Cape Fear hosts North Carolina State Pinball Championship tournament

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY) — Pinball is taking center stage in the Cape Fear area as the International Flipper Pinball Association, or IFPA, hosts its Open North Carolina State Pinball Championship on Saturday. 

“Coastal Hemp Company” will host the top 24 players from across the state as they compete for the state championship title. 

The players range in age, some as young as 15, and will go head-to-head in a single-elimination bracket, with each match decided in a best-of-seven format. 

Kaylee Campbell is the North Carolina state representative for the IFPA. 

She says that even though it’s a competition, the sense of community is what matters most. 

“The community is what keeps the sport going. It’s one of the most positive communities I’ve ever experienced amongst many different competition-type events, and yeah, it’s super inclusive, welcoming to everybody,” said Campbell. 

The tournament begins at noon on Saturday, and anyone interested in watching can stream it live on Twitch.Tv under “Backyard Arcade.”