Valo Motion, a pioneer in combining interactive technology with physical activities, has released a comprehensive analysis of the seven key trends that FEC and LBE operators should focus on in 2026, based on insights from IAAPA Expo 2025, which attracted more than 38,000 attractions industry professionals.
As operators finish their end-of-holiday reviews and begin annual purchasing and planning for the coming year, the company has shared actionable steps to help them grow revenue, streamline operations, and enhance guest loyalty.
The seven key trends discussed include: the emergence of low-maintenance attractions in hybrid FECs; accessible AI and automation tools for efficiency; dynamic pricing models; engaging social experiences; targeted upgrades with inclusive design; mobile-first, contactless booking; and leveraging sustainability as a competitive edge.
The trends
The active indoor entertainment sector is shifting towards smarter, more efficient, and socially engaging venue models. A key trend is the rise of hybrid FECs that combine multiple attractions to appeal to all ages. While this diverse mix increases dwell time and revenue potential, it also introduces operational complexity.
As a result, operators increasingly prefer low-maintenance, unattended attractions that provide reliable performance and high throughput without adding extra staffing burdens. Combining labour-intensive experiences (such as parties or bowling) with self-operating attractions helps stabilise operations and enhances lifecycle ROI.
AI and automation are also transforming venue management. Operators now rely on data dashboards to optimise staffing, forecast demand, and track attraction performance in real time. This enables more precise scheduling, smoother group reservations, and better preparation for peak times.
AI-driven dynamic pricing further boosts profitability by adjusting prices to match demand, encouraging off-peak visits, and increasing per-guest expenditure through bundles and memberships.
On the guest side, demand is shifting towards competitive, social experiences. Gen Z and Millennials favour immersive, shared activities that combine physical play with digital feedback, fostering collaboration, repeat visits, and social media engagement.
Venues can capitalise by adding leaderboards, team formats, and regular events while designing spaces that promote group interaction and longer stays.
Finally, targeted upgrades and inclusive design provide high-return growth without significant capital investment. Enhancements such as sensory-friendly areas, refreshed party spaces, inclusive food choices, and modern branding expand audience reach and encourage repeat visits.
Accessibility and inclusion not only meet societal expectations but also deliver tangible business benefits through greater appeal and increased customer loyalty.
Backed by research and experience
These trends are backed by external industry data.
McKinsey’s analysis of location-based entertainment highlights how IP-driven physical experiences are becoming a key growth driver for LBE operators, while Eventbrite’s 2026 Social Study found that 79% of 18-to-35-year-olds intend to attend more live events in 2026, with consumers actively swapping passive attendance for physical participation.
Propel’s Experiential Leisure Sector Report 2025 recorded a 455% rise in multi-activity ‘combo’ venues over five years, with 30% of UK adults having visited a competitive socialising venue.
Valo Motion monitors activity on venue floors daily across 1,000+ locations in 80 countries and has been serving the LBE industry for nearly 10 years.
These seven trends are practical, operator-focused, and based on real data from the industry’s biggest annual event, where Valo Motion showcased innovations, including the new ValoArena 4-player.
The key message for operators: venues that succeed in 2026 will be those that offer excellent guest experiences while maintaining smarter, more cost-effective operations.
Last month, Valo Motion released an update to its Operations Hub, a centralised operations and insights platform designed to help FECs and active indoor entertainment operators run more predictably, efficiently, and profitably.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source blooloop.com ’
