Key points
- Stern Pinball holds ninety percent of the current pinball market share.
- The company showcased a new Fallout-themed table at the 2026 expo.
- Hobbyist projects and open development kits are growing in popularity.
Stern Pinball maintains its dominant position in the industry by controlling ninety percent of the market, according to Ars Technica. The company highlighted this status at the Pinball Expo 2026 in Illinois, where it displayed its latest licensed creations. This event serves as a central gathering for manufacturers, designers and fans to view new hardware and discuss the future of the mechanical entertainment sector.
How it unfolded
- Hundreds of people gathered outside Stern Pinball’s headquarters in Elk Grove, Illinois, on a fall Friday morning to tour the facility before the main expo.
- Visitors entered the factory to see raw parts being assembled into licensed machines, including a new Fallout table, before heading to the convention center in Schaumburg.
- Gary Stern provided historical context for the company’s forty-year history, while designer George Gomez outlined tour rules and confirmed the firm’s ninety percent market share.
Who is affected
The pinball industry is experiencing a resurgence, moving away from perceptions of decline to a period of significant growth and innovation. While Stern Pinball remains the primary market leader, the remaining ten percent of the market is active with diverse competitors. Manufacturers such as Jersey Jack, Barrels of Fun and Spooky Pinball are introducing new machines to the expo floor. This competitive landscape ensures that consumers have multiple options beyond the dominant brand.
What happens next
The focus is shifting toward hobbyist engagement and open-source development within the pinball community. Ars Technica reports that modular home setups and open development kits are becoming more common, allowing enthusiasts to design their own games. This trend suggests that the future of pinball will include both commercial manufacturing and independent creative projects. The tactile nature of the machines continues to attract fans despite decades of advances in digital home entertainment.
The background in plain language
Pinball machines are electromechanical games that use a steel ball and flippers to score points. Market share indicates the portion of total sales controlled by one company. A dominant market share means one brand sells most of the products, which can limit consumer choice. Hobbyist projects involve fans building or modifying machines using open tools. Understanding these concepts helps explain why one company’s dominance matters while smaller creators still thrive in niche areas of the industry.
What to do and how to stay safe: Stern Pinball
- Check local convention schedules to see if pinball expos are coming to your region.
- Review open-source development kits if you are interested in designing your own pinball games.
- Compare tables from multiple manufacturers to understand the variety available outside the dominant brand.
- Visit factory tours or manufacturer websites to learn about the production process and new releases.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Stern Pinball's current market share?
Stern Pinball controls ninety percent of the current pinball market, according to Ars Technica.
What new product did Stern showcase at the expo?
The company displayed a new Fallout-themed pinball table at the 2026 event.
Are there other pinball manufacturers at the expo?
Yes, manufacturers like Jersey Jack, Barrels of Fun and Spooky Pinball also showed machines.
