Billiards Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Carom Billiards, International Pool, British-style Pool, Snooker and Others), By Application (Amateur and Professional), and Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

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BILLIARDS MARKET OVERVIEW

The global billiards market size valued at approximately USD 1.26 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1.88 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 6.6% from 2025 to 2033.

Billiards is a cue sports class involving balls and a stick on a rectangular table. It includes carom billiards, English billiards, pool and snooker form a part of the cue sports umbrella. Carom billiards is one of the most popular games. It uses three balls on a table that have no pockets. It is a type of game wherein the player just shoots at the object ball and tries to pocket the cue ball. English billiards combines carom and pocket billiards, featuring three balls (red, white, yellow) with points scored through potting or cannons. Pool, a pocketed variant, includes games such as eight-ball, focusing on pocketing specific balls. Snooker, played on a larger table with 21 balls, involves complex rules and precise scoring.

Billiards relies on specialized equipment to ensure precision and consistency. Typically covered with felt cloth, the table features rubber cushions along the edges for controlled ball rebound. Cue sticks, crafted from wood or synthetic materials, are designed for accuracy and finesse when striking the balls. Due to the differences in size, hardness and resilience, the balls keep bearing so much force that it affects how the games are played. Billiards originated in Europe in the 15th century as modifications of lawn games such as croquet and spread throughout the British Empire. Together with the element of force and strength added wit, mental abilities and tactics, it has remained a mentally challenging game.

COVID-19 IMPACT

"Pandemic reduced demand and halted activities which affected the market"

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the billiards market significantly since customers could not go to the bars, clubs, and pools where they played the game. These closures paused billiards activities for some time, greatly diminishing the billiard tables and equipment market. Lack of access to facilities puts this market under pressure, negatively impacting recreational and professional participation. This was compounded by supply chain disruptions that saw production and distribution of billiards equipment stalled or affected negatively. The shutdown impacted both the manufacturers of those machines, the owners and managers of venues, and the players themselves, underscoring how vulnerable the recreation industry is to global disruptions of social activities.

LATEST TREND

"Demand for customized billiard tables due to home entertainment to drive the market"

The emerging trends in the billiards market and special attention are given to the particular aspects found in the residential sector. Consumers are now looking for designer billiard tables where people want to turn the leisure area into an elegant part of the home. This trend has been prevalent especially due to the pandemic that forced people to remain indoors and turn to home entertainment, which saw them install quality pool tables for home use. This has led to an increase in demand for personalized products. Therefore retailers have had to provide the market with different styles, finishes and designs to suit other peoples’ tastes. This shift puts forward changes in notions of individuality in amateur home furnishings.

BILLIARDS MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on type, the global market can be categorized into Carom Billiards, International Pool, British-style Pool, Snooker and Others

• Carom Billiards: Carom billiards is played on a table having no pockets and the game commonly involves three balls, one of which may be used as a cue ball and the other is the object ball. The aim is achieved by casing the cue and object ball during the same game turn. This is mainly a skill-demonstrating game played in many countries, particularly in Europe and Asia. Carom billiards come in several types that are characterized by different rules, those include straight rail, three-cushion and artistic billiards.

• International Pool: International pool, also known as “pool,” is a cue sport played on a table with six holes and played with eight balls, nine balls and many more. A cue stick is used to knock one’s object balls into the pockets targeting the particular ball the player is assigned but has to shoot the eight or nine ball to win the game. This variant is particularly popular in bars and recreational facilities worldwide as it is easy to access and is about competition. Its popularity can be attributed to features such as high viewership rates during international pool tournaments.

• British-style Pool: British-style pool differs from international pool primarily in its rules and equipment. Played on smaller tables with smaller balls and larger pockets, it includes games such as eight-ball and nine-ball but follows specific British rules. This version is also more popular in the U.K. and Ireland with leagues and competitions being more common. The targeted audiences comprise amateur users or individuals interested in casually playing games requiring better skills and talent, and players interested in playing squad games with enhanced skillful shooting.

• Snooker: Snooker is a game played on a larger table with balls of 15 reds, 6 other colours and 1 white cue ball. The game aims to pot the red balls and then a coloured ball as specified in a shot. It entails conceptual thinking, and mastery of treasured objectives and skills, making it extremely interesting and competitive. Snooker is a very popular game and it has a large number of fans all over the world, especially in England, millions of people watch the BBC snooker events such as the World Snooker Championships.

• Others: The ‘other’ category comprises several forms of billiard games that do not fit into the existing categories. This includes break pool and carom billiards, pinch lateral carom and the new style that has come along saves as they include additional derivatives of new methods of straight and breached. These games are targeted at small segments and tastes or cultures, thus contributing to the diversity of billiards games worldwide. As interest in cue sports grows globally, these alternative formats are gaining recognition and participation.

By Application

Based on application, the global market can be categorized into Amateur and Professional

• Amateur: The amateur billiards segment caters to recreational players seeking fun and leisure. Growth has surged with the rise of home entertainment and personal billiard investments. Many amateur players engage in local leagues and tournaments, fostering community and competition. Social media has also helped expand the segment by sharing experiences and skills. Affordable equipment has made it easier for beginners to join the sport.

• Professional: The professional billiards segment involves high-level competition in national and international tournaments. It requires high-quality equipment to enhance players' performance and precision. Governing bodies organize events and promote the sport, providing platforms for players. Sponsorships and media coverage have boosted visibility, attracting a larger audience. Advancements in technology and training methods have helped professionals refine their skills and foster growth.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.

Driving Factors

"Social trends including events and social media boost the market "

The social trends of pool playing and billiards have aided in expanding the billiards market growth due to the enhancement of billiards' popularity among people. With the availability of bar-based gaming, leagues and competitions the sport has become more popular and has cultivated a devoted community. These events cater to people just prancing and everybody in the athletic training, promoting engagement and participation. Social media significantly impacts billiards culture as the players use their social accounts to share and showcase skills, tutorials and high earnings, making the sport more enjoyable and popular among the younger generations. This digital exposure, combined with the rise of home entertainment, has fueled significant market growth in billiards equipment and accessories, expanding its reach globally.

"Technological advances such as smart tables and VR simulations expand the market"

The advancements in technology are increasingly making the billiards gaming experience more exciting. More advanced types of tables incorporate shot-sensing technology and receive feedback from the players in real time, therefore smart pool tables are becoming a norm. It increases play value and creates the fascination of the technical-oriented people searching for interactivity. Also, virtual reality (VR) is changing players' and teams' traditional practices and gameplay. VR pool simulations are virtual games where a player can practice in any pool without a physically set table. These advancements are increasing the sport's popularity as it is becoming easier and more interesting for anyone to practice and participate.

Restraining Factor

"Increasing competition from a wide range of recreational activities and sports to hamper the market"

The billiards market is threatened by numerous recreational activities and other sports that can negatively impact it. There are different products such as video games, online games and other sporting activities that are cheaper to produce and more acceptable to the younger population. The increase in online-based games such as gaming and e-sports has altered peoples’ leisure time choices and reduced the demand for more billiards. Further, the inconsistent popularity of billiards in different regions means that the markets are fully saturated in some areas and underdeveloped in others, making consistency a problem for the industry’s steady and uniform development. This disparity in demand presents challenges for sustaining a balanced and expanding market, requiring innovative strategies to adapt to changing consumer interests.

Opportunity

"Rise of competitive tournaments and media exposure presents market opportunities"

Professional billiards such as pool and snooker games have more players and higher growth rates. Events such as the World Pool Championship draw millions of viewers from around the globe, benefiting the community. Social media plays a part as players share skills and techniques, propelling more enthusiasts to create. The popularity of billiards is rising steadily in the quest to become a professional sport due to increased engagements in national and international competitions. These include sponsorships, media coverage, newspaper coverage, and prize money that pressure players to demand quality and better equipment that fosters the market.

Challenge

"Changing consumer preferences to challenge the market"

Consumer trends change over time since consumer actions are determined by trends, changes in lifestyle and even social dynamics. There has been a trend of late ‘doing things’ as a form of entertainment, as opposed to traditional sitting and watching, which applies to virtual reality (VR) scenarios, escape rooms and online gaming. This factor affects the billiards market since the game attracts a smaller pool of individuals especially youths who can engage more in events with a click of a button on a screen. There is an increasing demand for entertainment offered through mobile applications and online platforms. Also, customer demographics and their choices may be shifting, and playing billiards may become an issue for such places in terms of popularity. Therefore to become the leading industry, it will be necessary to develop, offer better products and services, and be in harmony with the pace of the new generation of consumers.

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BILLIARDS MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• North America

North America dominates the global billiards market share. The region benefits from a strong competitive play tradition, a vibrant recreational culture, and high consumer spending on leisure activities. The presence of numerous billiard clubs, bars, and recreational facilities further solidifies its market leadership. The United States, in particular, plays a significant role in driving demand for billiard equipment. Also, macroeconomic factors such as the growing economy and increased disposable incomes have inclined people to use personal ones for investment. Also, home entertainment has been on the rise in the region, and this has encouraged the demand for billiard tables and accessories, the tournaments and leagues that are being organized allow the amateurs as well as professionals to test their skills in the game.

• Europe

The European market share occupies one of the leading positions in the world, and such countries as Great Britain and Germany are known for their passion for billiards. Tournaments and dedicated facilities enhance the popularity of billiards and are established in the cultural practices. This consistent demand for high-quality equipment is supported by the rise of e-commerce and organized retail chains, making it easier for consumers to access billiard products and further driving market growth.

• Asia

Asia Pacific has become a promising player in the billiards market and is expected to register the highest CAGR in the coming years. The growth in disposable income and escalation in interest in indoor sports also propelled the market growth. For instance, China and India are ushering more fans to the cue sports thus betting on various recreational facilities such as pool halls and clubs. Changing consumer preferences and increased appreciation of billiards are two major factors for growth in this fast-growing market.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

"Key industry players expanding retail presence to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement for market expansion"

Key industry players in the billiards market are diversifying their outlets by opening more showrooms and signing distribution deals with retailers. This strategy will make consumers use the products directly hence, customer engagement and selling of products is enhanced. Customers can directly access and feel the products to evaluate quality, design and general performance. Thus, these companies are improving customer experience and engagement to build a better brand image and increase competitiveness. It also assists in targeting more customers, especially in areas that may currently have a high demand for recreational equipment, favouring the expansion of the market.

List of Top Billiards Companies

• Iszy Billiards (U.S.)
• XINGPAI (China)
• Brunswick (U.S.)
• Saluc SA (Aramith) (Belgium)
• AYEAH (China)
• CYCLOP (China)
• Xin Kang (China)
• Eastpoint (U.S.)
• Shender (China)
• American Heritage Billiards (U.S.)
• Empire USA (U.S.)
• EPCO (U.S.)
• Sterling Gaming (U.S.)
• Imperial (U.S.)
• Predator Group (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

May 2024: UK-based Mansion Sports has entered into a deal with billiards legend Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes to introduce Mansion Sports Billiards, an e-commerce store catering to billiards across the globe. Launched in Vietnam, the portal aims to provide services for selling cues, tables and other high-quality accessories to expand internationally. As a Brand Ambassador, Reyes will help promote events and initiatives, leveraging his legendary status to elevate the sport’s global presence.

REPORT COVERAGE

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis takes into account both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth.

The global billiards market demonstrates resilience and adaptability despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and competition from alternative recreational activities. Innovations such as smart tables, VR simulations, and rising demand for customized home billiards products are driving growth. Regional dynamics reveal North America’s dominance, Europe’s cultural affinity, and Asia-Pacific’s rapid expansion due to growing disposable incomes and interest in indoor sports. Competitive tournaments and media exposure further elevate the market's potential. Key players are enhancing retail presence and customer engagement through showrooms and partnerships, bolstering brand visibility. Overall, the market is poised for growth, balancing tradition and modern trends effectively.