Timed Matchplay - Pinburgh style scoring (3/2/1/0)
Players will play in group matchplay for 4 hours with the top 8 players moving on to a two game matchplay finals (a 3rd game including all players in the event of a tie).
Sunday, Nov 15. Doors at 10am; qualifying 10:30am–12:30pm. A bonus tournament separate from KCPC.
EM and early solid-state games only. One-game group matchplay rounds with PAPA scoring (4/2/1/0).
Finals at 12:30pm: single-game elimination. Top 50% advance with fewer than 8 players; top 8 with 8–31; top 16 with 32+.
About the Solid State Pinball Arcade
Solid State Pinball Supply is nestled in the heart of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, at 2529 Jefferson St, near the Pennway Point neighborhood, just up the hill from the KC Wheel.
This location has added more space to gather and play some of your favorite machines from the 60s to now. The black light room, the Star Trek room, the NES nestled in the social-light room and the frequently rotating machines are all additions to Solid State's new location that will have you coming back to play.
Solid State hosts weekly leagues, several monthly tournaments (3rd Sundays - Sunday Service, 4th Saturdays - Strikeout, 4th Sundays - Queens of Steel), birthday parties, corporate challenges/events and private events. The Try Hards who frequent Solid State are known to be some of the nicest and helpful pinball players around.
Solid State sells snacks, candy, ice cream, sodas, and water. There are several Mexican and other restaurants located just north on Southwest Boulevard, restaurants in Union Station to the north east, Crown Center to the east, as well as bars and breweries close by. Take the free KC Streetcar at Union Station and explore more of downtown, River Market, Midtown, the Country Club Plaza or the UMKC university areas.
Enter 2529 Jefferson Street, Kansas City MO 64108 in your Google or Apple Maps and it will easily direct you to Solid State.
If you're coming from the downtown Kansas City area, head south on Broadway/West Pennway until you reach W 25th Street. Take a right onto W 25th Street and then an immediate left on Jefferson. You'll find 2529 on your left - look for the Solid State signage near the Soccer Lot. Parking is first come, first serve in the lot.
Parking in the lot is on a first come, first served basis. Ride sharing is encouraged and Uber is available. See the map below showing available parking.