If 2026 has taught family entertainment centers and location-based entertainment venues anything, it is that “more” isn’t necessarily better.
Guests have become more selective about where they spend their entertainment dollars, and operators are now forced to look harder at experience, value, labor and revenue per square foot.
As the industry looks toward 2027, several trends from 2026 appear ready to become permanent fixtures.
What’s Staying
Hybrid entertainment is here to stay. The days of building an FEC around one hero attraction have given way to facilities that combine arcade, bowling, active play, competitive socializing, mini golf, simulators, darts, and other attractions. The goal is simple: give every member of the group something to do—and a reason to stay longer.
Food and beverage will become an even bigger part of the experience. F&B is no longer simply an amenity that keeps guests from leaving for dinner. Operators are increasingly treating culinary as an attraction, revenue generator, and reason to extend dwell time. Expect better menus, more shareables, creative beverages, and food programs designed specifically around speed and profitability. Even the agenda for IAAPA Expo 2026 points toward where the industry is headed, with multiple sessions devoted to making food and beverage a larger contributor to guest experience, dwell time, and profitability.
Cashless and connected operations will continue their march forward. Arcade cards have become much more than a way to start a game. The next generation connects attractions, redemption, food, parties, loyalty, and purchasing into one ecosystem. For operators, the real payoff isn't the technology itself—it is better data, faster transactions, and fewer operational headaches.
Value will matter more than ever. Families want to know exactly what they're getting for their entertainment dollar. Expect more bundled experiences, memberships, unlimited-play options, and packages that make the purchase decision easier.
What May Fade
The biggest trend headed toward the exit may be technology for technology's sake. VR, AR, and immersive technology will certainly remain, but guests don't care how sophisticated the technology is if the experience isn't fun. The question in 2027 won't be: “Is it high tech?” The question will be: “Is it worth doing again?”
Similarly, massive, expensive attractions with questionable throughput will face more scrutiny. Operators are increasingly focused on labor, maintenance and revenue per square foot—not simply the “wow” factor.
And don't expect the traditional redemption counter to disappear, but expect it to evolve. Giant walls of inexpensive merchandise and complicated ticket economies will increasingly give way to curated prizes, premium rewards, and experiences that feel worth winning.
What's Coming Next?
Perhaps the most interesting 2027 trend will be the convergence of entertainment and hospitality. The best FECs will feel less like arcades and more like complete social destinations—places where guests eat, compete, celebrate, play, and hang out.
The industry will also see more active entertainment designed for multiple generations, more storytelling, and themed environments, with a greater emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity. Even established brands will move toward active-play concepts rather than rely solely on traditional arcade models.
And lurking behind it all will be AI and smarter data—not necessarily as an attraction, but as an operating tool helping facilities price dynamically, schedule labor, personalize marketing, manage inventory, and understand what guests actually want.
The 2027 winner won't necessarily be the facility with the newest attraction. It will be the one that creates the best overall experience—and operates it smartly enough to make money.
