How Much Can Your Venue Earn With a VR Arena?

How VR arena ROI is calculated

The return on investment of a VR arena is calculated by comparing the revenue it generates against the capital invested. The basic formula is simple: net monthly revenue divided by the upfront investment, until break-even is reached. A Vortex Play arena starts at €36,000 (5×5 m model) and goes up to €69,000 (10×10 m): a larger arena means more simultaneous players and more sessions per hour, but also more space and investment. The calculator above estimates revenue from three variables — venue type, available space, and weeks of operation per year — and cross-references them with real footfall data from active Vortex Play venues.

The factors that drive the return

• Footfall — the number of visitors your venue already generates. A bowling alley or FEC with steady traffic converts a share of customers into VR sessions with no extra acquisition cost.
• Price per session — Vortex Play venues charge between €15 and €25 per person for a 20-30 minute session. Price positioning depends on the city and target audience.
• Hourly capacity — a larger arena hosts more players per slot: a 10×10 m can serve up to 12 people at once, multiplying revenue during peak hours.
• Weeks of operation — seasonality and closing days reduce the number of annual sessions. A venue open year-round reaches break-even sooner.

Average ROI of Vortex Play venues

Vortex Play partners recoup their investment in 4-8 months on average. This is not a theoretical projection: it comes from the network's four direct arenas — Latina, Cuneo, Grosseto, and Taranto — where the VR arena was added to existing entertainment venues. Adding a VR attraction to an active venue has a clear advantage: it taps into an existing customer flow, shortening break-even time compared to a business started from scratch.

After the estimate

The calculator returns an order of magnitude. For a precise quote — with arena configuration, installation costs, and a revenue projection for your specific venue — the Vortex Play team prepares a detailed estimate. To dig deeper, read the guide on how to open a VR room or explore the features of the VR Arena.