Germany is widely regarded as one of the biggest markets for board games in the world. German board game culture has a long history, and many popular games have originated from here. But how big is this market actually? 

Market size

In terms of market size, according to the 2020 “Global Games Market Report” by Newzoo, Germany was the 5th largest game market in the world, with a total revenue of $6.2 billion. Although this report mainly focuses on video games, it can give an indication of the size of the overall gaming market in Germany.

Regarding the board game market specifically, Statista gathered reports from 2020 that show that the board game market in Germany generated revenues of around €730 million in 2019, and €750 million in 2021, making it the largest board game market in Europe.

The report also states that the board game market in Germany has grown steadily over the past decade, with an average annual growth rate of 6%, while experiencing a 20% peak during 2021-22.

Preferred genres

German board game enthusiasts are known for their passion and expertise. Many German players enjoy complex, strategic games, and there is a thriving community of board game bloggers, reviewers, and content creators who cater to this audience.

Statista also shows that the most popular board game categories among German players are strategy games (51%), followed by classic family games (36%), card games (29%), and quiz games (24%).

Major board game fairs

Furthermore, Germany is home to the annual Essen SPIEL fair, which is one of the largest board game trade fairs in the world, as well as the Spielwarenmesse Nuremberg, and Berlin Brettspiel Con. These well-known fairs and conventions attract thousands of visitors from around the globe every year, and many game publishers use it as a platform to launch and showcase their games.

The German market for board games is a significant and vibrant industry with a dedicated player base and a strong presence in both domestic and international markets. And, not only in our opinion, it should be considered by any game publisher looking to expand their reach.

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