The Brisbane Pinball & Arcade Collective (BPAC) is a Brisbane-based incorporated association formed in January 2019 with the purpose of promoting competitive pinball, arcade, and classic gaming in Australia. Founded by representatives from local venues including Netherworld, Pinball Haus, and 1 Up Freeplay Arcade, BPAC exists to elevate the visibility of these games through professionally run, inclusive, and community-driven events.

The BPAC Showcase is an annual five-day event held mid-year that brings together players, collectors, and fans from around Australia and across the globe. The Showcase features Australia’s most prestigious pinball tournament, the Brisbane Masters, alongside the Australian Kong Off, Arcade Championships, and the Australian Women’s Pinball Championships. Competitors have the opportunity to earn high-value World Pinball Player Ranking (WPPR) points, while spectators and players alike experience some of the fiercest pinball and arcade competition in the region.

While competition is central to BPAC, community always comes first. The event is designed to be welcoming and accessible — providing new players with a relaxed entry point into competitive gaming, while allowing experienced and veteran competitors to engage in high-level and nostalgic play. There are no age cut-offs for entry, events are deliberately priced to remain accessible, and BPAC continues to explore initiatives such as pay-it-forward tickets to ensure financial hardship is not a barrier to participation.

Giving back is a core pillar of BPAC’s mission. Since launching in 2019, BPAC has raised over $12,000 for charities including the Starlight Foundation, UNICEF, Orange Sky, Headspace, and Doctors Without Borders, contributing to more than $2 million in broader community impact. Each year, the event hosts a dedicated Friday night free-play charity session, with all proceeds donated to the selected charity, ensuring BPAC’s impact extends well beyond the competition floor.

BPAC is powered entirely by passionate volunteers — from the organising committee to event staff and machine donors who form the backbone of the game lineup. Since its beginnings at the Brisbane EKKA in 2019, BPAC has grown year on year, moving through BrewDog Murarrie and into its current home at the Moorooka Clubhouse. In 2024, over 200 players from around the world competed in the Brisbane Masters, marking a major milestone. Looking ahead, and with Brisbane set to host the Olympic Games in 2032 alongside the rise of esports and alternative competitive formats, BPAC’s long-term vision is to one day host the Pinball World Championships — cementing Brisbane as the pinball and retro-gaming hub of the Southern Hemisphere.