Opening hours: 
50 Years of Roger Sharpe – The Man Who Saved Pinball
Anniversary, special event and memorial corner at Terra Technica Museum
On April 2, 2026, a special moment in pinball history marked its 50th anniversary.
In 1976, Roger Sharpe proved in New York that pinball is not gambling, but a game of skill, precision and control. In front of the city council, he called his shot – and made it.
This historic moment led to the end of the decades-long ban on pinball machines. Since then, Roger Sharpe has been known around the world as “The Man Who Saved Pinball”.
Today, pinball is internationally recognized as both a game of skill and a sport. Tournaments, championships and a vibrant community – including in Austria – continue to highlight the importance of this unique cultural phenomenon.
Roger Sharpe Event at Terra Technica Museum
To honor this historic occasion, Terra Technica Museum is opening a dedicated memorial corner for Roger Sharpe.
Date: May 23, 2026
Start: 2:00 p.m.
The current admission prices shown in the ticket section apply for museum entry. The tournament entry fee must be paid on site directly at tournament registration.
Program
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Arrival of guests
1:00 p.m. – Special guided tour with backstage insights by Pindigi
2:00 p.m. – Welcome to the event at the Bus Cinema (to the left of reception)
Short video with excerpts from the film The Man Who Saved the Game
Registration for the Roger Sharpe Tournament
Opening of the memorial corner in Sector 5
Followed by the start of the Roger Sharpe Tournament
Award ceremony
Expert talks and a relaxed closing at the Vinyl Bar
Roger Sharpe Tournament
As part of the event, a special tournament will also be held in honor of Roger Sharpe.
The tournament will be played on an electromechanical pinball machine with 5 balls per game.
A game will only count once the Hot Shot has been completed – meaning the player must hit the middle lane with the skill shot directly from the plunger.
Participation rules
Entry fee: 5 euros per game
Each participant may purchase a maximum of 3 games
Maximum total entry per participant: 15 euros
Prizes
1st prize: a new Geiger playfield
2nd prize: a new Geiger backglass
3rd prize: 2 Terra Technica annual passes and 10 tokens
4th prize: 1 Terra Technica annual pass and 5 tokens
5th prize: 1 Terra Technica annual pass
Contact
Pindigiland / Terra Technica
Günter Freinberger
Mast
Phone: +43 664 1001517
E-mail:
Web: www.pindigi.at