All Competitive socialising articles
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Analysis & InsightIs competitive socialising reaching saturation point in the UK?
The experiential leisure segment continues to expand at a rapid rate, but there are increasing signs a period of market correction and consolidation could be close
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NewsSale discussions continue following Sixes administration
The experiential cricket concept, which called in administrators back in December, has now shuttered several locations having been ‘unable to achieve a sustainable operating model amid fierce competition’
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InterviewsXP Factory ‘hopeful we’ll see confidence come back this year’
Chief executive Richard Harpham tells MCA investors remain confident in the experiential leisure group despite it recently revising down profit forecasts
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NewsSocial golf concept Pitch looks to drive expansion through franchising
The competitive socialising brand has partnered with Presman & Colard to accelerate its expansion through franchising following ‘impressive’ year on year growth
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NewsXP Factory revises down profit forecasts and slows new openings
The experiential leisure industry suffered negative LFL sales growth in the calendar year 2025 of around -9%, according to independent data
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InterviewsProfessionals at Play: ‘Pipeline investment has set us up for a great year’
The Foresight Group-backed competitive socialising operator is looking forward to another year of growth, due to the return on investment in new sites last year, and at least five new venues in 2026, managing director Ben Turnock has told MCA.
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NewsThe Social Gaming Group builds on BrewDog partnership with new events-led initiative
The tech-focused competitive socialising company is cementing its partnership with the brewer and bar operator through a programme of social gaming-led experiences
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds-up the latest openings stories, featuring Sandwich Sandwich’s first grab and go site, a new territory for Wingstop, and more…
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NewsIn Pictures: Urban Fun Kingston
The new multi-level entertainment playground opened its doors in Kingston last week, including duck-pin bowling, AR darts, axe throwing, shuffleboard, mini golf, bench football, curling lanes and an arcade packed VR and AR experiences
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NewsFairgame to expand into new markets following acquisition
The fairground-inspired competitive socialising concept, which has been acquired by Tenpin Entertainment, revealed earlier this year that it was looking to secure funding for a move to the US
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InterviewsPoolhouse: ‘Pitching to investors was easy – they could see the potential’
CEO and co-founder Andrew O’Brien talks to MCA about the opportunity to scale Poolhouse – the soon-to-launch concept from Topgolf and Puttshack founders, Steve and Dave Jolliffe, with its imaginative gameplay and premium F&B offering
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NewsPoolhouse lines up debut New York venue
Poolhouse has signed a Letter of Intent for a “stunning unit” on New York’s Broadway, with discussions on further UK and international locations ongoing, co-founder and chief executive Andrew O’Brien tells MCA.
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NewsBig Fang falls into the red as turnover drops
The competitive socialising group reported a 5% drop in turnover, but says it has an ‘exciting pipeline of new sites’ for consideration
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NewsOpenings of the week
MCA rounds up this week’s biggest openings stories, featuring Greggs Outlet, How Matcha!, Pizza Pilgrims, and more
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InterviewsSandbox VR: ‘We want to be within a 45-minute drive of everyone in UK’
From Covent Garden to Dublin, Sandbox VR is building large-scale virtual reality gaming venues with experiences ranging from Squid Game to Stranger Things. CEO Andy Scanlon sets out plans for nationwide growth
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InterviewsAdventure Leisure targets 25+ Mulligans sites by 2030
The group is expanding its mini golf and competitive socialising brand with “cautious ambition” COO Stephen Brown tells MCA
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NewsXP Factory focused on ‘fewer, better, sites’ for Boom
The experiential lesiure operator is to rein in the expansion of its Boom Battle Bar business as the competitive socialising industry contracts, CEO Richard Harpham said on an investor call
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NewsPoolhouse secures further $1.5m
Following its $34m seed round, the competitive socialising concept has secured further funding from EMERGING, the US-based fund behind F1 Arcade, Flight Club, and Batbox
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InterviewsBoxpark CEO: ‘We want to go bigger and be louder than before’
New chief executive Matt Snell speaks to MCA about opportunities for growth in the UK, why he wants to develop an events business, and plans for international expansion
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InterviewsActivate targets 30 sites as We Do Play eyes national expansion
We Do Play co-founder Richard Beese tells MCA the business is pushing for rapid expansion after the “phenomenal” response to its first UK location