How to Join ToPL or Sign Up for the Next Season

Updated

To join the Toronto Pinball League (ToPL), contact the league organizers before attending a session—especially now, since the next season is close to its announced 48-player limit. The site's latest news post asks anyone interested in playing next season who hasn't already told the organizers to get in touch before heading to Nick's on Monday, so they can confirm there's room. Returning and new players are both welcome; last season drew over 50 people who played at least one week.

What ToPL Is

ToPL (topl.ca) is The Toronto Pinball League, a pinball league that runs in seasons and holds weekly play plus a playoff tournament. The site's news post describes Season 4 (2026) as one of its most successful, with more than 50 players appearing in at least one week and 34 playing at least four weeks—the threshold to qualify for WPPRs (World Pinball Player Rankings points).

How a Season Works

  • Weekly play: Players compete across the season; playing at least four weeks qualifies you for WPPRs.
  • Divisions: Play is split into divisions. In the Season 4 playoffs, A division standings mirrored qualifying, and B division grew larger than ever—large enough that the format had to be shifted at the last minute to fit everyone.
  • Playoffs: A hosted playoff tournament closed the season with 41 players.
  • Season awards: The season championship was tied between Sergio and Donna, and Donna took Most Improved. Both earned a replay into the next season.

Organizers have said that, assuming the numbers hold, they will likely split playoffs into three divisions (A/B/C) with payouts for all three, and are looking at format changes to maximize games and minimize waiting.

How to Sign Up for Next Season

  1. Contact the organizers before attending. The news post specifically asks interested players who haven't already let the league know to get in touch before heading to Nick's on Monday, so capacity can be confirmed.
  2. Do it early. The league announced a 48-player limit for next season and is already close to it.
  3. Show up ready to play. Sessions are held at venues including Nick's; the post references heading there on Monday.

What to Know Before You Commit

Item Detail from the site
Season limit 48 players announced for next season
WPPR qualification Play at least 4 weeks
Recent season size 50+ players played at least one week; 34 qualified for WPPRs
Playoff size (Season 4) 41 players
Planned changes Possible A/B/C playoff split with payouts; format tweaks to reduce waiting
Known issue B division format wasn't ideal and organizers are discussing fixes

The league has also acknowledged past problems with game availability, saying it will make sure not to end up short on working games again—useful context if you're deciding whether to commit to a full season.

Practical Notes

  • If you're a new player, you'll be joining alongside other newcomers; the Season 4 post notes new faces as well as returning ones.
  • If you're returning after time away, you're in good company—the post welcomes back players who had been absent.
  • Because the player cap is close to being reached, treat "contact first" as a requirement rather than a formality.