GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Board Game Popularity Statistics [Fresh Research]

Highlights: Board Game Popularity Statistics

  • The worldwide board game market was worth $9.3 billion in 2020.
  • 23.12% of Millennials prefer playing strategy board games.
  • Annual sales of traditional toys and board games have grown by 3%, reaching $ 27.4 billion in 2019.
  • 43% of the US board game market is composed of hobby games.
  • The average board game takes 1-2 hours to play.
  • 16.61% of Gen Xers prefer playing classic board games.
  • 20.50% of Americans aged 18 to 29 years played board games several times a week in 2016.
  • In 2017, board games represented 18% of tabletop game Kickstarters.
  • Europe holds the largest Board Games market share, followed by North America in 2020.
  • Puzzle games make up 27.7% of the most popular board games.
  • An average board game Kickstarter project in 2019 raised over $21,000.
  • By 2027, the Card and Board games segment will grow at a CAGR of 7.2%.
  • Tabletop board game cafes are expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% by 2023.
  • The market for board games in China reached $580 million in 2019.
  • The number of board game hobby stores in North America increased by 15% in 2016.
  • In 2016, the number of board games published on BoardGameGeek exceeded 5,000.

Our Newsletter

The Business Week In Data

Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!

Table of Contents

Board games have been around for centuries, but their popularity has seen a resurgence in recent years. This is especially true during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were looking for ways to stay entertained while stuck at home. According to ValuePenguin, 72% of Americans played board games regularly during this time period.
The worldwide board game market was worth $9.3 billion in 2020 and traditional toys and board games sales grew by 3%, reaching $27.4 billion in 2019 according to Fortune Business Insights and Statista respectively. Additionally, 43% of the US Board Game Market is composed of hobby games as reported by ICV2 with Millennials preferring strategy based ones more than other generations (23%). The average length of playtime for these types of activities ranges from 1-2 hours per session according to ResearchGate’s study on playing times which also found that 2200 campaigns related to them were launched on Kickstarter back in 2017 alone.
Gen Xers prefer classic titles such as Monopoly or Scrabble over others whereas 20% percent aged 18 – 29 year olds are known to engage several times a week with Europe holding the largest share followed closely behind North America; Puzzle Games make up 27 % out of all popular genres available today whilst Card & Board Games segment will grow at an estimated CAGR rate 7%. Tabletop cafes are expected increase 6 % annually until 2023 too. China’s market size reached 580 million dollars last year meanwhile 15 percent growth was observed among stores located within North American borders since 2016 where 5000+ different products can be purchased nowadays including 275 million copies sold globally from one particular title: Monopoly – making it arguably most successful ever created so far.

The Most Important Statistics
The worldwide board game market was worth $9.3 billion in 2020.

This statistic is a testament to the immense popularity of board games, showing that the market for them is thriving. It is a clear indication that board games are a beloved pastime for people of all ages, and that the industry is continuing to grow. This is an important piece of information for anyone interested in the board game industry, as it provides a snapshot of the current state of the market.

23.12% of Millennials prefer playing strategy board games.

This statistic is a testament to the fact that Millennials are increasingly turning to strategy board games as a form of entertainment. It shows that board games are becoming more popular among this generation, and that they are a viable option for those looking for a fun and engaging activity. This statistic is important to consider when discussing board game popularity, as it provides insight into the preferences of a key demographic.

Board Game Popularity Statistics Overview

Annual sales of traditional toys and board games have grown by 3%, reaching $ 27.4 billion in 2019.

This statistic is a testament to the enduring popularity of traditional toys and board games. It shows that despite the rise of digital entertainment, people still enjoy the tactile experience of playing with physical pieces. The 3% growth in sales indicates that board games are still a viable and profitable industry, and that people are continuing to invest in them.

43% of the US board game market is composed of hobby games.

This statistic is a telling indication of the growing popularity of hobby games in the US board game market. It shows that the demand for these types of games is on the rise, and that more and more people are turning to them for entertainment. This is an important insight for anyone interested in the board game industry, as it suggests that the market is becoming increasingly competitive and that hobby games are becoming an increasingly important part of the industry.

The average board game takes 1-2 hours to play.

This statistic is a key indicator of the popularity of board games, as it speaks to the amount of time people are willing to invest in playing them. It suggests that board games are engaging enough to keep people entertained for an extended period of time, and that they are worth the investment of time and money. This is an important factor in the increasing popularity of board games, as it shows that people are willing to invest in them and that they are worth the effort.

16.61% of Gen Xers prefer playing classic board games.

This statistic is significant in the context of a blog post about Board Game Popularity Statistics, as it demonstrates that a significant portion of Gen Xers are still interested in playing classic board games. This indicates that board games are still popular among this generation, and that they are likely to continue to be popular in the future.

20.50% of Americans aged 18 to 29 years played board games several times a week in 2016.

This statistic is a testament to the enduring popularity of board games among young Americans. It shows that board games are still a popular pastime among the 18-29 age group, and that they are not just a relic of the past. This statistic is important for anyone looking to understand the current state of board game popularity in the United States.

In 2017, board games represented 18% of tabletop game Kickstarters.

This statistic speaks volumes about the current state of board game popularity. It shows that board games are still a major force in the tabletop game industry, and that they are still a popular choice for those looking to launch a Kickstarter. This indicates that board games are still a viable option for those looking to make a splash in the gaming world.

Europe holds the largest Board Games market share, followed by North America in 2020.

This statistic is a testament to the immense popularity of board games in Europe and North America. It highlights the fact that board games are a beloved pastime in both regions, and that the market for them is thriving. This is an important point to make in a blog post about board game popularity statistics, as it shows that board games are still a popular form of entertainment in the modern age.

Puzzle games make up 27.7% of the most popular board games.

This statistic is significant in understanding the popularity of board games, as it reveals that puzzle games are a major component of the most popular board games. This indicates that puzzle games are a popular choice among board game enthusiasts, and that they should be taken into consideration when discussing board game popularity.

An average board game Kickstarter project in 2019 raised over $21,000.

This statistic speaks volumes about the popularity of board games in 2019. It shows that board game projects on Kickstarter were able to generate a significant amount of funding, indicating that there is a large and enthusiastic audience for board games. This is a clear indication that board games are still a popular form of entertainment and that people are willing to invest in them.

By 2027, the Card and Board games segment will grow at a CAGR of 7.2%.

This statistic is a testament to the increasing popularity of board games, indicating that the segment is expected to experience a steady growth in the coming years. It is a sign that board games are becoming more and more popular, and that people are increasingly turning to them for entertainment and leisure. This is an important statistic to consider when discussing board game popularity, as it shows that the trend is likely to continue in the future.

Tabletop board game cafes are expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% by 2023.

This statistic is indicative of the increasing popularity of tabletop board game cafes, suggesting that the trend of playing board games in a cafe setting is on the rise. This is an important statistic to consider when discussing board game popularity, as it shows that people are increasingly looking for ways to enjoy board games in a social setting.

The market for board games in China reached $580 million in 2019.

This statistic is a testament to the growing popularity of board games in China. It shows that the market for board games in the country has grown significantly in recent years, indicating that more and more people are discovering the joys of playing board games. This is an important statistic to consider when discussing board game popularity statistics, as it demonstrates the potential for further growth in the industry.

The number of board game hobby stores in North America increased by 15% in 2016.

This statistic is indicative of the growing popularity of board games in North America. The 15% increase in board game hobby stores demonstrates that more people are interested in playing board games, and that the board game industry is thriving. This is an important statistic to consider when discussing board game popularity statistics, as it shows that board games are becoming increasingly popular.

In 2016, the number of board games published on BoardGameGeek exceeded 5,000.

This statistic is a testament to the ever-growing popularity of board games. It shows that more and more people are discovering the joys of playing board games, and that the industry is thriving. This is an exciting development for board game enthusiasts, as it means that there are more options than ever before to choose from. It also indicates that the board game industry is a viable and profitable one, which is great news for those who are looking to invest in it.

Conclusion

The statistics presented in this blog post demonstrate the immense popularity of board games, both during and before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the worldwide board game market was worth $9.3 billion and annual sales of traditional toys and board games have grown by 3%, reaching $27.4 billion in 2019. Millennials prefer playing strategy board games while Gen Xers tend to favor classic ones; 43% of US markets are composed of hobby games which take 1-2 hours to play on average. The number of campaigns related to these products has increased significantly over time – 2,200 were launched on Kickstarter alone in 2017 – with an average project raising more than $21,000 that same year. Europe holds a large share when it comes to global Board Games markets followed by North America; China’s own market for such items reached nearly 600 million dollars back in 2019 as well as 15% growth rate for stores selling them across North America being reported at around 2016 mark too. Finally Monopoly remains one among many popular titles having sold 275 million copies since its release making it clear why people keep coming back for more fun experiences provided through tabletop gaming activities.

References

0. – https://www.icv2.com

1. – https://www.stonemaiergames.com

2. – https://www.financialnewsherald.com

3. – https://www.globenewswire.com

4. – https://www.researchgate.net

5. – https://www.etherischeee.medium.com

6. – https://www.technavio.com

7. – https://www.wfmz.com

8. – https://www.chinabankingnews.com

9. – https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com

10. – https://www.statista.com

11. – https://www.boardgamegeek.com

FAQs

Which board games are most popular among players worldwide?

The most popular board games are Monopoly, Chess, Scrabble, Risk, and Settlers of Catan.

What age demographic is most interested in playing board games?

Board games generally cater to a wide age range, but adults between the ages of 25 and 34 show a particularly high interest in playing board games.

How has the popularity of board games changed over the past decade?

Board game popularity has seen a significant resurgence in the last decade, partly driven by social media and the availability of new and innovative games, as well as an increased desire for social and in-person interactions.

What factors contribute to the enduring popularity of classic board games like Chess and Monopoly across generations?

These classic board games endure due to their easy-to-learn rules, strategic depth, and ability to bring people together for fun and interaction, transcending generation gaps.

How has online gameplay influenced the popularity of traditional physical board games?

Online gameplay has both a positive and negative influence on physical board games. On one hand, it has introduced many people to the world of board games, while on the other hand, it has cannibalized some demand as players opt for digital versions and video games over physical board games.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

Table of Contents

... Before You Leave, Catch This! 🔥

Your next business insight is just a subscription away. Our newsletter The Week in Data delivers the freshest statistics and trends directly to you. Stay informed, stay ahead—subscribe now.

Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!