Games Workshop in brief
- Rank: #52 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #5 of 9 in Media & Entertainment.
- WCRC Power Score: 65.12 out of 100.
- Founded: 1975, by Ian Livingstone, Steve Jackson and John Peake.
- Owner: Games Workshop Group PLC, Nottingham, England.
- Leadership: Kevin Rountree, Chief Executive Officer.
- Latest revenue: £660m revenue (FY2026, 52 weeks to 31 May 2026, +6.8%), group revenue of Games Workshop Group PLC, as per company filings.
What makes Games Workshop powerful
Games Workshop has turned a niche hobby into one of the UK's most profitable consumer businesses. Founded in 1975, it owns Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000, fantasy and science fiction worlds that fans collect, build, paint and play with as plastic miniatures made at its Nottingham factory. In the year to May 2026 revenue rose to a record 659.7 million pounds and pre-tax profit reached 275.7 million pounds.
Its strength is control. It owns its intellectual property, designs and manufactures its own products, and sells through its own stores and website as well as independent shops, so it captures most of the value. Core revenue grew from 565.0 million to 626.8 million pounds, and video games and screen licences extend the brand to new audiences. Chief executive Kevin Rountree says the business is in great shape.
Games Workshop made 275.7 million pounds of pre-tax profit on 659.7 million pounds of revenue in its year to May 2026, a margin above 40%.
Why Games Workshop ranks #52
Games Workshop ranks 52nd with a WCRC Power Score of 65.12, between Barbour above and IHG below. Digital and financial strength (72) is its best pillar, reflecting pre-tax profit of £275.7 million on £659.7 million of revenue. Trust (68) and product and innovation (68) are strong thanks to a loyal hobby community, while positioning and recall (62) and sustainability and governance (58) hold it back outside its core fan base.
The Achilles' heel
Licensing is the unpredictable part of the story. Licensing revenue fell from 52.5 million to 32.9 million pounds in the latest year as video game royalties dipped, and the hoped-for Warhammer screen adaptation depends on a partner. The core business relies on a dedicated hobby community, and price rises or any perception of over-commercialisation could test fans' loyalty.
The 2026 story
Games Workshop's results for the year to 31 May 2026, published in July, showed record revenue of 659.7 million pounds, up from 617.5 million, with core revenue up 11% to 626.8 million pounds. Pre-tax profit rose to 275.7 million pounds despite licensing revenue falling to 32.9 million pounds. Kevin Rountree said Games Workshop and the Warhammer hobby are in great shape, and the company paid 485p a share in dividends during the year.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is Games Workshop in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
Games Workshop ranks #52 of 100 in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 65.12 out of 100.
What makes Games Workshop powerful?
Games Workshop owns the Warhammer universe outright, designs and makes its miniatures in Nottingham, and earns unusually high margins, with profit before tax of 275.7 million pounds on 659.7 million pounds of revenue.
What is Games Workshop's revenue?
£660m revenue (FY2026, 52 weeks to 31 May 2026, +6.8%), group revenue of Games Workshop Group PLC, as per company filings.
Who founded and owns Games Workshop?
Games Workshop was founded in 1975 by Ian Livingstone, Steve Jackson and John Peake. It is owned by Games Workshop Group PLC and based in Nottingham, England.
Who leads Games Workshop?
Kevin Rountree, Chief Executive Officer.
What is Games Workshop's biggest challenge?
Licensing income is volatile, falling from 52.5 million to 32.9 million pounds in its latest year, and much of its future upside rides on screen adaptations it does not control.
Also featured in
- Most powerful Media & Entertainment brands
- Most Innovative British Brands
- Most powerful brands in England
Key facts
| Brand | Games Workshop |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Games Workshop Group PLC |
| Headquarters | Nottingham, England, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder(s) | Ian Livingstone, Steve Jackson and John Peake |
| Leadership | Kevin Rountree, Chief Executive Officer |
| Latest revenue | £660m revenue (FY2026, 52 weeks to 31 May 2026, +6.8%), group revenue of Games Workshop Group PLC, as per company filings |
| Sector | Media & Entertainment |
| Website | games-workshop.com |
| Home country | United Kingdom |
Sources
- Revenue figure published by Games Workshop Group PLC
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
