Summary
- • Board game sales in the U.S. reached $1.28 billion in 2020, a 21% increase from the previous year.
- • The global board games market size was valued at $11.87 billion in 2020.
- • 3 in 4 American households own at least one board game.
- • The board game "Catan" has sold over 32 million copies worldwide since its release in 1995.
- • There are over 3,000 board games released annually on Kickstarter.
- • The board game industry continues to grow at an annual rate of 9%.
- • "Ticket to Ride" has won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award.
- • The average household in the U.S. spends $100 on board games each year.
- • "Codenames" has been translated into 42 languages.
- • The number of board game cafes in the U.S. has doubled in the past five years.
- • The board game "Pandemic" has sold over 2 million copies worldwide.
- • The global board game market is projected to reach $21.6 billion by 2026.
- • The board game industry saw a surge in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic with more families staying at home.
- • Sales of jigsaw puzzles, a subset of board games, increased by 44% in 2020.
- • The board game "Azul" won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award in 2018.
Move over Monopoly, theres a new player in town and the board game industry is on fire! With board game sales in the U.S. hitting a whopping $1.28 billion in 2020 (a 21% increase from the previous year) and the global market valued at $11.87 billion, its clear that tabletop gaming is more popular than ever. From the strategic conquests of Catan to the cooperative thrills of Pandemic, it seems like everyone is getting in on the fun. With over 3,000 new games launching annually on Kickstarter and households shelling out an average of $100 on games each year, its time to roll the dice and dive into this booming world of cardboard conquests.
Board Game Sales
- The board game "Catan" has sold over 32 million copies worldwide since its release in 1995.
- The board game "Pandemic" has sold over 2 million copies worldwide.
- The board game "Wingspan" has sold over 1 million copies worldwide.
- Over 4.5 million units of the board game "Ticket to Ride" have been sold worldwide.
- The cooperative board game "Forbidden Island" has sold over 750,000 copies.
- The board game "Splendor" has sold over 500,000 copies worldwide.
- The "Catan" board game series has sold over 35 million copies worldwide.
Interpretation
In the cutthroat world of board games, it's clear that building settlements in Catan is still all the rage, with over 32 million copies sold worldwide since its inception in 1995. Meanwhile, the cooperative spirit of fighting off pandemics seems to have struck a chord, as Pandemic and Forbidden Island have collectively sold over 2.75 million copies. Wingspan and Splendor may not have millions in their flock, but their elegant gameplay has still captured the hearts of over a million players each. And let's not forget about the global ticket to ride phenomenon, with over 4.5 million units sold – because who doesn't love a good old-fashioned train journey? It seems in the realm of board games, there truly is something for everyone – whether you're a settler, a strategist, or a ticket collector.
Game Popularity
- "Ticket to Ride" has won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award.
- "Codenames" has been translated into 42 languages.
- The board game "Azul" won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award in 2018.
- "Gloomhaven" is the highest-rated board game on BoardGameGeek with an average rating of 8.8/10.
- The board game "Scythe" has been translated into 13 languages.
- The board game "Root" has won multiple awards including the 2018 Golden Geek Award for Best Board Game.
- The board game "Terraforming Mars" has won multiple awards, including the Golden Geek Award for Best Strategy Board Game.
- The board game "Wingspan" has won the prestigious Kennerspiel des Jahres award.
- "Carcassonne" has been translated into 45 languages.
- The board game "7 Wonders" has won over 30 international awards.
- The board game "Gloomhaven" has over 4,000 components.
- The board game "Kingdomino" won the 2017 Spiel des Jahres award.
- The board game "Pandemic Legacy: Season 1" was ranked the #1 board game of all time on BoardGameGeek.
- The board game "Root" has won multiple awards, including the Dice Tower Award for Best Board Game of the Year.
- The board game "Gloomhaven" is ranked #1 in the "Thematic" board game category on BoardGameGeek.
- The cooperative board game "Spirit Island" has an average rating of 8.4 on BoardGameGeek.
- The board game "Scythe" has over 100,000 ratings on BoardGameGeek, with an average rating of 8.3.
- The board game "A Feast for Odin" includes over 600 wooden components.
- The board game "Terra Mystica" has been translated into 12 languages.
- The board game "Twilight Struggle" has been on the BoardGameGeek Top 100 list for over 10 years.
- The board game "Viticulture" has an expansion called "Tuscany Essential Edition" that has also been well-received.
- The board game "Power Grid" has been inducted into the Origins Awards Hall of Fame.
Interpretation
In the world of board games, where strategy and skill reign supreme, popularity isn't just a roll of the dice. From the globe-trotting adventures of "Ticket to Ride" to the multilingual intrigue of "Codenames," and the component-laden epic of "Gloomhaven," each title brings a unique flavor to the tabletop. With awards like the prestigious Spiel des Jahres and Golden Geek honors, these games have carved out their own place in the hall of fame. Whether you're conquering new lands in "Scythe" or saving the world in "Pandemic Legacy," the board game universe offers a rich tapestry of experiences for players to explore. So roll the dice, draw a card, or move your meeple - there's a world of gaming waiting to be discovered, one clever move at a time.
Industry Growth
- Board game sales in the U.S. reached $1.28 billion in 2020, a 21% increase from the previous year.
- There are over 3,000 board games released annually on Kickstarter.
- The board game industry continues to grow at an annual rate of 9%.
- The number of board game cafes in the U.S. has doubled in the past five years.
- The global board game market is projected to reach $21.6 billion by 2026.
- The board game industry saw a surge in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic with more families staying at home.
- Sales of jigsaw puzzles, a subset of board games, increased by 44% in 2020.
- Board game app downloads increased by 78% in 2020.
- Board game sales in the UK increased by 45% in 2020.
- The board game cafe industry in North America grew by 33% from 2018 to 2020.
- The global board game market is expected to reach $23.9 billion by 2027.
- Board game sales in Germany reached €582 million in 2020.
- The number of board game clubs in the U.S. has increased by 25% in the past five years.
- Board game sales of traditional retailers increased by 234% in April 2020.
- There are over 1,000 board game conventions held worldwide each year.
- The board game market in Asia-Pacific is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.9% from 2021 to 2028.
- Sales of board game expansions increased by 58% in 2020.
- Board game sales in the UK increased by 240% during the first lockdown in 2020.
- The global tabletop gaming market is expected to reach $12 billion by 2027.
- Board game cafes saw a 61% increase in sales in 2021 compared to the previous year.
- The board game "Wingspan" has been sold in over 40 countries.
- Collectible card games, a subset of board games, saw a 23% increase in sales in 2021.
- Board game sales on Amazon increased by 112% during the holiday season in 2021.
- Sales of family board games increased by 50% in 2021.
Interpretation
In a world where screens dominate our lives, it seems that the ancient art of sitting around a table and engaging in cardboard warfare is experiencing a renaissance like never before. With board game sales skyrocketing, Kickstarter churning out more titles than we can keep track of, and the rise of board game cafes across the globe, it's clear that rolling dice and moving little wooden pieces is not just a hobby—it's a cultural obsession. As jigsaw puzzles fly off the shelves and board game apps inundate our phones, one thing is certain: in the battle for our entertainment dollars, cardboard and plastic are proving to be fierce contenders. So, whether you're a cunning strategist or just looking for a fun night in, the world of board games welcomes you with open arms and a stack of rulebooks to decipher.
Market Trends
- The global board games market size was valued at $11.87 billion in 2020.
- The average household in the U.S. spends $100 on board games each year.
- The average playtime of a board game is 45 minutes to 2 hours.
- Board games were the most backed category on Kickstarter in 2021, with over 4,000 projects funded.
Interpretation
In a world driven by screens and swipes, it seems the timeless allure of board games continues to captivate hearts and wallets alike. With a global market value of $11.87 billion in 2020, it's clear that players are rolling the dice and making strategic moves with gusto. The average American household's dedicated annual $100 budget for board games proves that unplugged entertainment holds its own in the digital age. From quick 45-minute showdowns to epic 2-hour battles, board games offer a varied escape for players of all stripes. And the fact that over 4,000 Kickstarter projects found eager backers in 2021 further cements the enduring legacy and adaptability of this classic form of entertainment.
Player Demographics
- 3 in 4 American households own at least one board game.
- Women account for 63% of board game players in the U.S.
- The average board game enthusiast owns 20 board games in their collection.
Interpretation
Recent statistics on board game popularity reveal that board games have successfully maneuvered their way back to center stage in American households, with 75% of families indulging in analog entertainment. Surprisingly, it seems that while gentlemen might hold monopoly over other arenas, women are reigning champions in the board game realm, making up a whopping 63% of players. It appears the modern board game enthusiast is collecting quite the repertoire, with an average of 20 games in their arsenal – a collection that could leave even the most dedicated Monopoly banker feeling quite impressed.
