Tabletop games' popularity holds up as people seek off-screen connections, Asmodee CEO says

Tabletop games continue to attract customers despite people seeking alternative forms of social connection, according to Asmodee CEO Thomas Koegler. The CEO spoke ahead of the December sales rush and highlighted that the industry benefits from strong sociological dynamics of spending time with loved ones. Asmodee, a Sweden-based company, owns the rights to popular board games like Catan and Carcassonne, as well as other notable titles such as Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and One Piece trading card games.

Koegler expects game nights to remain a popular pastime, particularly during the winter holidays when the weather becomes drearier. The end-of-year shopping season is crucial for game and toy companies. According to an international barometer compiled by Asmodee and Kantar in 2026, 74 percent of Gen Z individuals believe that in-person experiences are more valuable than digital alternatives.

In addition to a rise in hobby store sales, Koegler pointed to increased attendance at trade events like Spiel Essen and Gen Con as indicators of the success of Asmodee's efforts to engage players in-person. He noted that these events are packed with attendees who actively engage in tabletop gaming. The largest board game event in the Netherlands, Spellenspektakel, drew 33,000 visitors during its 2026 edition, with the first day sold out.

Asmodee's board game category sales increased by 18.4 percent, while trading card game sales grew by 51.6 percent in their most recent quarter that ended in September. Hasbro's earnings were also strengthened by its flagship trading card game, Magic: The Gathering, ahead of the holiday season.