# AAMA Accepting Apps: 2027 FEC of the Year

**Source:** Replay Magazine  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2026-06-02  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.replaymag.com/aama-accepting-apps-2027-fec-of-the-year/

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## Analysis

AAMA is accepting applications for their 2027 FEC (Family Entertainment Center) of the Year award, following Star Lanes Polaris's 2026 win. Finalists receive professional secret shopper evaluations. Applications are due by June 30.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Star Lanes Polaris was selected as AAMA's 2026 FEC of the Year — _Replay Magazine article; AAMA official announcement_
- [HIGH] Finalists receive professional secret shopper evaluation reports as part of the competition — _AAMA official statement quoted in article_
- [HIGH] Applications for 2027 FEC of the Year are due by June 30 — _AAMA official announcement in article_

### Notable Quotes

> "The top finalists selected during the judging process will each receive a professional secret shopper evaluation report as part of the competition experience. These detailed reports provide meaningful feedback on the guest experience, operations, service standards and overall facility performance – offering valuable takeaways that can help elevate business success long after the competition concludes."
> — **AAMA**
> _Official AAMA statement explaining the value and scope of the FEC of the Year competition to applicants_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| AAMA | organization | Amusement & Music Operators Association; administers FEC of the Year awards |
| Star Lanes Polaris | venue | 2026 FEC of the Year winner; location-based entertainment venue |
| Alley Cats Burleson | venue | Past FEC of the Year winner |
| Elev8 Adventure Park | venue | Past FEC of the Year winner |
| Rev'd up Fun | venue | Past FEC of the Year winner |
| Wild Island Coconut Bowl | venue | Past FEC of the Year winner |
| Xtreme Action Park | venue | Past FEC of the Year winner |
| Pinstack Las Colinas | venue | Past FEC of the Year winner; pinball-adjacent venue |
| Amusement Expo 2026 | event | Trade show where Star Lanes Polaris was pictured as FEC of the Year winner |

### Signals

- **[venue_signal]** AAMA FEC of the Year award program recognizes excellence in family entertainment centers and provides competitive feedback through secret shopper evaluations (confidence: high) — AAMA accepting applications for 2027 FEC of the Year; finalists receive professional evaluation reports
- **[industry_signal]** Family entertainment center industry (adjacent to pinball via venue placement) remains active with competitive recognition programs and operational standards evaluation (confidence: high) — AAMA FEC of the Year awards program with multiple past winners; Pinstack Las Colinas (pinball venue) is listed as past winner

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## Transcript

Following their 2026 selection of Star Lanes Polaris (pictured below at the 2026 Amusement Expo), AAMA is now accepting applications for their next FEC of the Year. Other past winners include Alley Cats Burleson, Elev8 Adventure Park, Rev’d up Fun, Wild Island Coconut Bowl, Xtreme Action Park and Pinstack Las Colinas. “The top finalists selected during the judging process will each receive a professional secret shopper evaluation report as part of the competition experience,” the association explained. “These detailed reports provide meaningful feedback on the guest experience, operations, service standards and overall facility performance – offering valuable takeaways that can help elevate business success long after the competition concludes.” Click here to fill out the form or visit www.coin-op.org. Applications are due by June 30.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v5)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-06-06 | Item ID: 24b5a990-1e12-41e0-8c97-1f7b0c727e47*