# UK PINFEST

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2024-08-17  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2024/08/17/uk-pinfest

---

## Analysis

UK Pinfest 2024 was held August 16-18 at the Mercure Daventry Court Hotel in Northamptonshire, featuring 155 pinball machines, multiple tournaments (Pinball Classics, UK Pinfest Open, NBA Challenge, Ladies Competition), vendor exhibits, and talks by American Pinball and VPin Workshop representatives. The show included social events, charity fundraising, and competitive play across vintage and modern titles.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] UK Pinfest 2024 featured 155 pinball machines at the show — _Full machine list provided by Paul Garner; explicitly stated 'In total there were 155 pinballs at the show this year'_
- [HIGH] UK Pinfest has been held at the same venue (Mercure Daventry Court Hotel) for all seven shows since 2018 — _Article states 'all seven shows have been held at this same venue' and 'The Mercure Daventry Court first became the home of the annual UK pinball show in 2010'_
- [HIGH] 2024 show was held a week earlier than usual (mid-August instead of late August) due to bank holiday scheduling — _'The show has traditionally been held on the last weekend in August...This year, however, just for this 2024 show we are back in Daventry a week earlier'_
- [HIGH] Ladies Competition grand prize was £1,000 ($1,294/€1,173) — _Explicitly stated in competition details_
- [HIGH] Marc Silk provided voice work for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Stern), Funhouse: Rudy's Nightmare (Pedretti), Whirlwind: Total Chaos (Pedretti), and Labyrinth (Barrels of Fun) — _Direct quote from article about voice artist Marc Silk encountered at the show_

### Notable Quotes

> "The Mercure Daventry Court first became the home of the annual UK pinball show in 2010 when five UK Pinball Party events were held there, but after a two year hiatus without a national pinball show, Phillip Murphy stepped up to stage the first UK Pinfest."
> — **Article/Pinball News**, Background/History section
> _Establishes continuity of UK Pinfest at this venue and role of organizer Phillip Murphy_

> "In total there were 155 pinballs at the show this year."
> — **Article**, Machine inventory section
> _Key metric for show scale and draw_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| UK Pinfest | event | Major annual UK pinball show and community gathering held at Mercure Daventry Court Hotel; began 2018; features tournaments, vendor exhibits, talks, and social events |
| Mercure Daventry Court Hotel | organization | Venue for UK Pinfest; located in Sedgemore Way, Daventry, Northants, NN11 0SG, UK; has hosted show continuously since 2018 |
| Phillip Murphy | person | Organizer of UK Pinfest; stepped up to organize first UK Pinfest in 2018 after two-year hiatus in UK national pinball shows |
| American Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer with presence at UK Pinfest 2024; David Fix (Executive Vice-President) gave talk on company history and changes since December 2020 |
| David Fix | person | Executive Vice-President of American Pinball; joined company December 2020; participated in interview/talk at UK Pinfest about career and company evolution |
| Barrels of Fun | company | Pinball manufacturer; produced Labyrinth game featuring voice work by Marc Silk |
| Marc Silk | person | Voice artist who provided vocals for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Stern), Funhouse: Rudy's Nightmare (Pedretti), Whirlwind: Total Chaos (Pedretti), and Labyrinth (Barrels of Fun) |
| VPin Workshop | company | Virtual pinball platform/organization; Toby (SixToe) gave talk at UK Pinfest 2024 about virtual pinball origins and platform capabilities |
| Toby/SixToe | person | Representative from VPin Workshop; conducted talk on virtual pinball development and platforms at UK Pinfest |
| Claire Lickman | person | Winner of UK Pinfest 2024 Ladies Competition with 7 points; played on Cactus Canyon, Gigi, and KISS |
| Helena Walter Higgins | person | Competitive pinball player; won StallBall competition at UK Pinfest 2024; finished third in Ladies Competition final |
| Ailsa Clunie | person | Organizer of Ladies Competition at UK Pinfest 2024 |
| Retro Arcade Specialists | organization | Vendor at UK Pinfest 2024 featuring pinball machines including Labyrinth and This Is Spinal Tap |
| The Pinball Parlour | organization | Vendor at UK Pinfest 2024 run by Peter Heath; sold machines and parts including backglasses and plastics |
| Peter Heath | person | Operator of The Pinball Parlour; vendor at UK Pinfest 2024 selling machines and replacement parts |
| Martin Ayub | person | Editor of Pinball News; interviewed David Fix from American Pinball at UK Pinfest 2024 |
| Paul Garner | person | Compiled complete list of 155 pinball machines at UK Pinfest 2024 |
| Daniel Fligg | person | Created 360 time-lapse video of UK Pinfest setup; recorded YouTube content including talks |
| Barry O's Barbecue Challenge | game | Latest American Pinball title; displayed at UK Pinfest 2024 |
| Labyrinth | game | Barrels of Fun pinball game featuring voice work by Marc Silk; displayed at UK Pinfest 2024 |

### Topics

- **Primary:** UK Pinfest 2024 event coverage and logistics, Pinball tournaments and competitive play, Machine inventory and game lineup
- **Secondary:** Vendor exhibits and manufacturers, Community events and social programming, Women in pinball (Ladies Competition)
- **Mentioned:** Voice acting and audio design in pinball, Virtual pinball platforms

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.85) — Article presents UK Pinfest as a successful, well-organized event with strong attendance, diverse programming, and community enthusiasm. Tone is celebratory and descriptive throughout. No negative commentary or controversies discussed.

### Signals

- **[community_signal]** UK Pinfest demonstrates strong community participation with Ladies Competition (£1,000 prize), StallBall competition, NBA Challenge, and multiple tournament formats attracting diverse player skill levels (confidence: high) — Multiple tournament formats described with participation numbers and inclusive programming (Ladies Social event, Flip Frenzy implied by structure)
- **[event_signal]** UK Pinfest 2024 successfully executed with 155 machines, multiple tournaments, vendor exhibits, and programming; show expanded to occupy entire hotel (confidence: high) — Detailed coverage of venue logistics, machine count, tournament structure, and programming schedule across three-day weekend
- **[community_signal]** David Fix serves as EVP at American Pinball since December 2020, indicating leadership stability in manufacturer (confidence: high) — Talk content and biographical detail provided in article
- **[personnel_signal]** Marc Silk active as voice artist across multiple manufacturers (Stern, Pedretti, Barrels of Fun), indicating ongoing voice production work in pinball industry (confidence: high) — Direct identification of voice work on TMNT, Funhouse: Rudy's Nightmare, Whirlwind: Total Chaos, and Labyrinth
- **[technology_signal]** VPin Workshop presents at UK Pinfest discussing virtual pinball platform development and capabilities, indicating ongoing evolution of virtual pinball ecosystem (confidence: medium) — Toby from VPin Workshop conducted 4pm talk on virtual pinball origins and platform capabilities

---

## Transcript

**Date:** 16th-18th August 2024

**Location:**
Mercure Daventry Court Hotel, Sedgemore Way, Daventry, Northants, NN11 0SG, UK

The major pinball show in the UK is back, as UK Pinfest returns to the Mercure Daventry Court Hotel for another weekend of games, tournaments, social events and talks.

[![The Mercure Daventry Court hotel](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/001-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x664.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/001-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The Mercure Daventry Court hotel

UK Pinfest [began in 2018](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2018/08/24/uk-pinfest-2018-live/) and all seven shows have been held at this same venue. The Mercure Daventry Court first became the home of the annual UK pinball show in 2010 when five UK Pinball Party events were held there, but after a two year hiatus without a national pinball show, Phillip Murphy stepped up to stage the first UK Pinfest.

The show has traditionally been held on the last weekend in August which includes a bank (public) holiday on the following Monday. This year, however, just for this 2024 show we are back in Daventry a week earlier. Future shows are expected to return to the bank holiday weekend dates.

We arrived at the venue on Friday morning. The show didn’t officially open until 7pm on Friday evening, but many of the machines were set up on Thursday. This 360 time-lapse video from Daniel Fligg shows the machines arriving and the transformation of the empty Danetree Suite into this year’s UK Pinfest.

VIDEO

Setting up UK Pinfest 2024

The show has grown over the years to the point where it now takes over the whole hotel, occupying all the accommodation, the lobby, the show hall and all the conferencing rooms. That allows the lobby to be used for registration as well as some charity pay-to-play games and the pinballs for Saturday’s Ladies Competition.

[![The hotel's lobby area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/004-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/004-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The hotel’s lobby area

[![The registration desk in the hotel's lobby](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/002-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x686.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/002-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The registration desk in the hotel’s lobby

[![Machines for the Ladies Competition](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/003-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x663.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/003-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Machines for the Ladies Competition and UK Pinball League final

[![Guardians of the Galaxy, Cactus Canyon, Big House, Centaur, Gigi & Avatar](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/031-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/031-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Guardians of the Galaxy, Cactus Canyon, Big House, Centaur, Gigi & Avatar

A bank of desirable titles was on pay-to-play to raise funds for the [Yorkshire Heart Centre at Leeds General Infirmary](http://takeheart.net/).

[![Pay-to-play charity fundraising machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/036-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x570.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/036-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Pay-to-play charity fundraising machines:
Foo Fighters, James Bond 007, Venom, The Godfather and Tron: Legacy

There are several tournaments taking place during the show as well as some talks and presentations. Details of these were found on posters all around the hotel.

[![The schedule of events](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/011-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x692.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/011-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The schedule of events

[![Talks and presentations](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/014-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/014-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Talks and presentations

The talks by David from American Pinball and Toby from VPin Workshop will be held in the Priestly Room on Saturday afternoon.

[![The venue for the talks on Saturday afternoon](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/016-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/016-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The venue for the talks on Saturday afternoon

Al though the hotel has quite a large dining area, this is only used for the breakfast which is included in the special show hotel room rate. Meals are available later in the day, from a catering area set up in the lobby. Alternatively, food can be ordered for delivery to the hotel, while a pub and fish & chip shop are only a short walk away.

[![Food available in the hotel's lobby](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/006-uk-pinfest-2024-833x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/006-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Food available in the hotel’s lobby

Drinks are available all day and into the early hours of the morning from the bar. During show hours, a second bar is open in the main hall.

[![The hotel's main bar](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/005-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x682.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/005-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The hotel’s main bar

[![The bar in the main show hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/062-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/062-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The bar in the main show hall

Heading towards the corridor to the main show hall, on the left is a room where the Pinball Classics tournament is held.

[![The Pinball Classics Tournament's room](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/007-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x682.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/007-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The Pinball Classics Tournament’s room

Players could pre-register for £25 and order a pack which included entry tickets and a tournament T-shirt.

[![Pre-registration packs for collection](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/008-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/008-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Pre-registration packs for collection

[![T-shirts were also available to purchase](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/009-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x599.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/009-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

T-shirts were also available to purchase

The Pinball Classic tournament used eight machines with the top two scorers on each going through to the play-offs, with third or lower placed players also progressing if anyone is the in the top two on more than one machine. Overall, sixteen players move on to Sunday morning’s play-offs, which reduce them to eight and then a final four.

[![Machines for the Pinball Classic tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/012-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/012-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Machines for the Pinball Classic tournament

Qualifying began at 10am on Friday and although was initially fairly quiet, it soon became very busy in the room once more show guests arrived.

[![Early qualification in the Pinball Classic tournament](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/010-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/010-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Early qualification in the Pinball Classic tournament

The first of the free play machines could be found in the corridor leading up to the main hall’s entrance.

[![The first free play machines in the corridor outside the main hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/013-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/013-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The first free play machines in the corridor outside the main hall

Peter Heath from The Pinball Parlour had some machines and game parts for sale in the corridor too.

[![Peter Heath's machines and parts sale](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/051-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/051-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Peter Heath’s machines and parts sale

[![Backglasses for sale by The Pinball Parlour](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/015-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x714.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/015-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Backglasses for sale by The Pinball Parlour

[![Plastics for sale too](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/052-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/052-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Plastics for sale too

As we entered the main show hall, machines and stands were still being set up, with most machines not yet powered.

[![Inside the main show hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/026-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x641.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/026-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Inside the main show hall

[![Inside the main show hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/027-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x682.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/027-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Inside the main show hall

[![Inside the main show hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/029-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/029-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Inside the main show hall

[![The Retro Arcade Specialists stand next to the main entrance ](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/018-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/018-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The Retro Arcade Specialists stand next to the main entrance

[![Some machines brought by Retro Arcade Specialists including Labyrinth and This Is Spinal Tap](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/019-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/019-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Some machines brought by Retro Arcade Specialists including Labyrinth and This Is Spinal Tap

[![The Pinball Amigos stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/028-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x736.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/028-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The Pinball Amigos stand

[![The London Pinball and Pinball Republic London stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/020-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x666.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/020-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The London Pinball and Pinball Republic London stand

[![More from the London Pinball stand](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/053-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x693.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/053-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

More from the London Pinball stand

[![1 Stop Pinball's stand had parts, books, and slot machines for sale](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/054-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/054-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

1 Stop Pinball’s stand had parts, books, and slot machines for sale

[![Some of the London Pinball machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/021-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/021-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Some of the London Pinball machines

[![Some of the newest titles at the show](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/033-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/033-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Some of the newest titles at the show

[![A selection of American Pinball's titles, including their latest, Barry O's Barbecue Challenge](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/034-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/034-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

A selection of American Pinball’s titles, including their latest, Barry O’s Barbecue Challenge

[![More machines turned up through the day on Friday](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/035-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x681.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/035-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

More machines turned up through the day on Friday

At the back of the hall was the area reserved for the UK Pinfest Open tournament.

[![The UK Pinfest Open area](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/025-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x596.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/025-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The UK Pinfest Open area

Qualification for the Open began at 10am on Friday. Entry consisted of a £10 registration fee which included one entry, or registration plus five entries could be bought for £20.

[![Qualifying in the UK Pinfest Open](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/022-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x653.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/022-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Qualifying in the UK Pinfest Open

Each entry consisted of a single game on five different machines. The scores on all machines were ranked, with 200 points for the top score. The total of the points earned by each of the five games formed that entry’s score. Players could void an entry at any point before submission if they thought it might negatively impact on one of their earlier entries.

[![Qualifying in the UK Pinfest Open](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/024-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x646.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/024-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Qualifying in the UK Pinfest Open

Qualifying continued through Friday and up until 6pm on Saturday. The top 24 players qualify for the play-offs, with the top 8 getting a bye through the first round.

[![Trophies for the top three plus cash prizes down to eighth place](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/023-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x653.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/023-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Trophies for the top three plus cash prizes down to eighth place

If it all got a bit too much in the hall, there was a coll-down area outside on the patio.

[![Fortunately it was good Carl Weathers across the whole weekend](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/030-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/030-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Fortunately it was good Carl Weathers across the whole weekend

In more of the side rooms there were additional pinball machines to play, either for just fun or competitively.

The Headless Pinballs room was so-called because the doorways into it are so narrow you either need to take the head off a machine in order to bring it through, or just have a narrow head on the machine in the first place.

[![One bank of free play machines in the Headless Pinball room](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/049-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x669.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/049-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

One bank of free play machines in the Headless Pinball room

[![A bank of three more machines](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/050-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x682.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/050-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

A bank of three more machines

Next door, the popular NBA Challenge head-to-head tournament was taking place. This Scottish Pinball Association event uses two linked NBA Fastbreak machines with players divided into groups of four so that they play one head-to-head game against the other three players in their group.

[![The NBA Challenge room](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/048-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/048-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The NBA Challenge room

The show opened at 7pm on Friday night for VIP ticket holders and it was immediately very busy with most games in use. Predictably, the newest titles were especially popular, with this being the first opportunity for many visitors to see or play them.

[![Friday evening's VIP session](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/039-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/039-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Friday evening’s VIP session

[![Friday evening's VIP session](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/037-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/037-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Friday evening’s VIP session

[![Friday evening's VIP session](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/040-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/040-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Friday evening’s VIP session

[![Some of the newer titles](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/041-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/041-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Some of the newer titles

[![More newer titles](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/038-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/038-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

More newer titles

[![The view from the back of the hall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/042-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/042-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The view from the back of the hall

In total there were 155 pinballs at the show this year. Here’s the full list courtesy of Paul Garner:

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| 24 | Looney Tunes |
| Addams Family, The | Lord of the Rings, The |
| Aerobatics | Magic Castle |
| Alien (Highway Pinball) | Mata Hari |
| Attack from Mars | Medusa |
| Austin Powers | Metallica |
| Avatar | Meteor |
| Barracora | Meteor |
| Barry O’s Barbecue Challenge | Monte Carlo |
| Baywatch | Mousin Around |
| Beatles, The (Diamond Edition) | Mr. & Mrs. Pac-Man |
| Big House | Munsters, The |
| Black Knight | Nautilus |
| Black Knight 2000 | NBA Fastbreak |
| Black Knight: Sword of Rage | NBA Fastbreak |
| Black Rose: Skull & Bones | No Fear |
| Blackwater 100 | Orbitor 1 |
| Bride of Pinbot | Paragon |
| Cactus Canyon | Pinball Champ |
| Capersville | Pulp Fiction |
| Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy | Radical! |
| Centaur | Ripleys Believe it or Not! |
| Central Park | Riverboat Gambler |
| Circus | Robocop |
| Creature from the Black Lagoon | Roller Games |
| Cyberpunk | Rolling Stones (Bally) |
| Demolition Man | Rush |
| Elton John | Scared Stiff |
| Farfalla | Seawitch |
| Fathom | Shadow, The |
| Firepower | Ski Jump |
| Fish Tales | Space Shuttle |
| Fish Tales | Space Shuttle |
| Flash | Space Station |
| Flash | Space Team |
| Flash Gordon | Spectrum |
| Flight 2000 | Spider-Man |
| Foo Fighters | Spider-Man |
| Forbidden Planet | Spinal Tap, This is |
| Funhouse Remake | Star Trek (Stern) |
| Galactic Tank Force | Star Trek: The Next Generation |
| Game of Thrones | Star Wars (Data East) |
| Genesis | Star Wars (Data East) |
| Ghostbusters | Star Wars (Stern) |
| Gigi | Star Wars Trilogy |
| Godfather, The | Starship Troopers |
| Godzilla | Strikes and Spares |
| Goldeneye | Super Mario pinball |
| Gorgar | Super Orbit |
| Grand Prix (Stern) | Surf ‘n Safari |
| Guardians of the Galaxy | Taxi |
| Guardians of the Galaxy | Terminator 2 |
| Harlem Globetrotters | Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The |
| High Speed 2: The Getaway | Theatre of Magic |
| Hot Wheels | Torpedo Alley |
| Houdini | Total Nuclear Annihilation |
| Iron Maiden | Total Nuclear Annihilation |
| Iron Maiden | Tron |
| Iron Man | Tron |
| Jackbot | Turf Champ |
| Jackbot | Twilight Zone |
| James Bond 007 | Twister |
| James Bond 007 | TX Sector |
| James Bond 007 | Venom |
| James Bond 007 60th Anniversary | Victory |
| Jaws | Viking |
| Jet Spin | VPin |
| Jokerz | Walking Dead, The |
| Jungle Lord | Walking Dead, The |
| Jungle Queen | Whitewater |
| Jurassic Park | Whoa Nellie, Big Juicy Melons |
| Jurassic Park | Wizard! |
| King of Diamonds | World Cup Soccer |
| KISS | World Cup Soccer |
| Labyrinth | World Cup Soccer |
| Lady Luck | WWF Royal Rumble |
| Legends of Valhalla | X-Men |
| Lethal Weapon 3 |  |

The list of pinball machines at UK Pinfest 2024

At 7:30pm there was a new Ladies Social event held in the Headless Pinball room exclusively for women at the show. It featured casual fun competitions, drinks, snacks and prizes, along with a lot of laughs.

At 9pm the popular StallBall competition began. Players lined up to compete in a queue snaking around the hall.

[![Part of the line to play StallBall](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/043-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x682.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/043-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Part of the line to play StallBall

The concept is to play the chosen machine for the event and flip the ball into one of the locks or kickouts. Once you have done that you let the next player take over and go to join the back of the queue. If you let the ball drain, however, you are out of the competition.

The machine chosen this year was Twilight Zone.

[![Explaining the rules for StallBall on Twilight Zone](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/044-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/044-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Explaining the rules for StallBall on Twilight Zone

Although the line was long, once the competition began it moved pretty quickly. Many players only needed one or two flips to lock a ball and let the next player take over.

It wasn’t too long before the competition reached the final stages with only Helena and Will remaining.

[![Helena and Will are the last two remaining](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/045-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/045-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Helena and Will are the last two remaining

Will had an unlucky drain down the left outlane, leaving Helena Walter Higgins as the winner. She won a pinball-themed side table, presented by UK Pinfest organiser Philip Murphy.

[![Philip presents Helena with her StallBall winner's prize](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/046-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x694.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/046-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Philip presents Helena with her StallBall winner’s prize

The hall closed around 11pm with most guests heading to the bar in the hotel’s lobby for drinks and karaoke.

Saturday at UK Pinfest began at 10am. A good-size crowd had gathered by the entrance ahead of Philip opening the doors.

[![The crowd waits for the doors to open](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/047-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x536.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/047-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The crowd waits for the doors to open

[![Saturday at UK Pinfest begins](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/056-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x593.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/056-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Saturday at UK Pinfest begins

While in the hall, we ran into someone with a growing catalogue of pinball work to his name. Marc Marc Silk is a renowned voice artist who has provided voices for *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* for Stern Pinball, *Funhouse: Rudy’s Nightmare* and *Whirlwind: Total Chaos* for Pedretti Pinball, and, most recently, *Labyrinth* for Barrels of Fun.

[![Marc Marc Silk with the Labyrinth game for which he provided many of the voices](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/055-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x710.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/055-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Marc Marc Silk with the Labyrinth game for which he provided many of the voices

The NBA Challenge first rounds took place on Saturday, with the play-offs on Sunday.

[![The qualifying rounds of the NBA Challenge](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/059-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x694.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/059-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The qualifying rounds of the NBA Challenge

Across the corridor there were two talks taking place in the seminars room.

At 2pm David Fix, Executive Vice-President of American Pinball was interviewed by Martin Ayub, Editor of Pinball News, about David’s career in coin-op and the changes which have taken place at American Pinball since he joined in December 2020.

[![David Fix of American Pinball](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/057-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x696.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/057-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

David Fix of American Pinball

You can watch David’s talk on this YouTube video from Daniel Fligg.

VIDEO

At 4pm, Toby (a.k.a. SixToe) from VPin Workshop held a talk about the origins and development of virtual pinball, including the different platforms and their relative capabilities.

[![Toby from VPin Workshop](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/058-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/058-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Toby from VPin Workshop

Back in the main hall, it wasn’t as crowded as had been feared. In fact, we decided to record our exclusive Twelve Minute Tour of the whole show which is currently uploading to YouTube using the hotels incredibly slow Wi-Fi. As soon as it has uploaded and been processed, we’ll add it to this article.

[![Inside the main hall on Saturday afternoon](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/060-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x628.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/060-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Inside the main hall on Saturday afternoon

[![More inside the main hall on Saturday afternoon](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/061-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/061-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

More inside the main hall on Saturday afternoon

In the evening, the Ladies Competition was held in a dedicated tournaments area in the hotel’s lobby. The machines had been used earlier in the day for the finals of the UK Pinball League but now hosted the Ladies Competition which had a grand prize of £1,000 ($1,294/€1,173) for the winner.

The final four players were Claire Lickman, Alice McKenna, Helena Walter Higgins and Emily Stokes. They played on *Cactus Canyon*, *Gigi* and *KISS* using a 4-2-1-0 scoring format.

[![The final of the Ladies Competition](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/063-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x667.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/063-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The final of the Ladies Competition

It was a close run final, but Claire triumphed with 7 points. Emily was 1 point behind in second, with Helena a further point back in third and Alice fourth on 3 points. Trophies were presented by show organiser Philip Murphy and competition organiser, Ailsa Clunie.

[![Winner of the Ladies Competition, Claire Lickman](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/064-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x744.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/064-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Winner of the Ladies Competition, Claire Lickman

[![Second place, Emily Stokes](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/065-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x713.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/065-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Second place, Emily Stokes

[![Third place, Helena Walter Higgins](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/066-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x659.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/066-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Third place, Helena Walter Higgins

[![The top four in the Ladies Competition](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/067uk-pinfest-2024-1024x755.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/067uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The top four in the Ladies Competition

Also taking place on Saturday evening was another round of the StallBall competition held, as on Friday night, at 9pm on the Twilight Zone game in the main hall.

The winner for this second StallBall was Graeme Raymond Davidson who collected a The Big Lebowski translite for his trouble.

[![Saturday's StallBall winner, Graeme Raymond Davidson](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/068-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x717.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/068-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Saturday’s StallBall winner, Graeme Raymond Davidson

Sunday at UK Pinfest began at 10am with the opening of the main hall and the resumption of competitive action.

In the Pinball Classics tournament, the top sixteen qualifiers from Saturday were split into four groups of four, playing three games across different machines using the 4-2-1-0 scoring format for first to fourth places in each game.

[![The Pinball Classics tournament's play-offs began at 10am on Sunday](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/071-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x673.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/071-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The Pinball Classics tournament’s play-offs began at 10am on Sunday

The top two from both groups went on to play in the four player final. Those four were: Andreas Bernard, Owen Lloyd, Craig Pullen and Albert Medaillon. The three games they would play were *Flight 2000*, *Meteor* and *Super Orbit*.

[![Andreas on the first game of the final, Flight 2000](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/119-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x632.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/119-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Andreas on the first game of the final, Flight 2000

The first game was won by Owen who earned 4 points, ahead of Andreas who got 2 points for second. Albert was third for 1 point, while Craig was fourth.

[![Winner on Flight 2000, Owen Lloyd](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/121-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x673.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/121-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Winner on Flight 2000, Owen Lloyd

The second game was *Meteor* and this time Andreas improved from his second place finish on *Flight 2000* to win on *Meteor*. Craig got his first points on the board with his second place. Owen ended in third place with Albert fourth.

Going into the last game of the final, Andreas lead with 6 points, Owen was close behind on 5 points, with Craig on 2 points and Albert on 1 point. If Andreas could finish on *Super Orbit* ahead of Owen he would win overall. Albert couldn’t win but if he got first place on *Super Orbit* he could take second as could Craig, although Craig could also get a tie for first if he won, Andreas was last and Owen third.

After two poor first balls Craig seemed out of the running, but a large double-bonus on ball three shot him into the lead.

[![Craig on his third ball on Super Orbit](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/120-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x680.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/120-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Craig on his third ball on Super Orbit

Andreas tried to catch Craig’s 411,590 but ended just below 400,000, giving Craig the win, but more importantly, Owen came fourth. That meant Andreas had won on 8 points while Craig had leapfrogged into second place on 6 points, ahead of Owen on 5 points with Albert on 2 points.

Awards of engraved hip flask sets in gold, silver, bronze and black, tournament posters, Stern Pinball-themed anti-fatigue mats and cash prizes were presented by Tournament Director, Shaun Harvey.

[![Prizes for the four finalists in the Pinball Classic](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/126-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x692.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/126-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Prizes for the four finalists in the Pinball Classic
(picture: Shaun Harvey)

[![Engraved gold, silver, bronze and black hip flask sets were awarded](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/125-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x710.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/125-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Engraved gold, silver, bronze and black hip flask sets were awarded for first to fourth
(picture: Shaun Harvey)

The cash prizes were significant, with the winner receiving £2,000 ($2,588/€2,346) in cash. Second place received £400, third place £300, and fourth place £200.

[![Winner of the Pinball Classics 2024, Andreas Bernard](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/122-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x721.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/122-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Winner of the Pinball Classics 2024, Andreas Bernard

[![Second place, Craig Pullen](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/080-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x677.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/080-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Second place, Craig Pullen

[![Third place, Owen Lloyd](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/079-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x677.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/079-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Third place, Owen Lloyd

[![Fourth place, Albert Medaillon](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/078-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x656.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/078-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Fourth place, Albert Medaillon

Also starting at 10am was the NBA Challenge for players aged under 14 years. This was split into two divisions – under 11, and 11 or older.

[![Setting up for the under-14's NBA Challenge](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/069-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/069-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Setting up for the under-14’s NBA Challenge

[![The under-11 division begins](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/070-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x748.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/070-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The under-11 division begins

The parallel running of the Pinball Classics meant we couldn’t attend the final of the under-11’s division, but the winner was Daniel Vince.

[![Winner of the under-11 division of the NBA Challenge, Daniel Vince](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/076-uk-pinfest-2024-711x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/076-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Winner of the under-11 division of the NBA Challenge, Daniel Vince

In the 11 or older division, it was a clean sweep for George with three wins out of three for a maximum of 9 points and first place. Ethan was in second place with two wins, while Katie was third and Lucy fourth.

[![The top three in the 11-14 division: Ethan (second), George (first) and Katie (third)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/077-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x696.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/077-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The top three in the 11-14 division: Ethan (second), George (first) and Katie (third)

After the Pinball Classics and under-14’s NBA Challenge, at 1pm the pinballs in the main hall were switch off for a couple of presentations.

First, Pinball News Editor, Martin Ayub, hosted this year’s UK Pinball Group Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The [UK Pinball Group Hall of Fame](https://ukpinballhalloffame.com/) has been running since 2008 with the intention of honouring those who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion and development of pinball in the UK. Nominations can be submitted by anyone, either [through the website](https://ukpinballhalloffame.com/?page_id=25409) or in person to one of the members of the Nominations and Inductions Committee.

Prior to today’s ceremony there were twenty-nine inductees, but today another two were added.

The first was Peter Blakemore.

Peter is a long-standing member of the UK’s pinball community and a regular high-flyer on the tournament circuit, both in the UK and across Europe. He founded the UK’s first pinball club, [Special When Lit](https://specialwhenlit.co.uk/index.php), in Salisbury which continues to open every Friday and for special events through the year.

[![Peter Blakemore was inducted into the UK Pinball Group Hall of Fame by Matt Vince](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/083-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x707.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/083-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Peter Blakemore was inducted into the UK Pinball Group Hall of Fame by Matt Vince

The second inductee was UK Pinfest organiser, Philip Murphy.

In addition to organising seven [UK Pinfest](https://www.ukpinfest.com/) shows in Daventry, Philip has also run ten annual [North-East Retro Gaming (NERG) shows](http://www.northeastretrogaming.com/) in Gateshead. Through these show he has helped built a community of supporters and volunteers, raising large sums for several charities. He has also helped others promote pinball at other gaming shows by supplying and transporting machines to help them raise pinball’s profile.

[![Philip Murphy was inducted into the UK Pinball Group Hall of Fame by Ailsa Clunie](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/084-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x665.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/084-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Philip Murphy was inducted into the UK Pinball Group Hall of Fame by Ailsa Clunie

Following the Hall of Fame inductions, Ailsa continued with the presentation of this year’s Best-in-Show awards.

There were two categories – Best Overall machine and Best Refurbished machine. Show attendees could vote for their favourites in both categories using a form found in a special show booklet available from the front desk. Cut-off for voting was when the show closed on Saturday night.

[![The Best-in-Show voting form](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/124-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x724.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/124-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The Best-in-Show voting form

When all the votes had been counted, the winner of the Best-in-Show award was Stan Simpson for his *Harlem Globetrotters*.

[![Best-in-Show winner, Stan Simpson](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/085-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x702.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/085-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Best-in-Show winner, Stan Simpson

The Best Refurb award went to Alan and Alfie Adair for their Whitewater.

[![Winner of the Best Refurb, Alan Adair for Whitewater](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/097-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x739.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/097-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Winners of the Best Refurb, Alan and Alfie Adair for Whitewater

The final official set of presentations were to the top players in the [UK Pinball League](https://www.pinballleague.uk/). This spans the UK with eight regions each holding six meetings during the League year. The top two from each region qualify for the national final which was held on the machines in the hotel’s lobby on Saturday afternoon.

[![UK Pinball League Overall Coordinator, Paul Garner, introduces the top players in each region](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/086-uk-pinfest-2024-768x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/086-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

UK Pinball League Overall Coordinator, Paul Garner, introduces the top players in each region

Trophies were presented to the top three players in each region, as well as the top three in the national final.

[![South-West region: Peter Blakemore (3rd), Josh Iles (1st), Greg Mott (2nd)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/087-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x664.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/087-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

South-West region: Peter Blakemore (3rd place), Josh Iles (1st place) & Greg Mott (2nd place)

[![London & South-East region: Matt Vince (2nd place), Lucy Vince (1st place) & Chris Poyntz (3rd place)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/088-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x685.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/088-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

London & South-East region: Matt Vince (2nd place), Lucy Vince (1st place) & Chris Poyntz (3rd place)

[![Northern region: Andy Foster (2nd place), Will Jarvis (1st place) & Ian Walmsley (3rd place)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/089-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x708.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/089-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Northern region: Andy Foster (2nd place), Will Jarvis (1st place) & Ian Walmsley (3rd place)

[![Scottish region: Jon Meggat (1st place) & Chris Meggat (3rd place)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/090-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x783.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/090-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Scottish region: Jon Meggat (1st place) & Chris Meggat (3rd place)

[![Irish region: Alan O'Grady (1st place)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/091-uk-pinfest-2024-870x1024.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/091-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Irish region: Alan O’Grady (1st place)

[![East Anglia region: Nathan Garwood (1st place) & Pete Bennett (2nd place)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/093-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x748.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/093-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

East Anglia region: Nathan Garwood (1st place) & Pete Bennett (2nd place)

[![East Anglia region: Kevin Donovan (3rd place), Dan Williams (1st place) & Jason Pitt (2nd place)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/123-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x771.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/123-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

East Anglia region: Kevin Donovan (3rd place), Dan Williams (1st place) & Jason Pitt (2nd place)
(picture: Paul Garner)

[![National finals top three: Greg Mott (2nd place), Andy Foster (1st place) & Pete Bennett (3rd place)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/094-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x620.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/094-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

National finals top three: Greg Mott (2nd place), Andy Foster (1st place) & Pete Bennett (3rd place)

Before the machines were switched back on for the remainder of the show, there was a surprise presentation to Ailsa Clunie, who was celebrating her birthday at the show, in the form of a celebratory cake.

[![Happy Birthday, Ailsa](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/096-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x742.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/096-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Happy Birthday, Ailsa

At 1:30pm the play-offs for the last eight in the open division of the NBA Challenge began. Qualifying had taken place on Saturday while the play-offs were only single head-to-head games, so proceedings moved along pretty quickly.

The final four were Adam, Roy Smith, Ethan Campbell and Naomi Porter. Roy and Naomi made it through to the final, leaving Adam and Ethan to play for third place.

[![Naomi and Roy play in the final of the NBA Challenge](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/100-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x662.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/100-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Naomi and Roy play in the final of the NBA Challenge

It was a close-run final, but Roy triumphed by 42 points to 39. Naomi was second, while Ethan won the play-off to take third place. Trophies and cash prizes were presented by [Scottish Pinball Association’s](https://scottishpinball.org.uk/) Ailsa Clunie.

[![Winner of the NBA Challenge, Roy Smith](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/103-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x732.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/103-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Winner of the NBA Challenge, Roy Smith

[![Second place, Naomi Porter](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/102-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x680.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/102-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Second place, Naomi Porter

[![Third place, Ethan Campbell](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/101-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x701.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/101-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Third place, Ethan Campbell

The UK Pinfest Open tournament was held on a bank of 14 machines from electromechanicals to the newest models. They were:

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Black Knight: Sword of Rage | Meteor |
| 007 James Bond: 60th Anniversary | Paragon |
| Creature from the Black Lagoon | Rush |
| Flash Gordon | Taxi |
| Iron Maiden | The Walking Dead |
| Jackbot | Tron: Legacy |
| Jet Spin | World Cup Soccer |

In previous years, the final of the tournament had run long past the show close at 4:30pm on Sunday. To address that, qualifying for the UK Pinfest Open this year had began at 10am on Friday, a full nine hours before the show opened to the public. In addition, the usual Saturday evening qualifying period changed to become the first two rounds of play-offs.

The UK Pinfest Open uses a card system for qualifying entries. Each card consists of a single game on five different machines. The scores on each game are ranked with 200 points for the top score. A card’s score is the total points from each of the five games.

Streaming and commentary of the qualifiers, the play-offs and the final was provided by [Pinball.Live on their Twitch channel](https://www.twitch.tv/pinball_live). Playfield video from select machines was shown on monitors in the tournament area to allow the audience to see the action.

When qualifying closed at 6pm on Saturday, the 24 players who had made it through to the play-offs were:

| Player | Points |
| --- | --- |
| **Craig Pullen** | 900 |
| **Wayne Johns** | 872 |
| **Josh Iles** | 852 |
| **Luke Grayson** | 842 |
| **Andy Foster** | 837 |
| **Mike Christiansen** | 831 |
| **Rich Mallett** | 825 |
| **Yuen Aw** | 824 |
| Nathan Garwood | 822 |
| Will Jarvis | 807 |
| Greg Mott | 806 |
| Jeremy Dorling | 801 |
| Neil McRae | 799 |
| Owen Lloyd | 795 |
| Isaac Granby | 793 |
| Kate Rothwell-Jackson | 783 |
| Jon Carolan | 779 |
| Peter Blakemore | 763 |
| Matt Vince | 762 |
| Andreas Bernard | 762 |
| Andy Brock | 757 |
| Helena Walter Higgins | 754 |
| Stewart Judson | 741 |
| Ryan Pullen | 733 |

The qualifiers for the UK Pinfest Open 2024

The qualifying details along with all the play-off results are available on the [Drains Tournament Manager website](https://www.neverdrains.com/ukpinfest2024/playerIndex.php?disp=division&sel=Main).

The top eight qualifiers earned a bye through the first round of play-offs, leaving the remaining sixteen to play in four groups of four. Each group played three machines with the highest-ranked qualifier in each group having choice of machine or position. Points were awarded for finishing position in each game using the 4-2-1-0 scoring system.

When all three games had been played, the top two points scorers progressed to the quarter-finals where they were joined by the eight top qualifiers to play another round of sixteen using the same format.

[![The play-offs begin](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/127-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/127-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The quarter-finals of the play-offs

These quarter-final matches saw some big names unexpectedly dropping out as the eight remaining players for Sunday afternoon’s semi-final matches were decided. They were: Josh Iles, Rich Mallett, Nathan Garwood, Helena Walter Higgins, Luke Grayson, Mike Christiansen, Peter Blakemore and Matt Vince.

[![The scene is set for the semi-finals](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/104-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/104-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The scene is set for the semi-finals

[![The two groups of four players compete for a place in the final](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/105-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/105-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The two groups of four players compete for a place in the final

After three semi-final games for both groups of four, the four finalists were decided. They were: Josh Iles, Nathan Garwood, Mike Christiansen and Matt Vince. Games selected were *James Bond 007: 60th Anniversary*, *Taxi* and *Black Knight: Sword of Rage*. Josh was player 1 in each game, followed by Matt Vince, Nathan Garwood and Mike Christiansen.

[![Josh started the final on 007 James Bond](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/106-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x653.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/106-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Josh started the final on 007 James Bond

Matt in the player 2 spot put up a decent target of 18,227. Nathan got close but ended on 17,712 while Mike wasn’t far behind on 16,994. Josh never really got going and ended on 1,082.

[![Matt wins on 007 James Bond](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/107-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x647.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/107-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Matt wins on 007 James Bond

It was the same play order on the second game, *Taxi*, and also the same outcome.

[![John starts on game two, Taxi](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/108-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x684.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/108-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

John starts on game two, Taxi

Matt got another 4 points with his 1.2M score, Nathan another 2 points with his 776K, Mike a close third on 739K for 1 point, and Josh on 627K.

Going into the last game of the final, Matt had 8 points, Nathan 4, Mike 2 and Josh 0. The only way Matt could not win would be if he came last on the third game and Nathan won. The game was *Black Knight: Sword of Rage*.

[![Could Nathan win on Black Knight: Sword of Rage and Matt come last?](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/109-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x717.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/109-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Could Nathan win on Black Knight: Sword of Rage and Matt come last?

As fate would have it, that’s exactly what happened. Nathan had a decent game and won with 193M. Josh scored his first points, coming second with 80M. Mike collected a full set of third places and another 1 point with his 54M, while Matt had a bad game with little opportunity to flip the ball, ending on just 4M.

So we had a tie for first place, with Matt and Nathan both on 8 points. Mike’s three 1 point scores earned him third, while Josh’s 2 points weren’t enough to lift him out of fourth.

The tie-breaker machine was chosen by Nathan as the higher qualifier. He selected *The Walking Dead* and played as player 1.

[![Nathan starts the tie-break game on The Walking Dead](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/110-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x714.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/110-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Nathan starts the tie-break game on The Walking Dead

It was a close-run affair throughout but Nathan, despite scoring 30M on ball 1, ended his third ball on 37M. Matt needed a decent third ball and, fortunately for him, got one. A Well Walker multiball and a mode running saw him pass Nathan, stopping play on 40M when it was clear he had won.

Presentations to the top four were made by tournament co-organisers, Claire Lickman and David Bowery.

[![Winner of the UK Pinfest Open 2024, Matt Vince](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/116-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x707.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/116-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Winner of the UK Pinfest Open 2024, Matt Vince

[![Second place, Nathan Garwood](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/115-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x700.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/115-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Second place, Nathan Garwood

[![Third place, Mike Christiansen](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/114-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x734.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/114-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Third place, Mike Christiansen

[![Fourth place, Josh Iles](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/113-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x758.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/113-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Fourth place, Josh Iles

As with the Pinball Classics, there were substantial cash prizes for the top players. Matt took home £2,000 ($2,588/€2,346) for his win, Nathan received £1040, Mike £780 and Josh £520. Losing semi-finalists Peter, Rich, Helena and Luke all received £260 in prize money.

[![The top four: Nathan (2nd place), Matt (1st place), Mike (3rd place) & Josh (4th place)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/117-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x681.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/117-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

The top four: Nathan (2nd place), Matt (1st place), Mike (3rd place) & Josh (4th place)

Just before the final took place, the clock rolled round to 4:30pm and UK Pinfest 2024 was officially over.

As the battle was under way for the top spot, free-play machines in the main part of the hall, in the corridor outside, and in the side rooms were all being dismantled, strapped, packed and loaded in preparation for their journey home.

[![Another UK Pinfest comes to an end](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/112-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x692.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/112-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

Another UK Pinfest comes to an end

[![155 pinballs, plus parts, stands, promotional material, computer systems, TV screens, cameras, and much more all needs to be packed up and taken away](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/118-uk-pinfest-2024-1024x683.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/shows/uk-pinfest-2024/118-uk-pinfest-2024.jpg)

155 pinballs, plus parts, stands, promotional material, computer systems, TV screens, lights, cameras, power cables, repair equipment, and much more all needs to be packed up and taken away

With that we bring this year’s UK Pinfest coverage to a close. We may add any additional pictures and information we receive to this report over the next few days, but for now we can look back on another hugely successful show and send congratulations to all involved in running it.

The number and quality of machines and side events seems to increase year-on-year, as does the professionalism and knowledge of every aspect, from the tournaments to the seminars, presentations and even the hotel team at the Mercure. The support from the UK pinball community for the show also grows each year, with new ideas and offers of help in all areas.

The show also helped raise a total of £1,216.50 ($1,605/€1,443) for the [Take Heart charity](https://www.takeheart.net/) which supports heart medicine at St. James Hospital in Leeds. The majority came from the pay-to-play machines set up in the hotel’s lobby, but Open Tournament winner Matt donated £100 from his winnings and Chris Brimacombe donated the £35 in cash he had supplied to provide players with change for the lobby machines. The money was presented to Take Heart by David Dutton.

Next year UK Pinfest returns to the August Bank Holiday weekend (29th-31st August, 2025). Investigations have started about the possibility of expanding the show to also occupy the hotel’s lower level. That space was used by previous shows for a Saturday night banquet and presentation ceremony, but the hall was subsequently converted to office space. Rumours suggest it may become available for the show to use again, possibly for the tournaments.

Keep an eye on the [UK Pinfest website](https://www.ukpinfest.com/) and [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/ukpinfest) for more details as soon as they are announced.

In the meantime, we close this report with our exclusive Twelve Minute Tour video of this year’s UK Pinfest in 4K UHD.

VIDEO

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