We are pleased to announce the PAPA 23 World Pinball Championships, the 3rd annual Memorial for Suicide Awareness in memory of Lyman F. Sheats, Jr.

September 10-13, 2026
The Pinball Capital in Stone Park, IL
Proceeds Benefit Suicide Awareness

Before Replay FX and Pinburgh rose to prominence, the PAPA World Pinball Championships were held in twenty different years, with the last such tournament taking place in April 2017 in Scott Township, Pennsylvania. Since that time, we have lost Lyman to suicide. The legendarily challenging format of the World Pinball Championships made this Lyman's favorite tournament, which he won in 2004 and 2006 (he also won the earlier PAPA 3, which used a different format), while consistently reaching the finals in almost every year. The new and renewed PAPA tournament now honors his legacy in the pinball world, as well as his memory as a person.

This new iteration of PAPA championships has seen massive success in its first two years, and we hope to see the event grow again this year and in future years. Since 2024, we have raised nearly $100,000 in charity funds for the 988 Foundation for Suicide Awareness in honor of Lyman, and over $80,000 of prize money has been awarded to players from all over the world across the Main, Women's and Classics tournaments. Four pinball machines have been raffled off: two from Stern, and one each from Chicago Gaming Company and Jersey Jack Pinball... with another machine from Stern being raffled off this year! PAPA 21 and 22 were also streamed live by Tom Graf at Fox Cities Pinball, who will be returning for a third year. Hundreds of thousands of viewers tuned in to watch the Main finals on Sunday!

Players of all skill levels, as well as spectators, are welcome. The capacity for PAPA 23 will be 250 players. Daily wristbands are required in order to be present in the free play and tournament areas Thursday through Sunday. Early check-in will be available from 5:30pm to 10pm at Enterrium on Tuesday, September 1, during the monthly Pinball Super League event. The spectator area will remain open to the public all weekend. Through Project Pinball, we will be raffling off two brand new pinball machines!

Tickets will be available on May 15 at noon Central time, and tickets purchased in the first week will include one free entry to the raffle.

To learn more about how the tournament works, start here or use any of the links on the right.

This event is being brought to you by IFPA Pinball under license from Replay Foundation, in cooperation with Lyman's friends and loved ones. The organizers and sponsors offer you their huge and heartfelt thanks for your support! To offer your assistance as a volunteer, please complete this form.

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