Hello PPC friends,

We weren’t planning on sending an email before the start of the next season, however, there have been some recent events impacting the wider pinball community that we’d like to address.

As you may have heard, earlier this month at the OBX Fall Flippers tournament in North Carolina, trans players were harassed and threatened by an employee of the venue causing at least 10 players to drop out of the tournament. Despite the International Flipper Pinball Association’s (IFPA) clear guidelines regarding inclusivity at their events, the tournament still proceeded as originally planned. IFPA then issued a statement, deciding not to void the results of the tournament - an action that contradicts IFPA’s guidelines and the suggestions by their Women’s Advisory Board. The members of the board subsequently resigned stating that their relationship with IFPA was beyond repair. IFPA has not veered from their original statement, and to date has not addressed the resignation of the board other than expressing their “appreciation for all the hard work and improvements”. 

At this point, you might be thinking, “Well that all sounds terrible, but that happened in North Carolina - how does that impact me as a member of PPC?” As far as PPC goes, our finals are sanctioned by IFPA and scores are submitted at the end of each season to be included in the World Pinball Player Rankings (WPPR). Belles and Chimes and the off-season tournaments have also been IFPA sanctioned in the past.

In light of further details that have emerged and IFPA’s lack of leadership in following their own guidelines, the decision has been made to sever PPC’s relationship with IFPA. As a result, PPC will not submit scores at the end of the Winter 2026 season or future seasons. This position will be reevaluated if and when IFPA makes meaningful changes.

What makes PPC a great group to hang with each Monday is the community that has been built. That we are inclusive and accepting of everyone and that we have each other’s backs if someone were to cause trouble or suggest otherwise. Submitting scores to IFPA a couple times a year at the end of each season is a small part of the league and is not what makes PPC a wonderful group to be a part of.

Since we’re on the topic, we’d like to reaffirm PPC’s commitment to being a safe, open and welcoming community for all. If on some Monday, you experience or witness anything else, please let us or a Barcade staff member know what is going on. 

In closing we’d like to reiterate Jon’s statement from early this year:

“The current administration has made it clear that they view the rights and dignity of our trans and non-binary friends as theirs to decide. The PPC does not accept or respect this position, and we're never gonna be down with those who do. The crew does not abide.”

- Erica & Felix

NEXT SEASON'S DATES

Week 1: January 12
Week 2: January 19
Week 3: January 26
Week 4: February 2
Week 5: February 9
Week 6: February 16
Week 7: February 23
Week 8: March 2
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Finals: March 9