212.3 Million Americans (67%) Play Video Games Weekly

A new industry report shows that video games are now a weekly pastime for two-thirds of all Americans, with players spanning from young children to octogenarians. The 2026 Essential Facts About the U.S. Video Game Industry report, published by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) in partnership with YouGov, found that 212.3 million people between the ages of 5 and 90 play for at least one hour per week. This figure represents 67 percent of the U.S. population and marks an increase of 7.2 million players, or 3 percent, from the previous year.

The demographic profile of the average player continues to evolve. The study, based on a survey of 13,545 respondents, found the average gamer is now 37 years old, with half of all players aged 35 or older. Active players are 53 percent male and 46 percent female. The data also reveals significant participation across all age groups: more than 80 percent of those in Generation Alpha (ages 5-13) and Generation Z (ages 14-29) play weekly, alongside 71 percent of Millennials, 56 percent of Generation X, and 50 percent of Baby Boomers. Notably, 32 percent of those aged 81 to 90, often referred to as the Silent Generation, also report...