ARCADES IN COMMERCIALS

If you’ve noticed more commercials, music videos, and social content set inside arcades lately, you’re not imagining things. From soda ads to sneaker drops, arcades have become a go-to backdrop for brands. Why? Because they’re colorful, nostalgic, social, and fun...everything advertisers want audiences to feel.

But here’s the real opportunity: if arcades are good enough for brands to use in multimillion-dollar campaigns, they’re powerful enough for you to use in your own marketing.

What This Means for Arcades

1. Arcades Are Cultural Icons Again

When global brands pick arcades as their set, they’re telling consumers: “This is cool. This is relevant.” That halo effect benefits every operator, whether you’re running a classic game room or a modern FEC.

2. Nostalgia Is Driving Engagement

Commercials are leaning into the retro vibe because it connects emotionally across generations. Arcades can double down on this by highlighting classic titles, retro nights, or throwback events.

3. Visuals Sell Experiences

The neon glow, the flashing screens, the energy of a game floor, these visuals are marketing gold. If advertisers are using them, you should too in your photos, videos, and social feeds.

How Operators Can Leverage This Trend

Create Your Own Content-Use your arcade as the backdrop for your own ads and social reels. The environment is already cinematic. Show off the lights, the games, and the excitement.

Partner With Local Brands-If big brands are renting arcades for shoots, why not local ones? Offer your space as a location for photo/video shoots. It’s extra revenue and free exposure when those brands tag your venue.

Run “As Seen on TV” Nights-Feature the games that appear most in commercials (claws, basketball, driving games) and market them as pop-culture favorites.

Capitalize on Social Media-Encourage guests to take selfies and TikToks in your arcade. Position your space as the local spot for fun, shareable content.

Bottom line: The advertising world has rediscovered arcades as a cultural touchstone. Now it’s up to operators to take that momentum and turn it into more visits, more revenue, and more buzz.