UAE Board Games Market

UAE Board Games Market Overview:

The UAE board games market size reached USD 92.65 Million in 2024. The market is projected to reach USD 226.69 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 9.36% during 2025-2033. At present, the presence of long periods of high temperatures is encouraging individuals and families to seek engaging activities that can be enjoyed in air-conditioned, indoor settings. This is driving the demand for board games in the country. Besides this, increasing influence of social media is contributing to the expansion of the UAE board games market share.

UAE Board Games Market Trends:

Escalating need for indoor entertainment

Rising demand for indoor entertainment in a hot climate is fueling the market growth in the UAE. Due to long periods of high temperatures, especially during summer months, people often limit outdoor leisure and prefer spending time at home, in malls, and in cafes. According to the National Centre of Meteorology, in the UAE, the temperature in summer was expected to reach 48ºC in 2024. This shift is catalyzing the demand for screen-free, group-friendly options like board games that offer fun, interaction, and mental stimulation. Families use board games to bond, while young adults and children explore new genres such as strategy, party, and cooperative games. Board game cafes and indoor hobby centers are growing in popularity, offering spaces to play and discover new titles. The indoor lifestyle is also leading to longer play sessions, fueling interest in complex and engaging games. Retailers are responding by offering a wider selection and promoting board games as a preferred form of indoor entertainment. Educational institutions and community centers are incorporating board games into activities, further boosting visibility. With inflating disposable incomes and a multicultural population, the variety and demand for board games continue to increase. In the UAE’s hot climate, the requirement for enjoyable indoor pastimes is significantly supporting the ongoing expansion of the market.

Rising impact of social media

Increasing impact of social media is impelling the UAE board games market growth. Social media platforms showcase board games through tutorials, reviews, playthroughs, and unboxing videos, making it easier for both beginners and enthusiasts to discover new games. Influencers and content creators share personal experiences and recommendations, which help build trust and curiosity among their followers. Social media also fosters a sense of community, where players discuss strategies, game mechanics, and new releases. Local groups and event organizers are employing platforms to promote board game nights, tournaments, and meetups, leading to more participation. As visual content is gaining popularity, aesthetically designed games are gaining traction. Social sharing of game sessions among friends is boosting the social appeal of board games as a fun and trendy indoor activity. With a tech-savvy and connected population in the UAE, social media platforms serve as a powerful tool to influence purchasing decisions and generate long-term interest. As per industry reports, in July 2024, the UAE ranked as the country with the greatest YouTube penetration worldwide, with 94% of its digital population engaging on the platform. This constant stream of content and interaction is significantly contributing to the steady growth of the market in the country.

UAE Board Games Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product type, game type, age group, and distribution channel.

Product Type Insights:

• Tabletop Games
• Card and Dice Games
• Collectible Card Games
• Miniature Games
• RPG Games

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes tabletop games, card and dice games, collectible card games, miniature games, and RPG games.

Game Type Insights:

• Strategy and War Games
• Educational Games
• Fantasy Games
• Sport Games
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the game type have also been provided in the report. This includes strategy and war games, educational games, fantasy games, sport games, and others.

Age Group Insights:

• 0-2 Years
• 2-5 Years
• 5-12 Years
• Above 12 Years

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the age group. This includes 0-2 years, 2-5 years, 5-12 years, and above 12 years.

Distribution Channel Insights:

• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Specialty Stores
• Online Stores
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel have also been provided in the report. This includes supermarkets and hypermarkets, specialty stores, online stores, and others.

Regional Insights:

• Dubai
• Abu Dhabi
• Sharjah
• Others

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and others.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

UAE Board Games Market News:

• In February 2024, Times Square Center revealed the expansion of UAE’s premier board games venue, ‘Back to Games’. The board game emphasized building a space where individuals could unite and develop significant friendships, nurturing human connections through their passion for gaming.

UAE Board Games Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the UAE board games market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the UAE board games market on the basis of product type?
• What is the breakup of the UAE board games market on the basis of game type?
• What is the breakup of the UAE board games market on the basis of age group?
• What is the breakup of the UAE board games market on the basis of distribution channel?
• What is the breakup of the UAE board games market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the UAE board games market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the UAE board games market?
• What is the structure of the UAE board games market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the UAE board games market? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the UAE board games market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the UAE board games market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the UAE board games industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.