Newzoo Forecasts Global Gaming Industry to Reach $213.9 Billion in 2026, Marking a 6.1% Annual Rise

According to Newzoo’s upcoming Global Games Market Report, slated for full release on September 10, the worldwide video‑game sector is set to expand by 6.1% over the next year, pushing total revenue to an estimated $213.9 billion. More than half of this spending is expected to come from two powerhouse markets—China and the United States—underscoring the continued dominance of these regions in driving global consumer demand. When the numbers are broken down by platform, console gaming is forecast to represent roughly 22% of the total market, translating to about $46.9 billion in sales.

This segment is projected to grow at a healthy 5.1% year‑over‑year rate. A key catalyst behind this uplift is the highly anticipated November release of Grand Theft Auto VI. Newzoo predicts that the new title will lift full‑game spending by an impressive 17.5%, making it the strongest growth driver among all existing business models. Mobile gaming remains the largest slice of the pie, accounting for 57% of global revenue and expected to generate $121.1 billion.

The mobile segment’s growth of 6.8% YoY is being fueled by two converging trends: higher average spend per player and the rapid expansion of direct‑to‑consumer (D2C) distribution channels. A recent survey conducted by FastSpring and Omdia revealed that 96% of development studios either already operate or plan to launch their own D2C storefronts. Studios cite improved brand visibility, stronger player loyalty, and richer access to first‑party customer data as primary motivations for this shift.

In contrast, the PC market is projected to hold the smallest share at 21%, equating to $45.9 billion in revenue. Although still growing—Newzoo estimates a 5.3% increase year‑over‑year—the PC segment’s growth rate is expected to decelerate compared with the 12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) forecast for 2025. Despite the slower pace, PC revenue is expected to stay robust, buoyed by premium and mid‑priced titles that continue to sustain full‑game sales.

Moreover, microtransaction‑based models are predicted to reclaim their position as the leading business model across platforms. Geographically, PC growth is anticipated to be broadly distributed, with the Asia‑Pacific region, Latin America, and the Middle East‑Africa (MEA) markets leading the charge.

These emerging markets are becoming increasingly important as the overall player base expands more slowly. While the total number of gamers is projected to rise by 4.4% in 2026, the compound annual growth rate from 2026 through 2029 is expected to settle at 3.2%, bringing the global player count to roughly 4.07 billion.

Newzoo emphasizes that future expansion will rely less on attracting new users and more on retaining and monetising the existing audience. This shift reflects a maturing market where the pool of potential new gamers is limited, and revenue growth will hinge on deeper engagement, higher spend per user, and innovative monetisation strategies. Regional dynamics further illustrate the changing landscape.

Asia‑Pacific continues to be the largest market by player numbers, while the Middle East and Africa are experiencing the fastest growth rates. Mobile gamers are projected to reach 3.10 billion in 2026, representing about 84% of all players worldwide. PC gamers are expected to number 977 million (approximately 26% of the total), and console players are forecast at 651 million, or 18% of the global base.

Player penetration—defined as the proportion of the online population that engages in gaming—is slated to inch upward from 61.5% to 62% in 2026. Newzoo notes that the room for expanding the base through deeper penetration is limited; instead, growth will largely stem from the overall online population expanding by roughly 3.5% to reach 5.97 billion people. In summary, the upcoming Global Games Market Report paints a picture of a steadily growing, increasingly diversified industry. While mobile remains the dominant force, consoles and PC continue to contribute meaningful revenue, especially as flagship releases like Grand Theft Auto VI drive spikes in full‑game spending.

The rise of D2C storefronts signals a strategic pivot toward greater control over distribution and player relationships, and emerging regions are set to play a larger role in the sector’s future trajectory. The industry’s next phase will likely focus on extracting more value from existing players through enhanced experiences, personalized content, and refined monetisation models, rather than relying solely on expanding the total number of gamers.