Your local game shop might be the biggest winner in wargaming right now. According to ICv2's Miniatures Week report, Games Workshop posted 18% growth in North America last year, and the bulk of that came through independent retailers rather than GW's own stores. When your friendly neighbourhood shop is running demo games and painting nights, players stick around and spend. That grassroots energy helped push the US and Canadian miniatures market to $585 million in 2025, a 7.3% jump from $545 million the year before.
The acceleration is striking. In 2024, the miniatures market grew just 2%. This year's surge puts miniatures at roughly 16% of the $3.66 billion hobby games market, and the momentum is broad. BattleTech had a strong close to 2025, with Catalyst Game Labs now preparing a full core line revamp for August 2026 that includes the first new core rulebook in almost two decades. Warmachine is also on the rise. Under Steamforged Games' ownership, the system has been rebuilt from the ground up and is quickly becoming their flagship product line.
Not every segment kept pace. RPG-related miniatures flattened as D&D new player numbers dipped after the 2024 edition launch. Retailers who had stocked up on D&D-adjacent miniatures found that the post-launch excitement did not translate into sustained sales.
The bigger picture is positive. Miniatures gaming is drawing in hobbyists and community activity at a pace that would have surprised people five years ago. If you are looking for painting sessions, demo days, or wargaming leagues in your area, Backseat Gamer communities can help you connect with local groups. With publishers investing heavily in new releases for 2026, this momentum shows no signs of slowing.
