London becomes the third-largest global hub for gaming professionals

London has officially risen to become the world’s third-largest hub for gaming professionals, overtaking key cities in North America and Europe. According to new industry research conducted by Unscrambled and BOP for Games London, the UK capital now boasts over 13,700 gaming professionals, ranking just behind Los Angeles (22,600) and San Francisco (14,100). This milestone reflects London’s increasing dominance in mobile, PC, console, immersive entertainment, and AI-driven gaming, making it the undisputed leader in Europe’s gaming industry.

The research underscores London’s impressive trajectory, with nearly half of the UK’s gaming research and development roles concentrated within the city. Beyond core game development, around 9,000 professionals from adjacent industries—such as animation, film, and technology—now contribute gaming-related services, reinforcing the capital’s position as a multifaceted gaming hub.

London’s gaming boom has brought significant economic benefits, reinforcing its importance to the UK’s creative economy. The findings, released ahead of the 10th annual London Games Festival, coincide with an announcement from Mayor Sadiq Khan extending funding for Games London. This forms part of a broader £10 million investment aimed at fostering growth in the city’s creative sectors, with the gaming industry expected to contribute £2.5 billion to London’s economy.

Since its launch in 2015, Games London has been instrumental in fueling the city’s gaming expansion, facilitating £110 million worth of completed business deals. The initiative has generated an estimated £37 return for every £1 invested by the city, highlighting the strength of London’s gaming sector. With additional revenues of £141 million recorded across direct and indirect economic activity, the industry has also created over 900 jobs, further cementing London’s reputation as a global gaming capital.

The latest research arrives as London prepares to host the 10th edition of the London Games Festival, running from April 2 to April 14. The festival is set to feature over 30 events, including industry panels, exhibitions, and the highly anticipated BAFTA Games Awards. One of the festival’s focal points is the Games Finance Market, where developers pitch to investors, fostering opportunities for emerging talent and innovation.

A major highlight of this year’s festival will be the free public gaming showcase at Trafalgar Square, offering hands-on experiences with some of the latest game titles. With support from partners such as BAFTA, the Department for Business & Trade, and major industry stakeholders, the event aims to celebrate London’s growing influence in global gaming and spotlight upcoming trends in the industry.