Board Games Market - By Product Type (Monopoly, Scrabble, Chess, Puzzles, Card & Dice, Collectible Card, Miniature, Others), By Game Theme (Strategy & War, Sci-Fi Games, Fantasy Games, Sports, Others), By Age Group, By Distribution Channel, Forecast, 2024 – 2032

Board Games Market Size

Board Games Market size was valued at USD 12 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of over 4.5% between 2024 and 2032. Board game designers are exploring diverse themes and mechanics, catering to a wide range of interests and preferences. This includes cooperative & competitive gameplay to thematic storytelling and strategy. Board games based on popular Intellectual Properties (IPs), such as movies, TV shows, and video games, continue to be popular. Licensed games leverage existing fan bases and offer familiar themes & characters, attracting both hardcore fans and newcomers to the hobby.
 

Additionally, board games are no longer a niche hobby. They are becoming more inclusive and accessible to a wider demographic including families, casual gamers, and adults looking for social experiences. Despite the rise of digital entertainment, these games have experienced a resurgence in popularity. People are seeking more social and offline activities, leading to increased interest in board games. With increased market competition, there is a greater emphasis on high-quality components including artwork, miniatures, and durable game components. Publishers are investing in production values to enhance the overall gaming experience and justify higher price points.
 

The market has broadened its appeal beyond traditional demographics including families and casual gamers. It still primarily targets a specific niche audience. Expanding beyond this core audience can be challenging, particularly in regions or communities where board gaming is less culturally ingrained. The board games market often experiences seasonal fluctuations in sales with peak periods around holidays and gift-giving seasons.
 

This can create challenges for companies in terms of inventory management, cash flow, and maintaining consistent revenue throughout the year. The market is also facing competition from digital entertainment such as video games, mobile apps, and streaming services. These platforms offer convenient and immersive experiences that can detract from the appeal of these traditional games.
 

Board Games Market Trends

Board games based on movies, TV shows, and video games continue to be popular. Licensed games leverage existing fan bases and offer familiar themes & characters, attracting both hardcore fans and newcomers to the hobby. Specialty board game stores, cafes, and bars are becoming more common, providing dedicated spaces for individuals to meet, play & purchase games. This trend reflects the growing demand for community-oriented gaming experiences. The interest in board games as a social activity has resurged, fueled by trends such as the rise of tabletop gaming cafes, board game conventions, and the popularity of board game-related content on platforms including YouTube & Twitch.
 

Additionally, board games are benefiting from cross-media promotion with tie-ins to popular movies, TV shows, video games, and books attracting new players, leading to market expansion. The market is experiencing significant growth globally, driven by the increasing demand in regions such as Asia Pacific and Latin America due to factors such as rising disposable incomes, urbanization, and growing awareness of board gaming as a recreational activity.
 

Board Games Market Analysis

Based on product type, the market can be divided into monopoly, scrabble, chess, puzzles, card & dice, collectible card, miniature, and others. The monopoly segment dominated the market, accounting for USD 2.8 billion in 2023. Monopoly is one of the most recognizable board games globally. Its iconic design, familiar gameplay mechanics, and enduring legacy make it a household favorite. This brand recognition translates into an established audience and consumer trust.
 

Monopoly has straightforward and easy-to-understand gameplay, making it accessible to a wide range of players including children and adults. Its blend of luck and strategy appeals to both casual and serious gamers. Additionally, monopoly has successfully transitioned into the digital realm with video game adaptations and mobile apps, which is expected to propel segment growth over the forecast period.
 

Based on game theme, the board games market is categorized into strategy & war, sci-fi games, fantasy games, sports, and others. In 2023, the strategy & war segment accounted for a market share around 35% - 45%. Strategy & war themes tend to engage players deeply as they require planning, critical thinking, and decision-making. This engagement can lead to longer play sessions and higher replay value. There is a dedicated audience for these board games including enthusiasts of military history, tactics, and strategic thinking. By catering to this audience, game designers can create a loyal fan base, which is expected to propel segment landscape.
 

Additionally, strategy & war board games often encourage social interaction, cooperation, and competition among players. This fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among enthusiasts, leading to organized events, tournaments & online forums for discussion and strategy sharing.

Based on distribution channel, the board games market is divided into online and offline. In 2023, the online segment led the market with a share around 60%. Offline channels allow face-to-face interactions between customers and knowledgeable staff. Store employees can provide personalized recommendations based on a customer's preferences, leading to a more satisfying purchasing experience. Physical stores provide the opportunity for customers to inspect board games before purchasing them, enabling a hands-on experience for customers to make informed decisions, and encouraging impulse purchases.
 

Additionally, local game stores often serve as hubs for board game enthusiasts to gather, meet fellow gamers, and participate in events such as game nights, tournaments, or demos. This sense of community fosters engagement and loyalty among customers, resulting in repeat visits and purchases.
 

North America dominated the board games market, generating USD 3.6 billion in 2023 due to the strong presence of established publishers, enthusiastic gaming communities, and cultural acceptance of board gaming as a recreational activity. Additionally, rising disposable income, increased interest in board games, and a growing middle class with leisure spending power are propelling the regional market.
 

Board Games Market Share

In 2023, dominant market players including Hasbro Inc., Mattel Inc., Ravensburger AG, Asmodee Group, and Goliath Games LLC collectively held a substantial 15 - 20% market share. The market is highly fragmented with industry leaders actively engaged in strategic initiatives such as mergers & acquisitions, facility expansion, and partnerships to broaden their product portfolios, reach a wider customer base, and strengthen their market presence. These companies continuously invest in research & development to improve their products and incorporate new technologies, allowing them to stay ahead of the competition.
 

Board Games Market Share

Major players operating in the board games industry include:

• Hasbro Inc.
• Mattel Inc.
• Ravensburger AG
• Asmodee Group
• Goliath Games LLC
• Spin Master Corp.
• University Games Corp.
• PlayMonster LLC
• Z-Man Games LLC
• HABA - Habermaass GmbH
• Fantasy Flight Games
• Schmidt Spiele GmbH
• CMON Limited
• Days of Wonder
• USAopoly Inc.
• Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG
• IELLO
• Czech Games Edition
• Indie Boards and Cards
• North Star Games
   

Board Games Industry News

• In May 2022, NetEase Inc., a leading internet and online service provider in China, updated and renewed its major 50 titles that are in high demand globally, covering both the PC and mobile game markets.
   
• In May 2022, Mattel Inc., a board game and entertainment company based in the U.S., launched the Wild Twists playing card game, facilitating the entry of its flagship product, UNO cards, into a new category of gameplay and collectible cards.
   

The board games market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) and volume (Million Units) from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments:

Click here to Buy Section of this Report

Market, By Product Type

• Monopoly
• Scrabble
• Chess
• Puzzles
• Card & dice
• Collectible card
• Miniature
• Others (Rummikub, Candy Land, Battleship)

Market, By Game Theme

• Strategy & war
• Sci-Fi games
• Fantasy games
• Sports
• Others (educational, historical games)

Market, By Age Group

• 2 - 5 years
• 5 - 12 years
• 12 - 25 years
• Above 25 years

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Rest of North America 
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Malaysia
  • Indonesia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America 
• MEA
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA