Arcade Game Room: Square Footage Requirements

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How many arcade machines should you plan for, and what types work best for your space?

A moderate arcade game room of 1,500 to 2,000 square feet typically accommodates 20 to 30 machines.

This machine count allows for proper spacing, circulation, and customer comfort without overcrowding. The exact number depends on your specific mix of machine types, as each category has different footprint requirements and space demands.

For an arcade game room of this size, you should plan for a balanced mix: 8-12 upright video cabinets (classic fighters, shooters, platformers), 3-5 sit-down racing or deluxe shooter games, 4-6 pinball machines, 5-8 redemption or ticket games, 2-3 VR attractions, and 3-5 specialty games like air hockey, basketball, or dance machines. This distribution creates variety while managing space efficiently.

Upright cabinets take the least floor space and can be arranged in rows or clusters. Sit-down and VR games need significantly more room due to player movement and equipment size. Redemption games often attract families and generate revenue through ticket dispensing, so placing them near the prize counter makes strategic sense.

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What is the actual footprint of each arcade machine type, including player space?

How much clearance space do you need between arcade machines?

You need a minimum of 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) between standard arcade machines.

This spacing allows players to comfortably approach machines, play without feeling cramped, and enables other customers to walk past without disrupting gameplay. Inadequate clearance creates bottlenecks, increases collision risks, and makes your arcade feel overcrowded even when it's not at capacity.

For larger machines like sit-down racing games or multiplayer units, increase clearance to 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters). VR attractions require even more space—6 feet minimum—because players move unpredictably and need protection from bumping into adjacent equipment or other customers.

Between rows of upright cabinets, maintain at least 4 feet to create secondary circulation paths. This spacing also helps with maintenance access, as technicians need room to open cabinet doors and service components. If your arcade includes wheelchair accessibility (required by ADA), you must provide at least 36 inches of clear width in circulation routes, though 48 inches is better for two-way traffic.

What extra space do you need for queuing at popular machines?

Allocate an additional 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) in front of high-traffic arcade machines for queuing.

Popular games like new racing simulators, competitive fighting games, or VR experiences often attract lines during peak hours. Without designated queuing space, waiting customers block walkways, create congestion, and frustrate other patrons trying to navigate your arcade game room.

For tournament-featured games or marquee attractions, consider creating a deeper queuing zone of up to 8 feet (2.5 meters). This space can accommodate 3-4 people waiting comfortably without encroaching on main circulation paths. You can mark these areas with floor decals or rope barriers to organize the flow.

Redemption games with ticket dispensing also benefit from queuing space, as families often wait together and children count tickets immediately after playing. Position these machines where queues won't interfere with access to other games or emergency exits.

How much room should walkways and circulation paths take in your arcade?

Main walkways in your arcade game room should be 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) wide.

This width meets fire code requirements for emergency egress and accommodates wheelchair users as mandated by ADA accessibility standards. Primary circulation paths typically form a loop or grid pattern through your arcade, connecting the entrance to all major game zones and the exit routes.

Secondary paths between machine rows can be narrower—3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters)—but should never drop below 36 inches to maintain accessibility. These paths allow customers to browse games and reach less-trafficked machines without using main walkways for every movement.

When planning your arcade layout, circulation paths should consume approximately 30-40% of your total floor space. For a 1,500 square foot arcade, this means 450-600 square feet dedicated to walkways. This may seem excessive, but proper circulation prevents crowding, improves safety, and actually increases revenue by making all machines easily accessible.

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What size should your reception area and ticket counter be?

A basic reception area with a ticket counter requires 100 to 150 square feet (9 to 14 square meters).

This space accommodates a service counter, point-of-sale system, card dispensing equipment, and one or two staff members during operation. The counter should be 6-8 feet long with 3-4 feet of depth to hold necessary equipment while providing working space for employees.

If you plan to include retail elements (merchandise, snacks, beverages), a photo opportunity wall, or a larger welcome area, expand this space to 200-250 square feet (18-23 square meters). Many successful arcade game rooms position the reception area near the entrance with clear sightlines to the entire facility for security and customer service.

The counter height should be 36-42 inches for standing transactions, with a lowered section at 28-34 inches for wheelchair accessibility. Behind the counter, allocate 4-5 feet of depth for staff movement, storage of game cards, cash handling, and computer equipment. Include electrical outlets for multiple devices and network connections for your management system.

How much space do you need for seating, lounges, and food areas?

A small lounge area with tables and seating for 6-8 people requires 100 to 150 square feet (9 to 14 square meters).

This space typically includes 2-3 small tables with chairs where customers can rest between games, parents can supervise children, or groups can gather. Allow approximately 15-20 square feet per seated person to ensure comfortable spacing and movement around tables.

If your arcade game room will serve food and beverages beyond vending machines, allocate 200+ square feet (18+ square meters) per dedicated dining zone. This larger area should include counter-height tables, proper lighting, and proximity to restrooms. Some successful arcades dedicate 10-15% of total floor space to seating and hospitality areas.

Consider creating multiple smaller lounge zones (50-75 square feet each) distributed throughout the arcade rather than one large central area. This approach provides resting spots near different game types while maintaining sight lines for supervision and security.

What storage, maintenance, and staff areas do you need?

Storage and equipment areas require 100 to 200 square feet (9 to 18 square meters), depending on your arcade's inventory turnover and machine count.

This space stores spare parts, cleaning supplies, tools, promotional materials, prize inventory (if applicable), and backup machines or components. You need sufficient room to organize items on shelving units while maintaining access aisles. Climate control is important for electronic components and certain prize items.

Maintenance and staff work areas need an additional 50 to 100 square feet (5 to 9 square meters) per room. A small office or break room (50-75 square feet) provides space for staff to complete administrative tasks, take breaks, and store personal belongings. A separate maintenance workshop (75-100 square feet) with a workbench allows for machine repairs without disrupting customer areas.

These back-of-house spaces should be located away from high-traffic customer areas but with easy access to the game floor. Many arcade operators position storage near the rear entrance for convenient delivery reception. Adequate back-of-house space prevents clutter on the game floor and enables efficient operations.

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How much space do restrooms need, and what are the accessibility requirements?

For a 1,500 to 2,000 square foot arcade game room, plan for 200 to 400 square feet (18 to 37 square meters) of total restroom space.

This typically means 1-2 multi-stall restrooms, with at least one accessible stall in each that meets ADA requirements. The exact size depends on your local building codes, expected occupancy load, and whether you provide single-occupancy or multi-stall facilities.

ADA-compliant accessible stalls require a minimum of 60 inches in width and 59 inches in depth for wall-hung toilets (56 inches for floor-mounted). The entire restroom must have a clear turning space of 60 inches in diameter for wheelchair maneuverability. Doorways must be at least 32 inches wide when open at 90 degrees, and doors should swing outward or be sliding to maximize interior space.

Sinks must be mounted at 34 inches maximum height with knee clearance underneath, and accessible fixtures include grab bars, toilet paper dispensers positioned 7-9 inches in front of the toilet, and lever-style faucet handles. Installing family restrooms (single-occupancy, all-gender facilities) of 50-60 square feet each addresses both accessibility and family needs efficiently.

Local health codes determine minimum fixture counts based on occupancy. For example, many jurisdictions require one toilet per 50 occupants for places of assembly. Calculate your maximum occupancy first, then design restroom capacity accordingly.

What space should you allocate for prize redemption counters?

Prize redemption counters with inventory display require 80 to 200 square feet (7 to 18 square meters).

This area includes the counter itself (typically 8-12 feet long), display shelving or cases for prizes, and space behind the counter for staff to retrieve items and complete transactions. The redemption counter should be visible from the entrance and positioned to create natural traffic flow from ticket-earning games.

The counter needs to be secure since prizes represent inventory value. Glass display cases, lockable storage below the counter, and positioning that allows staff to monitor the area prevent theft. Many arcades place the redemption counter adjacent to or integrated with the main reception area to share staffing efficiently.

Behind-counter workspace should include 4-5 feet of depth for staff movement, a computer terminal for tracking ticket balances, and organized storage for prizes ranging from small items (candy, toys) to large rewards (electronics, stuffed animals). Ceiling height above displays should be at least 8 feet, with good lighting to showcase prizes attractively.

What ceiling height and overhead clearance do arcade machines need?

What are the emergency exit, fire safety, and occupancy requirements?

All primary and secondary emergency exit doors must have clear, unobstructed pathways at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) wide, as required by fire codes.

Exit routes must remain completely free of machines, furniture, or any obstacles that could impede evacuation. The distance from any point in the arcade to the nearest exit cannot exceed the maximum travel distance specified by local fire codes—typically 150-200 feet for most assembly occupancies with sprinkler systems.

Your arcade must have at least two separate exits, and in larger facilities exceeding certain square footage thresholds, three or more exits may be required. Exit doors must swing in the direction of egress (outward), be equipped with panic hardware, and be clearly marked with illuminated exit signs. Emergency lighting must activate automatically during power failures.

Occupancy calculations typically allow 15 to 20 square feet (1.4 to 1.9 square meters) per patron in standing assembly areas. For a 1,500 square foot arcade, this means a maximum occupancy of approximately 75-100 people. This calculation determines your required exit capacity (number and width of doors), restroom fixtures, and emergency planning.

Fire safety requirements include functioning smoke detectors, fire extinguishers positioned according to code (typically one per 75 feet of travel distance), and possibly a sprinkler system depending on building size and local regulations. Your arcade machines must not block access to fire extinguishers, alarm pull stations, or electrical panels.

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Conclusion

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We accept no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.

Sources

1. Betson - Arcade Game Room Design Basics
2. Game and Entertain - Arcade Machine Cost, Size and Weight Info
3. Video Amusement - Top 10 FEC Arcade Game Room Layout Tips
4. Coohom - Arcade Cabinet Width
5. The Men's Cave - Retro Arcade Machine Space Guide
6. Dimensions.com - Pinball Machines
7. Soundproof Cow - How to Design the Perfect Game Room
8. Game and Entertain - The 11 Types of Arcade Game Machines and Cabinets