The average age of US gamers has risen to 37, according to a new study, challenging the stereotype that video games are primarily for children and teenagers. The Entertainment Software Association's 2026 Essential Facts About The US Video Game Industry report surveyed 13,545 US respondents between February 11 and 25 this year.
Of those surveyed, 9,932 played at least one hour of video games each week, while 3,613 either did not play or played less than one hour per week. The report found that the average age of US gamers is 37, up slightly from 36 in the ESA's 2025 report. Additionally, half of all players are aged 35 or older.
Demographic Breakdown
The largest gaming demographics are the 18-34 age group and the 50+ age group, each accounting for 29% of players. The gender breakdown is closer than many might expect, with 53% of active players being male and 46% female. However, this includes all forms of video games, including browser and mobile titles.
Platform Popularity
The report reveals that 212.3 million people between the ages of 5 and 90 play video games in the US, representing the majority of the country's estimated 341.8 million population. Additionally, 83% of US households have played at least one video game device within the past 12 months. Mobile is the most popular platform at 73%, followed by PC at 52%, consoles at 44%, and virtual reality at 10%.
Genre Preferences
Puzzle games are the most popular genre among Americans, with 59% regularly playing across all demographics, reflecting the dominance of mobile titles. This is followed by 'arcade and other' at 46%, and action games at 43%.
Parental Involvement
The aging audience is reflected in statistics around parents. According to the report, 75% of parents play video games, and 81% of those who play do so with their children. Furthermore, 73% of all parents surveyed would prefer their child to spend time playing video games over scrolling on social media.
It remains to be seen how these statistics will change as gaming becomes increasingly expensive, especially with next-generation consoles on the horizon. The trend suggests the average age of gamers is likely to continue rising.
