British consumers are increasing their spending on video games and the various aspects of gaming culture, such as streaming services, donations, and movies.
In 2025, they allocated £66 million towards watching games, streaming, and video content, marking an 8.3% rise from the £61 million spent in 2024.
This surge contributed to a total expenditure of £566 million on game culture in the UK in 2025, showing a substantial 42% year-on-year increase from the £397 million spent in 2024.
These insights are drawn from the latest annual UK Games Market Consumer Valuation report by Ukie, released today by the UK games industry trade body.
Another area experiencing growth within the UK game culture is consumer spending on toys and merchandise, reaching £333 million in 2025, which reflects a 43% increase compared to the previous year.
Furthermore, there is a rising trend in film, TV, and soundtracks related to games. For instance, the Minecraft Movie generated £56.8 million in revenue at the UK box office alone, establishing itself as the highest-grossing video game film in British cinema history. This growth contributed to a 70% surge in game-related film and TV revenue, reaching £159 million in 2025.
However, one aspect of UK game culture that experienced a decline in recent years is the events-and-venues category. Spending plummeted by 39% year-on-year to £5.6 million in 2025, down from £9 million in 2024.
This decline follows the loss of several physical gaming events in the UK, including the Insomnia Gaming Festival and WASD, with attendees noting a decrease in the gaming presence at events like EGX.
Summing up game software, game hardware, and game culture, Ukie’s report shows a 7.4% year-on-year growth in the UK games market, with consumers spending a total of £8.76 billion in 2025.
These figures coincide with the commencement of the London Games Festival today, an annual event running from April 13th to 19th, 2026.
As per a press release, London stands as the third-largest global hub for game developers, following Los Angeles and San Francisco closely. Anticipated visitor numbers for the 2026 festival are expected to surpass last year’s, with over 100,000 attendees, including more than 5,000 industry professionals from over 30 countries.
Ian Murray, the UK’s Creative Industries Minister, emphasized, “Video games are not only entertaining but also a significant economic driver. Recognizing their value to the British economy, the government has pledged £30 million in new funding to support the sector. This investment will boost the careers of talented game developers, creating more jobs and fostering economic growth nationwide as their projects come to fruition.”