The dates that matter for a hall visit
Pinball Expo’s official admission page lists the convention hall as closed for setup on October 14. Public hall access begins at noon on October 15, with further hall days on October 16 and 17. The venue is the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois. Sunday is listed as teardown, with tournament finals separately noted.
Why the distinction matters
A show’s advertised date range can cover parties, registration, seminars, competition and the exhibition floor. Visitors planning mainly to play should build their journey around the hall opening, then add any separate activity they have booked. Registration opening time is not the same as admission to the games.
A manageable first lap
Our editorial suggestion is to use the first lap to locate a few priorities before joining a long queue. Leave room for unfamiliar machines as well as favorite themes. After a game, note what you enjoyed about its shots, pacing or feedback; those observations make later conversations more specific.
Check the final timetable
Consult the current admission and schedule pages for your day, pass and optional events. Individual vendors can close earlier than the extended hall hours.
Sources and updates
Sources reviewed 2026-10-12. Confirm current schedules and attendance rules with the organizer.