Board Games Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Game Type (Monopoly, Scrabble, Chess, and Others), By Age Group (2-5 Years, Between 5 and 12 Years, 12-25 Years, and Above 25 Years), By Sales Channel (Online Stores, Specialty Stores, Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

The global board games market size was valued at USD 11.88 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 13.06 billion in 2023 to USD 26.04 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.36% during the forecast period.

Tabletop games are becoming increasingly popular as a source of entertainment and recreational activity. Board games, a tabletop game category, are generally perceived to enhance brain function and self-confidence in individuals. As the name implies, these games employ a board to play, which technically excludes card games from the category. To achieve product differentiation, market participants are focusing on developing modern products that require players to strategize and team up to win. Despite the increasing adoption of modern and themed games, board games will likely retain their prominence across the world in the coming years.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Product Demand Surged Amid COVID-19 Pandemic due to Lockdown Measures

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chain operations across industries. Only some end-use sectors, such as travel & tourism faced extreme losses, while a few sectors, such as pharmaceutical and gaming, registered strong growth throughout this period. The gaming industry, in particular, witnessed considerable sales across e-commerce channels, despite the temporary or permanent shutdown of offline distribution channels.

As individuals across the world spent more time at home in 2020, online retailers capitalized on the opportunity of providing consumers with convenient and hassle-free shopping solutions, fueling the global market value. However, board game publishers suffered heavy losses due to the shortage of shipping containers and rise in freight cost, impacting the global board games market growth in 2020. A considerable number of individuals across the globe shopped for board games, such as chess, Ludo, snakes & ladders, and monopoly, during the pandemic period in 2020.

LATEST TRENDS

Rapidly Evolving E-Commerce Shopping Trend to Favor Market Growth

Online sales contributed significantly to the market growth amid the COVID-19 crisis in 2020 as lockdown restrictions encouraged numerous consumers to shop through e-commerce platforms. In this respect, the growing number of sales channels and product availability on various e-commerce platforms will favor the market expansion in the forthcoming years. Traditional tabletop games, such as Ludo and chess, will likely witness strong demand globally in the coming years.

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DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Number of Board Game Bars and Cafés to Favor Market Expansion

Board game cafes and restaurants provide various games for customers, which typically bring individuals together. The ease in lockdown restrictions contributed significantly to the popularity and expansion of board game cafes across various countries. The rapid evolution of board game cafes on the back of an expanding number of board game enthusiasts will propel the market growth. Over the years, board game cafes were established in the U.S., Germany, Dubai, and the UAE.

Adapting tabletop games from popular series, movies, comics, and video games is expected to accelerate the product adoption globally. For instance, in November 2020, after the release of the Queen’s Gambit, a popular Netflix series, the sales of chess sets by Goliath Games, a Hattem, Netherlands-based games & toys company, increased by over 1,000%. Moreover, chess sales on eBay, a California-based e-commerce platform, increased by 215% in 2020 compared to the November 2019 sales. These theme-based tabletop games appeal to new audiences to try games with exciting and distinct characters, fueling product sales globally.

Rising Popularity of Theme-based Games to Trigger Product Demand

Theme-based tabletop games, as the name implies, are based on a specific concept/movie/series. These games are typically popular among children in the age group of 5-12 years as industry participants usually launch theme-based games with characters that are popular among children. For instance, in March 2022, Ravensburger, a German toys & games company, announced the release of a Star Wars-themed tabletop game with characters intended to attract children.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Consumer Inclination toward Alternative Gaming Platforms Might Hamper Market Growth

Digital gaming platforms are gaining widespread popularity across the globe due to the introduction of technologically advanced video games. Furthermore, the rising consumer preference for high-quality graphics and progressive games will positively influence the global demand for video and PC games, thereby hampering board game sales. In addition, the growing penetration of smartphone games may impede the product demand across different countries.

SEGMENTATION

By Game Type Analysis

Increasing Demand for Multiplayer Economic Theme-Based Games to Trigger Monopoly Sales

By game type, the market is segmented into monopoly, scrabble, chess, and others. The monopoly segment accounts for the largest market share owing to the increasing demand for multiplayer economic theme-based games. Monopoly is one of the highest-selling tabletop games across the world and is available for all age groups with various themes in multiple languages. For instance, in July 2022, Hasbro, a U.S.-based gaming & consumer products company, launched Monopoly and Game of Life in Tamil, an Indian language.

The growing popularity of strategy-based and educational games will drive the demand for scrabble. An increasing number of national & international competitions and exhibitions will accelerate the popularity of scrabble word games, most notably among millennials and the gen-Z population. For instance:

• In September 2022, Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), an organization that promotes scrabble in Nigeria, invited 28 players for the 14th Africa Scrabble Championship in Zambia.


• In September 2022, Mattel and the Scrabble Association of India launched the National School Scrabble Championship 2022 for students under 18 years.

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By Age Group Analysis

Rising Popularity of TV Series and Movies to Increase Product Sales among Customers Aged Above 25 Years

By age group, the market is segmented into 2-5 years, between 5 and 12 years, 12-25 years, and above 25 years. The above 25 years segment accounts for a significant global market share owing to increasing demand for board games that are based on popular series, movies, and video games. The rising trend of spending quality time with friends and family at board game cafes and bars will also drive the segment's growth.

• For instance, Gale Force Nine (GF9), a U.S.-based game manufacturing company, announced the launch of ‘Enola Holmes: Finder of Lost Souls’ board game, based on the renowned Sherlock Homes franchise in July 2022.

The 2-5 years and between 5 and 12 years segments are also expected to witness significant CARG in the coming years. The increasing availability of educational and sci-fi-theme-based games will accelerate the product adoption among the 2-5 years and between 5 and 12 years categories.

By Sales Channel Analysis

Increasing Number of Specialty Stores to Boost Product Sales

By sales channel, the market is classified into specialty stores, online stores, hypermarkets & supermarkets, and others. The specialty stores segment holds a significant global board games market share. These stores are gaining popularity owing to the growing product availability and increasing partnerships and acquisitions among market players to expand their retail channel.

• For instance, in August 2022, Asmodee U.S.A. acquired the exclusive English language distribution rights for games produced by BoardGameTables.com to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

The online stores segment is expected to witness considerable growth in the future. The COVID-19 pandemic encouraged consumers to shop for board games from online stores. Given the rising popularity of e-commerce platforms, prospective market players will likely focus their distribution efforts through online channels in the forthcoming years.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The global market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.

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North America accounts for a significant global market share. Given the dominance of internationally reputed market players including Hasbro Inc., Mattel Inc., and Buffalo Games, North America will likely dominate the global market throughout the forecast timeframe. Furthermore, the increasing number of board game conventions in the U.S. and Canada will favor the regional market expansion. At a macro level, the rising trend of social tabletop games, most notably among adults, will also increase the product sales across the North American markets. The past few years have witnessed major industry developments in this region. For instance, in April 2022, Asmodee, a French publisher of card & board games, launched Drinkopoly, its new board game intended for adults, in the U.S.

Europe is expected to record a considerable CAGR over the forecast period, driven by rising consumer disposable incomes and increasing demand for educational and strategy-based tabletop games, especially in Germany and the U.K. European market players are focusing on diversifying their offerings to stay competitive. They are engaging in partnerships and collaborations with other board game companies to facilitate their geographical expansion. For instance, in March 2023, Blueprint Gaming Ltd., a U.K.-based game studio, announced a licensing agreement with Galaxy Gaming, a U.S.-based tabletop games company, to launch a range of tabletop games. This partnership will likely expand growth opportunities for Blueprint Gaming Ltd. to adopt new game variants and increase its presence in unpenetrated geographical territories.

Asia Pacific is expected to witness steady growth in the coming years. The growing trend and consumer awareness of tabletop games as holiday season games to spend quality time with family will fuel the product demand across the region. Furthermore, a growing percentage of millennials & Gen-Z population in the region prefer board games over other tabletop games due to the rising presence of board game cafes and bars. Many market participants are expanding their distribution channel network due to the increasing product adoption in India and China. For instance, in Dec 2021, Publisher Services Inc., a U.S.-based board games company, partnered with CMON, a Singapore-based board game developer, to facilitate the distribution of board game titles across Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

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KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Prominent Market Participants to Focus on Collaborations, Mergers and Acquisitions to Stay Competitive

The market houses numerous international and domestic players competing for a more significant market share in the intensely competitive landscape. Industry participants are adopting strategies, such as mergers & acquisitions, collaborations, and innovative product launches, to stay competitive.

• For instance, in August 2022, Modiphius Entertainment, a London-based tabletop game publisher, launched Homeworld Fleet Command, a new line of miniature tabletop games.

Prospective market participants and game developers are expected to focus their marketing efforts on social media platforms to attract new customers. Crowdfunding platforms will gain traction in the future as relatively new market players will likely focus on launching reward-based innovative and independent games.

List of Key Companies Profiled:

• Hasbro Inc. (U.S.)


• Mattel Inc. (U.S.)


• Buffalo Games LLC (U.S.)


• Goliath Games (Netherlands)


• Masters Traditional Games (U.K.)


• Ravensburger AG (Germany)


• Gibson Games (U.K.)


• Rebellion Developments Ltd. (U.K.)


• CMON Games (Singapore)


• Asmodee (France)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• May 2023: Bambini Africa Edutainment Limited, a company focusing on promoting children’s development and promotion across Africa, announced the launch of five new tabletop games under the Bambini Games brand.


• January 2023: CMON, a Singapore-based board game company, announced its partnership with Alderac Entertainment Group (AEG), a U.S.-based publisher of tabletop games. CMON declared that it was named AEG’s Master Distributor for Asia. The company will be responsible for the distribution and sales of local board games in Asian countries.


• January 2023: CMON collaborated with Spin Master, a Canada-based children's entertainment business, to launch the first retail-only release of the Marvel United tabletop game series ‘Marvel United: Spider- Geddon'. The game features spider family heroes and villains across the multiverse.


• January 2023: Goliath Games, a Netherlands-based toys & games company, along with All3Media International, a U.K.-based television, digital production, and film company, announced the board game version of The Traitors, a BBC reality show to be launched in the U.K.


• April 2022: Asmodee, a France-based publisher of tabletop games, launched Unbox Now, a new board game label in the U.S., featuring 11 popular Asmodee games.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Board Games Market

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The research report analyzes the market in depth and highlights crucial aspects such as prominent companies and game types. Besides this, it provides insights into the latest market trends and highlights crucial industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned earlier, the report mentions several factors contributing to the market's growth.

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Report Scope & Segmentation