# STERN OF THE UNION ADDRESS – MARCH 2026

**Source:** Stern Pinball Website Newsfeed  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2026-03-03  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://sternpinball.com/2026/03/03/stern-of-the-union-address-march-2026/

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## Analysis

Stern Pinball's March 2026 monthly newsletter celebrates the historic launch of Pokémon pinball with unprecedented mainstream media coverage, announces new Insider Connected perks including free factory tours, highlights Star Wars: Fall of the Empire ongoing support, and provides updates on the Stern Pro Circuit, Stern Rewards Program (now including Walking Dead Remastered Premium), and community engagement initiatives.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Pokémon pinball received worldwide coverage reaching 100s of millions of people including major outlets like IGN, Nintendo Wire, Screen Rant, The Verge, Kotaku, and Pokemon's official website — _Stern Pinball official newsletter, direct announcement of media coverage_
- [HIGH] The Pokémon pinball launch was historic for the entire pinball industry — _Stern Pinball official newsletter describing it as 'historic launch for all of pinball'_
- [HIGH] Walking Dead Remastered Premium has been added to the Stern Rewards Program — _Stern official announcement in partnership with IFPA_
- [HIGH] Factory tours are available exclusively to All-Access Insider Connected members with paid subscription at no additional cost (1 per year) plus $25 per additional guest — _Stern Pinball official announcement of new All-Access perk_
- [HIGH] Daniele Celestino Acciari won the Open IFPA World Championship (INDISC) in 2026 — _Stern Pro Circuit official results announcement_

### Notable Quotes

> "In what was a historic launch for all of pinball, the worldwide response to the first ever pinball machine of Pokémon has been astonishing."
> — **Stern Pinball (official)**, March 2026 newsletter
> _Emphasizes unprecedented scale and industry impact of Pokémon pinball release_

> "Step behind the scenes at the Stern Pinball factory. Watch pinball machines come to life—from initial wiring to cabinet decaling."
> — **Stern Pinball (official)**, March 2026 newsletter
> _Description of new factory tour experience for All-Access members_

> "Spots are limited and will fill up fast—secure your visit to the Stern factory and see how the game is made!"
> — **Stern Pinball (official)**, March 2026 newsletter
> _Indicates high expected demand for new factory tour offering_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Stern Pinball | company | Manufacturer announcing updates, new products, and community programs |
| Pokémon | product | First-ever Pokémon pinball machine by Stern, launched with historic mainstream media coverage |
| Star Wars: Fall of the Empire | product | Stern pinball machine continuing to generate player interest and engagement |
| Walking Dead Remastered | product | Stern pinball machine; Premium version now added to Stern Rewards Program |
| Daniele Celestino Acciari | person | Winner of 2026 Open IFPA World Championship (INDISC) |
| Brittany Haswell | person | Winner of Stern Gameroom of the Month for March 2026 |
| Chieftain Pool and Pinball | company | Location winner for March 2026 Location of the Month award in BC, Canada |
| IFPA | organization | International Flipper Pinball Association; partnering with Stern on Rewards Program and circuit events |
| Insider Connected | product | Stern's subscription platform featuring Community Quests, Global Leaderboards, Beat That Score events, and All-Access perks |
| Stern Army | organization | Community program providing locations first priority shipment of new games and support for tournaments/leagues |
| Stern Pro Circuit | event | Official competitive pinball circuit sponsored by Mountain Dew in partnership with IFPA |
| Mountain Dew | company | Sponsor of 2026 Stern Pro Circuit |

### Topics

- **Primary:** Pokémon pinball launch and mainstream media coverage, Insider Connected platform and community engagement features, Factory tour program for All-Access subscribers
- **Secondary:** Stern Pro Circuit competitive events and results, Stern Rewards Program partnership with IFPA, Stern Army location initiative and support
- **Mentioned:** Code updates and software improvements

### Sentiment

**Positive** (0.92) — Heavily promotional and celebratory tone. Emphasis on historic achievements (Pokémon), growing community engagement, expansion of subscription perks, and competitive circuit growth. No negative content or controversies mentioned. All announcements frame Stern positively.

### Signals

- **[announcement]** Stern announces factory tour bookings now available exclusively for All-Access Insider Connected subscribers at no cost (1 per year) plus $25 per additional guest (confidence: high) — Official announcement in March 2026 newsletter with detailed booking process and tour description
- **[product_launch]** Pokémon pinball machine by Stern achieved historic mainstream media coverage reaching 100s of millions across major outlets and official Pokémon channels (confidence: high) — Stern official newsletter citing coverage in IGN, Nintendo Wire, Screen Rant, The Verge, Kotaku, and 20+ other major outlets
- **[competitive_signal]** Daniele Celestino Acciari won the 2026 Open IFPA World Championship (INDISC) (confidence: high) — Official Stern Pro Circuit results announcement
- **[market_signal]** Walking Dead Remastered Premium added to Stern Rewards Program, signaling continued marketing push and IFPA player incentive strategy (confidence: high) — Official IFPA and Stern partnership announcement adding game to rewards lineup
- **[community_signal]** Stern launches Beat That Score Party Quest event (March 1-April 11, 2026) with team-based challenges and badge system for Insider Connected titles (confidence: high) — Official Stern newsletter describing new community quest format with escalating party scores
- **[business_signal]** Stern expanding All-Access subscription value with factory tour perks and noting 'spots will fill up fast,' indicating demand and monetization strategy (confidence: high) — Official announcement emphasizing scarcity and unique value proposition of All-Access membership
- **[licensing_signal]** Pokémon pinball represents first-ever pinball adaptation of Pokémon franchise, described as historic for entire industry (confidence: high) — Stern official characterization of Pokémon launch as 'historic launch for all of pinball' with unprecedented cross-platform coverage
- **[content_signal]** Pokémon pinball coverage cited across mainstream entertainment and gaming outlets including Screen Rant, The Verge, Kotaku, IGN, Nintendo Wire, and official Pokémon channels (confidence: high) — Comprehensive list of 20+ major media outlets cited in March 2026 newsletter announcement

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## Transcript

STERN OF THE UNION ADDRESS – MARCH 2026
The Stern of the Union Address, your monthly resource for news, information and highlights on all things Stern Pinball. Without further ado my fellow pinheads:
Pokémon by Stern Pinball:
In what was a historic launch for all of pinball, the worldwide response to the first ever pinball machine of Pokémon has been astonishing. Coverage and highlights of this unprecedented global release has reached 100s of millions of people worldwide including some incredible content including, but not limited to Pokémon’s official website, IGN , Nintendo Wire, Screen Rant, The Verge, Comic Book, Destructoid, Multiplayer, 9to5Toys, GoNintendo, Pokémon Millenium, Pèse Sur Start, The Toy Book, Pop Insider, Kotaku, Old School Gamer Magazine, and many more! Star Wars: Fall of the Empire:
Star Wars: Fall of the Empire continues to spread the joy of pinball across the galaxy! Insider Connected:
Community Quests and Global Leaderboards are kicking things off right in 2026, but get ready for a party with the upcoming Beat That Score! From March 1 to April 11, 2026, join us for the “Beat That Score! Party Quest.” Every two weeks, we will reveal a new set of badges from current Insider Connected™ titles, showcasing community multiplayer scores. Gather a team of 2-4 players to surpass the scores and earn badges. Party scores will increase in size for following quests. Encourage your friends to get Insider Connected, and don’t forget to share your pinball party photos on social tagging Stern Pinball! New All-Access Perk Unlocked: Book Your Free Stern Factory Tour! Ready to see where the magic happens? We’re excited to announce that factory tour scheduling is now open exclusively for All-Access members with a paid subscription! As a member, you get:
• 1 FREE factory tour per year (Admission for you + 1 guest)
• Additional guests or tours: just $25 per person
During this one-hour, guided factory tour, you’ll:
• Step behind the scenes at the Stern Pinball factory
• Watch pinball machines come to life—from initial wiring to cabinet decaling
• Learn about the craftsmanship, technology, and passion that power every Stern game
• Experience an up-close look at the world’s leading pinball manufacturer
How to Book
1. Click the link below to open the booking page
2. Log into your All-Access Insider Connected account using the link on the booking page
3. Choose your preferred date and time
4. Add any additional guests (optional)
5. Complete the checkout process in order to book your tour. Spots are limited and will fill up fast—secure your visit to the Stern factory and see how the game is made! Contact us at tours@sternpinball.com if you have any questions. Gameroom of the Month:
Congrats to Brittany Haswell for winning Gameroom of the Month! Do you have a special home gameroom you want to share with the world? Submit your incredible gameroom directly to Insider@sternpinball.com for your chance to be featured as our next winner! Stern Army Updates:
The Stern Army continues to grow with troops spreading the gospel of pinball across the globe. Stern Army locations receive first priority shipment of new Stern games for hosting official Launch Parties in addition to supporting events with prizes, giveaways, promotional materials, and tools for hosting recurring tournaments and leagues. Engage and expand your local pinball community and to join the Stern Army, please reach out to SternArmy@sternpinball.com
Location of the Month:
Congrats to Chieftain Pool and Pinball of BC, Canada for winning Location of the Month! Do you have a special location you want to share with the world? Submit your pictures directly to Insider@sternpinball.com for your chance to be featured as our next winner! Stern Pro Circuit:
Congrats to all competitors at this year’s Open IFPA World Championship (INDISC). In the end, Daniele Celestino Acciari slayed the competition! For full details on the Stern Pro Circuit and to keep up with the current standings and schedule, please visit – https://sternpinball.com/stern-pro-circuit/
Upcoming Stern Pro Circuit Events:
Stern Pro Circuit 2026 Schedule:
Mark your calendars for the upcoming 2026 season of the Stern Pro Circuit sponsored by Mountain Dew! Stern Rewards Program:
In partnership with the International Flipper Pinball Association (IFPA), the Stern Rewards Program annually provides IFPA players who qualify the chance to purchase a new Stern Pinball machine at a special IFPA price plus the opportunity for additional Stern merchandise discounts. Detailed rules for the Stern Rewards Program, including an updated list of qualifiers and updated list of rewards available can be found HERE. The IFPA is excited to announce that Stern has added The Walking Dead Remastered Premium to the rewards program! Status of Code:
We are continuously working to update and improve software for our machines. There are always code updates and bug fixes in various stages of development; we will release them upon update completion. If you would like to join our mailing list for code updates, please send an e-mail to Code.Updates@sternpinball.com. If you do encounter any bugs please feel free to provide information to bug.report@sternpinball.com. Get Connected and play! https://insider.sternpinball.com/
Code updates and read me files are available at https://sternpinball.com/support/game-code/
Merch and Accessories:
Check out our Stern Shop for all accessories, collectibles, clothing and more! Stern Pinball accessories are also available to purchase from your local authorized dealer – https://sternpinball.com/find-a-dealer/
Ask Jack Anything:
You’ve got questions? Jack has answers! Ask Jack Anything* is a place to communicate more personably with us at Stern Pinball. Think of it as a digital suggestion box. Don’t be afraid to reach out about anything. It’s as anonymous as you want it to be! ⚡
Check out some of the latest episodes here! Random Tutorials, Interviews and more:
Check out a slew of fun content, tutorials, a trailer to the incredible Mastering Pinball: In-Depth Skills and Strategies and this year’s TWIPY Awards!

_(Acquisition: web_scrape, Enrichment: v3)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: b9f743df-f894-4000-9906-d8e0ef86fb60*