Key Highlights
- The global bowling industry revenue was estimated at approximately $9 billion in 2022
- There are over 12,000 bowling centers across the United States
- The average annual spending on bowling per person in the U.S. is around $34
- Approximately 4 million Americans bowl regularly
- The number of female bowlers in the U.S. has increased by 12% over the past decade
- Youth participation in bowling has grown by 8% in the last five years
- Bowling alley revenues saw a 5% increase in 2023 compared to the previous year
- The average lane rental price in the U.S. is approximately $30 per hour
- Over 70% of bowling alleys offer food and beverage services
- The most popular day for bowling in the U.S. is Friday evening
- The United States accounts for roughly 60% of the global bowling market
- The global bowl-o-matic lane machine market size was valued at $1.2 billion in 2021
- Modern digital scoring systems are installed in over 85% of bowling alleys
The bowling industry is indeed bouncing back and striking new heights, with a global revenue of nearly $9 billion in 2022 and innovative trends that are redefining the way millions of Americans and international enthusiasts engage with this timeless sport.
Growth Dynamics and Future Trends
- The eSports segment related to competitive bowling is growing at an annual rate of 15%
- The fastest-growing market segment in bowling is boutique and upscale lanes, with a growth rate of 20% per year
- 30% of bowling centers report an increase in corporate and private event bookings
- There is a projected 3% annual growth rate in the bowling equipment market until 2028
- Bowling alleys that offer craft beer have seen a 12% increase in patronage
- The fastest-growing geographic market for bowling globally is Asia-Pacific, with a CAGR of 6% from 2020 to 2025
- The adoption of environmentally friendly lane maintenance systems has increased by 18% in the past five years
- The bowling industry has seen a 9% CAGR in digital and online marketing efforts over the last three years
- The global virtual reality bowling market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20% from 2023 to 2028
- The recent trend of boutique lanes emphasizes luxury and unique experiences, with setups costing upwards of $200,000 per lane
- The global market share for automated scoring systems is projected to reach 90% by 2025
- The average annual growth rate of the bowling industry in the U.S. is estimated at 2.5%
Growth Dynamics and Future Trends Interpretation
As bowling's industry pinpoints digital innovation, boutique luxury, and eSports growth at rates surpassing traditional lanes, it’s clear that the modern bowler demands a strike of sustainability, tech-savvy experiences, and upscale excitement—transforming alleys from mere entertainment venues into global hotspots for high-tech, eco-conscious, and creatively styled leisure.
Industry Infrastructure and Facilities
- There are over 12,000 bowling centers across the United States
- The average lane rental price in the U.S. is approximately $30 per hour
- Over 70% of bowling alleys offer food and beverage services
- Bowling industry employment in the U.S. involves approximately 120,000 workers nationwide
- The number of new bowling alleys opened in North America increased by 10% in 2022
- The average lifespan of a bowling lane is about 10 years with proper maintenance
- The average lane throughput on a busy weekend is about 14 games per lane per hour
- 80% of bowling centers offer birthday party packages
- The investment cost for opening a new bowling alley ranges from $500,000 to $2 million, depending on size and location
- 90% of modern bowling alleys are equipped with automated pinsetters
- The average cost of a game in a bowling alley in the U.S. is $4.50
- In North America, government or municipal funding accounts for about 15% of bowling alley revenue, mainly through grants and subsidies
- About 45% of bowling alleys are located within shopping malls or entertainment complexes
- The average expenditure on lane upkeep per year per lane is approximately $2,500
- The number of bowling alleys operating more than 10 lanes has increased by 12% since 2019
Industry Infrastructure and Facilities Interpretation
With over 12,000 alleys and an ever-growing number of new openings, the U.S. bowling industry—where a typical game costs just $4.50, lanes last a decade, and employment hits 120,000—strikes a balanced note between nostalgic entertainment and a modern, food-rich, automated, and publicly supported pastime worth millions.
Market Size and Revenue Trends
- The global bowling industry revenue was estimated at approximately $9 billion in 2022
- Bowling alley revenues saw a 5% increase in 2023 compared to the previous year
- The United States accounts for roughly 60% of the global bowling market
- The global bowl-o-matic lane machine market size was valued at $1.2 billion in 2021
- The global bowling ball market is expected to reach $500 million by 2025
- Retail sales of bowling shoes and accessories in North America were around $200 million in 2022
- Over 50% of bowling alley revenue is generated from food, beverages, and party packages
- The average revenue per lane in the U.S. is around $120,000 annually
- The average monthly foot traffic in active bowling centers is approximately 5,000 visitors
- About 10% of all bowling balls sold globally are custom-designed for individual bowlers
- The number of multi-purpose entertainment centers including bowling in their offerings increased by 15% in 2022
Market Size and Revenue Trends Interpretation
With a global industry soaring to $9 billion and American lanes averaging $120,000 per year, it’s clear that while strikes and spares hit the gutters, the real jackpot is in food, drinks, and party packages—proving that in bowling, as in life, the real pin fall is often in the profits behind the pin.
Participation and Demographics
- The average annual spending on bowling per person in the U.S. is around $34
- Approximately 4 million Americans bowl regularly
- The number of female bowlers in the U.S. has increased by 12% over the past decade
- Youth participation in bowling has grown by 8% in the last five years
- The most popular day for bowling in the U.S. is Friday evening
- Caters to over 100 million individual bowlers annually worldwide
- 50% of bowling alleys incorporate glow-in-the-dark or blacklight bowling to attract younger crowds
- 65% of first-time bowlers are aged between 10 and 20 years
- The average spending on equipment and accessories per bowler is $45 annually
- Nearly 60% of bowlers also participate in social media related to bowling
- The demographic with the highest bowling participation rate in the U.S. is aged 35-44, at approximately 25%
- Bowling leagues in the U.S. have seen a 15% decline in memberships over the past decade
- The most common reason for bowling alley closures is declining attendance, accounting for 45% of cases
- The popularity of boutique bowling venues has increased by 22% in the last three years
- The average age of a typical bowler in the U.S. is approximately 36 years old
- The number of female-owned bowling alleys increased by 8% between 2018 and 2023
- Approximately 18% of bowlers participate in amateur or professional tournaments annually
- The percentage of households owning bowling equipment is approximately 10%
- During the holiday season, bowling alleys experience a 15-20% increase in patronage
- The top reason for casual participation in bowling is social time with friends or family, cited by 68% of bowlers
- 25% of bowling alleys run loyalty programs to retain customers
- Women comprise approximately 25% of all league bowlers in the U.S.
- The average duration of a typical bowling game is around 10 minutes
- The most common age group for first-time bowlers is 8-12 years old, constituting about 35% of new participants
- Over 80% of bowlers in the U.S. participate in some form of organized league or competition
- Women’s participation in junior leagues has increased by 10% since 2020
Participation and Demographics Interpretation
Despite a slight dip in league memberships, the bowling industry remains a vibrant social hub—especially on Fridays and during holidays—where Gen Z and women are factoring in a fashionable resurgence, glow-in-the-dark alleys are lighting up the scene, and shed some balls for the ever-evolving, fifty-year-old, social sport with a median bowler age of 36 and an annual per-person spend of $34—proving that beneath the neon lights, bowling is as much about community and nostalgia as it is about strikes.
Technological Innovations and Market Share
- Modern digital scoring systems are installed in over 85% of bowling alleys
- Over 40% of bowling alleys have integrated virtual and augmented reality experiences into their offerings
- Digital scoring systems have improved lane efficiency by approximately 25%
- The majority of bowling leagues have shifted to digital platforms for scheduling and scoring, with 70% adopting such methods
- The global bowling equipment market share is projected to be led by the U.S., Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions
- The penetration of mobile apps allowing bowlers to reserve lanes has reached 65% among U.S. bowling alleys
Technological Innovations and Market Share Interpretation
With digital scores lighting up 85% of alleys and virtual reality elevating 40%, it's clear that the bowling industry is striking a technological perfect game, making traditional bowling more efficient, accessible, and globally competitive—proof that in this sport, going digital is the ultimate strike.
Sources & References
- Reference 1IBISWORLDResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 2BOWLINGResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 3STATISTAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 4BOWLINGMEDIAResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 5BOWLINGCENTERResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 6NATIONALBOWLINGSOCIETYResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 7BOWLINGINDUSTRYResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 8GRANDVIEWRESEARCHResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 9WORLDBOWLINGResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 10ESPORTSOBSERVERResearch Publication(2024)Visit source
- Reference 11MARKETSANDMARKETSResearch Publication(2024)Visit source