Game Changers 2025: What We Learned About the Future of Competitive Socialising

Last week, the Dine & Play team had the pleasure of attending the Game Changers Competitive Socialising Awards and Event—and it truly lived up to its name. Far from your standard industry sit-down, the event used the space in a dynamic and engaging way, mirroring the very essence of what competitive socialising is all about.

From informative panels to interactive moments, it felt more like a celebration of a movement than a typical business conference. A huge credit goes to the organisers for curating an experience that brought this fast-growing sector to life.

Insight: Competitive Socialising Is No Passing Trend

One of the most impactful moments of the day came courtesy of Jo Lynch from KAM Insight, who shared fresh research into the state of the sector. The good news? Competitive socialising isn’t just enjoying a moment—it’s cementing itself as a core part of the hospitality and leisure landscape.

The data shows that Gen Z are driving this demand—they’re socialising differently, drinking less, and actively looking for engaging, memorable experiences. And it’s not just the big names making waves; much of the sector’s recent growth is coming from pubs and bars evolving their offer, adding games and immersive elements alongside food and drink to stand out from the crowd.

One speaker even opened their session by saying:

"It feels like there’s a new competitive socialising venue opening every week."

That comment sparked further discussion around the need for operators to constantly innovate, surprise, and delight guests, especially as some venues still battle with perceptions of being premium-priced or face challenges with accessibility and location.

Our Take: Guests Want Variety – That’s Why We Built Dine & Play

At Dine & Play, we’ve long believed that competitive socialising works best as a discovery-led journey. While people may not visit the same venue every week like they would their local pub, they are exploring multiple experiences across the sector. That’s the insight that led us to develop our app.

Dine & Play is a hub of benefits and rewards for people who love immersive nights out. We help users find new experiences while giving CompSoc brands a way to boost visit frequency and cross-pollinate their audiences through perks, exclusive offers, and special moments.

Out in the Field: Fairgame & Lucky Voice

Of course, we don’t just talk the talk—we play the games too.

Our team recently visited Fairgame in London, diving into their signature mix of nostalgic games, cocktails, and high-energy vibes. Afterwards, we headed over to Lucky Voice for a late-night sing-along, taking full advantage of their late licence and, yes, a few free Dine & Play shots on the house.

We’re now working on bringing Fairgame into the Dine & Play mix—so stay tuned.

Final Thoughts

The Game Changers event confirmed what we already knew but were thrilled to hear echoed throughout the day: Competitive socialising is shaping the future of hospitality. It’s social, shareable, and satisfies the experience-driven appetite of today’s consumers.

We left feeling inspired, energised, and more committed than ever to supporting this brilliant, fast-moving space.

If you're a venue looking to engage experience-hungry audiences—or a fan of all things food, drink, and fun—Dine & Play was made for you.

👉 Want to learn more or get involved? Get in touch with the team.