25+ Impressive Board Game Statistics (Jun 2023)

Board games have been enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds for centuries. From ancient games like chess and Go to modern classics like Monopoly and Settlers of Catan, board games have always been a popular form of entertainment.

With the rise of digital gaming, board games have also seen a surge in popularity, with many new games being created and old favorites being reimagined.

Key Board Game Statistics

• The global tabletop game market was valued at $2.5 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow by 60% in the next decade [1].
• The global market value of board games and card games hit the $12 billion mark in 2018 and is forecasted to hit $21 billion by 2025 [2].
• By 2023, the global market value of board games is set to hit $12 billion [3],[4].
• Frosthaven is the most successfully funded projects on Kickstarter, raising close to $13 million from the platform as of February 2023 [7].
• The board game market is expected to grow by $4 billion over the next four years [8].
• In Germany, Board games generated 747 million Euros (US$ 815 million) in the year 2021, showing a drastic increase from the previous year [9].
• Retail sales of games and puzzles in the United States totaled to $3.50 billion in 2022, almost the same as the previous year’s sales [10].

Board Game Industry Overview

Believe it or not, people know little to nothing about the board game industry statistics. At the surface level, even the most avid gamers know what the best selling board game is right now. But there’s more to the numbers than just playing board games.

Let’s take a look at some interesting board game industry statistics that prove how big the industry is:

• The global tabletop game market, covering everything from board games to dice games to trading card games, was valued at $2.5 billion in 2021. It’s expected that the industry will grow by as much as 60% within the next decade [1].
• The global market value of board games and card games was estimated at about $12.02 billion in 2018. The forecast shows that the value will increase to $21.56 billion by 2025 [2].
• The global market value of board games is expected to hit $12 billion by 2023 [3],[4].
• The CAGR of the board game market is expected to hit 12.29% from 2021 to 2030 [5].
• In the United States alone, the market value of board games was estimated at $2.23 billion in 2019 and forecasted to hit $3.73 billion by 2025 [6].

Board Game Revenue Statistics

The global board games market is huge and continues to grow over the next decade. But how does that growth convert into revenue? For this section, we’ll go over the board game industry statistics that focus on revenue.

• The most funded board game on Kickstarter is Frosthaven as of February 2023. The game raised more than $13 million dollars from crowdfunding. They’re followed by Kingdom Death: Monster 1.5 with more than $12 million raised and Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game with $9.5 million raised [7]
• The board game market will grow by $4 billion over the next four years [8].
• Revenues from board games in Germany hit 747 Euro (US$ 815 million) in the year 2021, showing a drastic increase from the previous year [9].
• Retail sales of games and puzzles in the United States totaled to $3.50 billion in 2022, almost the same as the previous year’s sales [10].
• More than 22% of gamers spend over $1,000 on board games and 41% of gamers purchase anywhere between five to ten board games a year [11].
• Chess is still the highest selling board game of all time, generating almost over 3 million in sales just in the USA alone [12].
• Tabletop games have the highest market share as of 2020 [13].
• In Canada and USA, hobby games sales figures show an increase from 160 to 435 million between 2014 and 2020 [14.]

Board Game Popularity Statistics and Demographics

Now that we know how much money the board game industry makes every year, and what the board game industry trends look like, it’s time to look at the people making these insane board game sales possible.

The media has painted board game enthusiasts as nerdy or geeky, but you and I know that’s not the case. Vin Diesel and Joe Manganiello are Hollywood A-listers, but did you know they’re also board game enthusiasts? Both Vin and Joe are well-known in Dungeons and Dragons circle, and they’re vocal about their love for the game.

Henry Cavill openly admits to playing Warhammer 40K and is considered by many as the King of the Geeks.

As more celebrities share their profound love for board games, it comes as no surprise that the global board games market is expected to grow thanks to their influence. But enough about celebrities.

Why don’t we go over the popularity statistics and demographics behind the board games industry:

• In 2021, 85% of online conversations about Terraforming Mars were carried out by Men. 50% of conversations online about Jenga were also made by men. However, women scored the highest in terms of online mentions with 49% [15].
• A survey conducted in Q4 2022 shows that 70% of men and 74% of women in the United States love board games. The same survey also shows that76% of millenials and 70% of Baby Boomers in the USA said they like Board Games. [16]
• An April 2022 survey showed the frequency of board game participation in the USA. 25% of the survey stated they never played board games while 22% of the survey mentioned they enjoy playing board games once every few months [17].
• People between the ages of 25 and 54 love playing board games [18]. 
• A survey conducted on February 2020 in Japan showed that virtual board games are more popular amongst Japanese women than men. Female respondents of said survey were between the ages of 15 and 29 years old [19].
• From the same survey, board games were the most popular video game genre between Japanese men aged 60 years and up, showing 26% of respondents saying they enjoy the genre [20].

Why Do We Like Board Games?

While technology has given us a myriad of digital entertainment and tabletop gaming options, the allure of board games and tabletop games persists, with a growing number of people rediscovering the joy of playing these classic games. In this article, we’ll explore some of the reasons why people love playing board games and tabletop games.

Social Interaction

Board games and tabletop games provide a great way for people to interact with each other, building friendships and social connections. Unlike solitary video games or binge-watching television, playing a board game requires players to sit together, converse, and engage with one another. It’s an excellent way to break the ice with new people and strengthen existing relationships. This interaction can be replicated when you’re playing online games too.

Mental Stimulation

Many popular board game or games and tabletop games require critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning, which can help to improve cognitive function. By playing games, people can exercise their brains while having fun, which can lead to improved memory, concentration, and creativity.

Variety

Board games and tabletop games come in a wide variety of genres, themes, and styles, which means there’s something for everyone. Whether you prefer games that are competitive, cooperative, or purely for fun, there’s a board game players something out there that will suit your tastes. Additionally, with so many games to choose from, there’s always something new to discover and enjoy.

Nostalgia

For many people, playing board games and tabletop games is a nostalgic experience that takes them back to their childhood. Whether it’s playing Monopoly with grandparents or spending hours playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends, these memories can be powerful motivators for continuing to play these games as adults.

Tangible Experience

Unlike digital games, board games and tabletop games provide a tangible experience that engages multiple senses. From the feel of the game pieces to the sound of dice rolling, the tactile nature of these games can be incredibly satisfying. Additionally, playing games face-to-face with other people creates a sense of connection that simply can’t be replicated in a digital environment.

Escapism

Board games and tabletop games provide a way for people to escape from the stresses of daily life and immerse themselves in a different world. Whether it’s building a civilization in Settlers of Catan or battling monsters in Gloomhaven, these three tabletop games held together can transport players to a different time and place, providing a welcome respite from the real world.

Reference

[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1375151/table-top-games-market-size-worldwide/

[2] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1072042/global-card-and-board-games-market-value/

[3] https://www.statista.com/statistics/829285/global-board-games-market-value/

[4] https://www.statista.com/statistics/680358/retail-sales-value-of-the-games-and-puzzles-market-worldwide/

[5] https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/board-games-market/

[6] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1072765/us-card-and-board-games-market-value-by-product/

[7] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1330795/kickstarter-most-funded-tabletop-games/

[8] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/board-games-market-size-to-reach-revenues-of-around-30-billion-by-2026–arizton-301192937.html

[9] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1334740/board-games-revenue-germany/

[10] https://www.statista.com/statistics/247409/toy-sales-in-the-us-games-and-puzzles/

[11] https://printninja.com/board-game-industry-statistics/

[12] https://www.therichest.com/lifestyles/best-selling-board-games-of-all-time/

[13] https://blog.pipecandy.com/post/board-games-market

[14] https://www.statista.com/statistics/643764/hobby-game-sales-by-category/

[15] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1322893/board-games-online-conversations-gender/

[16] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1326946/board-games-popularity-usa/

[17] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1317823/board-game-participation-level-us/

[18] https://www.meeplemountain.com/articles/whos-at-the-table-board-game-players-and-communities/

[19] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1115622/japan-popularity-video-game-genre-board-games-women-by-age-group/

[20] https://www.statista.com/statistics/1116182/japan-popularity-video-game-genre-board-games-men-by-age-group/