UK consumer spending on video games reached £5.4 billion in 2025, representing a 7.4% increase from the previous year. This marks the strongest growth in the UK games market since 2020, when the sector saw a 27.9% surge due to pandemic-driven demand. The figures come from the latest report by the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA), which tracks revenue across the country’s entertainment industries, including games, music, and video.
Mobile Gaming Leads Market Growth
Mobile games were the primary driver of growth in 2025, generating £1.88 billion in revenue. This represents an 8.8% increase from 2024, following a 5.5% rise the previous year. Mobile titles now account for more than a third of the UK games market, representing 35.5% of total revenue. The continued rise of mobile gaming reflects broader trends in consumer behavior, including increased smartphone adoption and the accessibility of mobile platforms.
Ownership vs Subscription Models
Games continue to stand out among entertainment sectors for the proportion of revenue coming from ownership-based purchases. In 2025, 45% of UK games revenue came from direct purchases, compared with 16.6% in music and 7.2% in video. This indicates that, despite the growth of subscription models and streaming services, UK players still value owning games as part of their entertainment experience.
UK Entertainment Spending in Context
Overall UK spending across games, music, and video reached £13.3 billion in 2025, a 7.1% increase from 2024. Compared with broader economic growth, games revenue has expanded at a faster rate. Between 2016 and 2025, UK GDP grew by 12%, while games revenue increased by 86%, meaning the sector grew more than seven times faster than the wider economy.
Market Outlook
While growth in the games market slowed following the exceptional 2020 spike, the sector has regained momentum. ERA CEO Kim Bayley highlighted that innovation in the industry has played a key role in driving renewed growth. She also suggested that the market could continue its upward trend in 2026, supported by ongoing developments in mobile gaming and broader engagement across consoles and PC.
The Role of Mobile in Future Growth
Mobile gaming has become a central pillar of the UK games market. Its consistent year-on-year growth shows that it is no longer a supplementary segment but a core driver of revenue. The flexibility of pricing, wide audience reach, and constant release of new content continue to attract players, contributing to its dominant role in the market.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much did UK consumers spend on games in 2025?
UK consumers spent £5.4 billion on video games in 2025, a 7.4% increase from 2024.
What was the fastest-growing segment in the UK games market?
Mobile games were the fastest-growing segment, generating £1.88 billion in revenue, up 8.8% year-on-year.
How does game ownership compare to subscriptions in the UK?
In 2025, 45% of games revenue came from direct purchases, while subscriptions made up a smaller portion. This is higher than music (16.6%) and video (7.2%).
How does UK games spending compare to overall entertainment spending?
Games are the largest contributor to UK entertainment spending, which reached £13.3 billion across games, music, and video in 2025.
How has the UK games market grown compared to the broader economy?
Between 2016 and 2025, UK GDP grew by 12%, while games revenue grew by 86%, meaning the sector expanded more than seven times faster than the wider economy.
What is the outlook for UK games growth in 2026?
ERA expects the market to maintain momentum in 2026, with continued innovation and mobile gaming playing a key role in driving growth.
