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Pinball

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Chicago

locationactive37 mentionsFirst seen Mar 25, 2007Last seen Feb 24, 2026

Profile

Chicago is the historical and contemporary epicenter of pinball manufacturing and culture in North America. The city has hosted major pinball manufacturers including Williams, Gottlieb, and Western Equipment, and currently serves as headquarters for both Stern Pinball and American Pinball. Beyond manufacturing, Chicago functions as a premier tournament destination and cultural hub for the pinball community, hosting the Stern Pro Circuit Championship, Chicago Expo, and attracting professional players for major competitive events.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • based_inStern Pinball Inc.Stern Pinball headquarters and primary manufacturing facility located in Chicagomedium
  • based_inAmerican PinballAmerican Pinball manufacturing facility located in Chicagomedium
  • affiliated_withJersey Jack PinballDesign and R&D hub with Pat Lawlor's model shop in Chicago; planned manufacturing relocation destinationmedium
  • hostsStern Pro Circuit ChampionshipChicago hosts the Stern Pro Circuit Championship tournamentmedium
  • hostsChicago Expo

Facts

  • attributeMajor pinball manufacturing centerhigh
  • attributeMajor pinball tournament destinationmediumfrom 2000s
  • attributePinball parts and vendor ecosystem hubmedium
  • locationHome to Pat Lawlor's model shophigh
  • locationLocation of American Pinball manufacturing facilityhigh
  • locationFormer location of Williams Pinball factoryhighuntil 2007
  • locationFormer location of Gottlieb headquartershigh

Claims (1)

  • opinionmedium

    Chicago's graphic arts community, advertising agencies, and art collectives like the Hairy Who contributed to creating a 'pinball-friendly climate'

    Source: M.G. Brown (exhibition interpretation)Kings and Queens Pinball, Imagists & Chicago

Recent Mentions (37)

  • City where current arcade gameplay is taking place; downtown and suburban locations mentioned

    Walking Dead (05/24/17)Jun 15, 2017
  • City where previous owner of Bally Blue Ribbon was located

    Pinball Junk Drawer Episode 15Feb 18, 2023
  • City where the launch event took place

    Stern Jurassic Park Pinball Launch Party @ Logan Arcade Chicago!Sep 30, 2019
  • City where the Iron Maiden pinball launch party is being held

    Stern Pinball: Iron Maiden Pinball Launch Party ChicagoMay 25, 2018
  • Location of the Stern Army Launch Party event.

    Stern Army Launch Party - RUSH in ChicagoMar 4, 2022
  • City where Sharpe grew up; pinball was illegal there during his childhood; legalized after NYC's ban was overturned

    Five Minutes to Tilt #5 – Roger Sharpe and the Shot That Saved PinballFeb 24, 2026
  • Jack Danger's current home city; location of streaming studio where Wizard of Oz animations were shot

Contradictions

  • Existing: Williams Pinball factory was located in Chicago (mentions 1, 8, 9)vsConflicting: Mention 9 states Cameron Silver 'relocated to' Chicago to work at Williams factory in 2007, but Williams ceased pinball manufacturing in 1999, making a 2007 relocation for Williams work historically implausible
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Gottlieb headquarters was located in Chicago (mention 10)vsConflicting: Mention 10 states John Osborne relocated to Chicago for Gottlieb headquarters in 1972, but Gottlieb was historically based in Chicago earlier and had ceased significant operations by the 1970s, making the context unclear
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026
  • Existing: Williams Pinball factory located in Chicago (mentions 9, 11)vsConflicting: Mark Ritchie experienced cultural shock relocating to Chicago from California to work at Williams
    Resolved
    accepted_new · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Chicago hosts the Chicago Expo pinball event
medium
  • affiliated_withEmporium Arcade BarHosted Stern Pinball's Avengers Launch Party event in 2013medium
  • until 1972
  • locationHome to Stern Pinball headquarters and factoryhigh
  • locationLocation of Jersey Jack Pinball design and R&D hubhigh
  • The Walking Dead (Pro) #Pinball (Stern 2014) 09/03/15Sep 4, 2015
  • Geographic market where host tracks location machine popularity; home base for streaming operation

    Day 6 of ROAD SHOW Battle Week! - 1 / 2Dec 6, 2014
  • Location of IFPA tournaments held on Tuesdays; Logan League runs concurrent league play

    Working late, just messing around. HOT SHOT 1973Nov 3, 2014
  • Dead Flip's location; Katrina and team are Chicago-based animators/designers; references to Emporium locations on Milwaukee

    Day 3 of AC/DC Battle week! - 1 / 2Oct 24, 2014
  • City where Jack Danger's animation studio was located; home to Emporium arcade in Wicker Park

    TWIP - Around The Playfield W/ Jack DangerFeb 6, 2018
  • US location referenced as contrast to Australia; proximity to multiple manufacturers allows easier machine acquisition

    My Interview with Haggis PinballJul 11, 2023
  • Home base of Stern Pinball development; Andrew Wilkinson is local Chicago hire; pinball design hub

    🔴LIVE - Star Wars Fall of the Empire Limited Edition Pinball Machine with Raymond Davidson!Oct 9, 2025
  • Location where Magic Girl machines will be designed, engineered and built

    Popaduik Announces New Game PlansJul 23, 2011
  • Host city of 2016 Slot Car World Championship; has two commercial raceways

    LUCKY BOB’S RACEWAYOct 30, 2017
  • City where Headquarters Beercade is located

    Headquarters Adds New Pinball RoomMay 15, 2013
  • City location of Emporium Fulton Market barcade

    EMPORIUM FULTON MARKETMar 6, 2019
  • Described as the pinball capital of the world

    Great Barstool Sports Interview with Stern Pinball's Gary SternJul 28, 2022
  • City location of Logan Arcade

    Logan Arcade - Chicago, IL (August 2019)Aug 1, 2019
  • Referenced as location where game was designed/developed and where Expo event occurred; host nostalgic about 2009 scene

    Beating Jurassic Park Pinball (The Pin)Jun 11, 2022
  • Primary location of Wayne's professional career; home to Western Equipment and Gottlieb; banned pinball during 1930s-40s

    Pinball's Centenarian – Wayne NeyensMay 13, 2023
  • Referenced as manufacturing center for pinball ('made by people in Chicago')

    Stern Pro Circuit ChampionshipFeb 24, 2020
  • Raymond Davidson's new residence; location of Stern Pinball headquarters; hosts Chicago Expo and Stern Pro Circuit events; noted for deep-dish pizza culture

    Episode 260: Raymond Davidson, Day One at SternMay 19, 2020
  • Major tournament destination mentioned as favorite by Jack Slovacek

    Episode 417: Jack Slovacek & Nic SteinMar 31, 2025
  • Major pinball tournament destination Bowden began traveling to after early tournament success

    Episode 7: Steven Bowden, Fun With BonusNov 29, 2016
  • Location of Williams pinball manufacturing headquarters; represented cultural shock to Mark Richie from California

    TOPCast 49: Mark RitchieAug 29, 2007
  • Location of Gottlieb headquarters where Osborne relocated for employment in 1972

    TOPCast 34: John OsborneMay 16, 2007
  • Location of Williams Pinball factory; where Silver relocated to work

    TOPCast 20: Cameron SilverMar 25, 2007
  • Location of Stern Pinball factory and media day event

    Pokémon Pinball is Finally Here and It's Not What I ExpectedFeb 14, 2026
  • Origin point for Evil Dead shipment before air freight to Japan and then Australia

    Incredible Pinball Machine | Unboxing Spooky Pinball’s Evil Dead – First Look & Gameplay Showcase!Aug 27, 2025
  • Location of American Pinball manufacturing facility; Vincent values city for resources and operational benefits

    INTERVIEW - Bryan Vincent (American Pinball)Jan 20, 2026
  • Kyle's current residence; location of Stern Pinball headquarters

    Episode 432: Kyle SpiteriNov 27, 2025
  • City where Sterling Martin flew to, then traveled to Wisconsin for Spooky event

    EP05 I Played Beetlejuice!Nov 16, 2025
  • Design and R&D hub for Jersey Jack; location of vendor ecosystem for pinball parts; Pat Lawlor's model shop location; manufacturing eventually planned to relocate here

    The Eras Tour - Jersey Jack Pinball Part 2Jan 5, 2026
  • Launch event location

    Stern Pinball - Avengers Launch Party - Chicago - Emporium Arcade BarMar 5, 2013
  • Location referenced in game narrative ('Chicago is mine')

    Are you ready to fight? 👽🛸Feb 28, 2023
  • Referenced as pinball manufacturing center with Stern as major local manufacturer

    Stern Pinball's Brewcade Hopping with Two Brothers Brewing CompanyJan 23, 2025
  • Existing: Gottlieb headquarters in Chicago where Osborne relocated in 1972 (mention 10)vsConflicting: Western Equipment and Gottlieb both operating in Chicago during Wayne Neyens' career (mention 16)
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 3, 2026