Board games are excellent for relaxation and bonding with family and friends. Though old-fashioned, Board games remain in high demand among all age groups, both old and young. Many people play board games as a social activity. For many, it provides a break from modern gadgets. Places like the United States have a large number of board game lovers.
The global board game market is expected to record an annual growth rate of 8.87% and attain a volume of $3.51 billion by 2027. There are a lot many don’t know about board games in 2025. This article reveals some exciting board game statistics in 2025. Let’s explore some intriguing facts about board games that will wow you.
Key Board Game Statistics
General Statistics
1. More than 140,000 games are on BoardGameGeek.
BoardGameGeek is a website with board and game-related content. It offers a wide range of war and card games, and the list continues as it continues to evolve and create new games. The fun part is that it is available for download on the Apple Store.
2. The global board game market will likely hit $39.9 billion at the close of 2028.
As of 2022, its global market stood at $18.93 billion. This is expected to increase by 13.27% in the next couple of years and will most likely reach $39.99 billion at the end of 2028. North America, Europe, and Latin America will contribute to this growth. The Middle East and Africa are other places likely to yield sales increases. The focus areas will be product, theme, geography, and distribution channels.
3. As high as 57% of board game lovers have 1 to 25 board games.
A whole lot of people across the world enjoy board games. Up to 57% of board game lovers have 1 to 25 games. Only 22% of average players own 26 to 50 board games. Those who own 76 to 100 board games are just 5.9%. Only 10.9% of board gamers have up to 100 games.
4. The use of board games increased greatly during the Covid 19 pandemic.
A report by Deutsche Welle shows that the board game market rose by 20% during the pandemic. This large level of growth was due to the stay-at-home policy. Many people found entertainment in board games, which drew them to play.
Board Game Industry Statistics
5. Market volume of the board game sector will likely reach $3.51 billion by 2027.
The global market was expected to hit $2.12 billion as of 2022. Its growth rate will likely rise to an annual CAGR of 8.87 by 2027, causing the board game market’s volume to hit $3.51 close to 2027.
6. Board games worldwide rose to $13.06 billion as of 2023.
Board games, or tabletop games, are expected to be $7.2 billion as of 2017. This shot to hit $10.1 billion as of 2021. It was a 19% rise from the 2019 estimated $8.5 billion market volume. The industry is expected to hit $15.37 billion by the close of 2025. It is likely to reach $32 billion at the end of 2032. This only shows that the market will have a 10.52% CAGR within the timeline.
7. The board games industry will likely have a 6.75% CAGR between 2024 and 2030.
The board games market was worth $27.41 billion in 2023. It is expected to experience a 6.75% CAGR from 2024 to 2030, reaching a valuation of $43.31 billion by the end of 2030. The major drivers of the expected growth are increasing awareness and creating more classic games. Social media, online sites, and forming board game clusters will also hasten growth.
8. A game of chess is the preferred choice for lots of board gamers.
As many as 3 million chess game units are sold annually in the United States. It is an all-time best-seller worldwide. The Queen Gambit, showing on Netflix, helps push further chess sales.
9. Frosthaven is the highest-funded game on a crowdfunding platform.
Frosthaven raised almost $13 million through Kickstarter, the largest board game donation ever made on Kickstarter.
Board Game Demographics Statistics
10. Up to 38% of ladies enjoy playing board games.
A 2020 study showed that 38% of females enjoy tabletop games, which is quite high compared to 29% of their male counterparts.
11. As high as 38% of Gen Z enjoy spending their time with board games.
The younger generation enjoyed playing board games more than older folks. Up to 38% of survey respondents said they enjoy playing tabletop games. On the other hand, just 29% of older folks said they enjoyed board games. This shows that Gen Z has the largest share of the board game market.
12. A good number of people within the age bracket of 25 to 54 play board games.
Board games are enjoyed by people of almost all age groups. People between 25 and 54 are still enjoying chess. A popular saying states that no one is too old to enjoy a chess game.
13. People between 5 and 12 are the biggest board game customers.
Youngsters dominate the game marketplace. The largest users are between 5 and 12 years of age. This is simply because most kids are lovers of games. Most board game youngsters enjoy playing Just One and Dragon Wood. Others that keep them spellbound are Spot It and Animal upon Animal.
14. Scrabble game topped the African board games market chart in early 2020.
Countries like Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, South Africa, and Namibia played Scrabble. In early 2020, the game topped the charts of board games all over Africa. Developed nations like Canada and the United States had many Scrabble players. Scrabble is a beloved game for those in the Netherlands, France, and many other countries.
Board Game Sales Statistics
15. Up to 22% of board gamers spend more than $1,000 a year.
Board games are a means of relaxation for many players. Many people spend sizeable amounts of money buying board games. As many as 22% will spend their money on a board game. Up to 19% will spend $200 to buy a board game. Just 6% of board gamers spend less than $100 in a year.
16. Over 88% of gamers buy board games from street stores.
Most board game lovers enjoy walking to a convenience store to make purchases. These walk-in stores account for over 88% of all purchases. Amazon accounts for 60% of all board game purchases. Kickstarter has just 41% of board game purchases. Some other online spots are Trade Games and Indiegogo.
17. Up to 71% of board players verbally learn about a new game.
Just 17% of game lovers discover new board games online. As high as 71% found out a new game orally. Some other ways are through conventions and online sites. Platforms like BoardGameGeek and Amazon inform you that board games are in vogue.
18. Hasbro shares rose by 12.5% in the first quarter of 2020.
The stay-at-home law in 2020 increased demand for board games, boosting Hasbro’s sales by 12.5% in the first quarter of the pandemic. This surge also impacted its stock value, which rose to $51.87. Reopening its China market drove a significant portion of sales.
19. The choice of play partners is a big deal to 58% of board gamers.
As high as 58% of gamers prefer playing with their friends. Only 5% of people are not particular about who they share a board game with.
Board Game Market Statistics
20. The Asia Pacific market is likely to have a CAGR of 5.6% between 2022 and 2028.
China had the largest share of the Asia Pacific market in 2022. It is likely to continue controlling the region until 2028. The region’s market is likely to grow by a CAGR of 5.6%. China will most likely be at the forefront of the Asia-Pacific market. Its board market is expected to hit $352.5 million in value by 2028. Japan’s board games market will likely grow by a 4.9% CAGR. India is expected to have a 6.6% CAGR between 2022 and 2028.
21. Over 5,000 games were introduced to the board games market in 2020.
Gamers do not seem wary of new board games’ yearly releases. New games are pushed into the board game market yearly, increasing competition among game developers. Over 5,000 games were released in 2020, and the number of new board games has not slowed down.
22. Up to 40% of people enjoy playing board games at home.
Just 33% of board gamers play their favorites at a game store. As many as 40% prefer staying home to enjoy a board game. Only 4% can play a game at a bar, café, or anywhere.
23. Only 43% of gamers can play board games many times a week.
Just 25% of people play games once in a week. Up to 43% find it exciting to play board games several times in one week. Just 17% of gamers choose to play twice a month. A mere 6% of people find it fun to play board games daily.
Board Game Statistics During the COVID-19
24. Searches on board games rose 82% on the Google search engine.
Google Searches on board games rose by 82% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Up to 42% of all searches in the first quarter of 2020 were from the United States.
25. Up to 27.9% of players own a college diploma.
As large as 14.9% of players in the United States had completed college without a degree. Just 27.9% of board gamers have a diploma certificate. Only 8.9% of gamers do not own a diploma certificate.
26. The largest board game market in 2022 was North America, with a 28.88% market share.
The most popular games in North America were European-style. They had the largest share of the market, with $28.88% as of 2022. Trending games like The Settlers of Catan are rocking the market. Meanwhile, Americans tend to love playing games based on luck. These games usually involve opponents and could be less fun.
27. Board gamers buy between 5 and 10 games in a year.
There is always something new in the world of board games. Developers create new games yearly while reinventing old ones to spark gamers’ interest. Up to 41% of board gamers expand their catalog with 5 to 10 new games yearly. Another 27% in the PrintNinja survey bought over 30 new games in a year.
28. Up to 57% of gamers have once funded a board game.
As many as 57% of board gamers have funded a game launching on a crowdfunding site. Up to 90% of the lot had done their funding on Kickstarter. Just 9% made funds available on Indiegogo and Kickstarter. Only 1% funded a board game on Indiegogo alone.
Conclusion
Capturing the moment with family and friends is made possible with board games. Nothing seems better than relaxing over cold drinks with board games. Old-fashioned! But a darling in this age and time. Board games have steadily evolved over the years. The COVID-19 pandemic helped to increase their user base worldwide. The industry’s market size keeps rising as more people see the need to avoid digital devices. Chess is an all-time board game that captures the market every year. Other great games like Gloomhaven, The Crew, and Ticket to Ride are available in 2025. We have yet to see the end of board games as they evolve.
FAQs
Some exciting games to watch in 2025 are Shadow of the Erdtree, Star Wars Outlaw, and Awakening.
Monopoly holds a 1999 Guinness Book of Records title with 500 million players worldwide.
The Board games industry was worth $13.06 billion as of 2023 and will likely reach $14.37 billion in 2025.
An average board gamer has between 1 to 25 games.
North America had the highest % of board gamers in 2022, with 28.88%. Belgium came in first place in 2023 with 31% participation. The United States was in second place with a 23% global share.
