China's internet cafés climbed to 122,600 outlets in 2025, up 12.7% from a year earlier, as revenue for the sector topped 101.7 billion yuan ($14.8 billion) and employment rose by more than 100,000, according to industry data. [1]
The rebound has been driven in part by demand for cheaper entertainment at a time of tighter household spending, with one owner saying people are cutting back on high-end consumption and that internet cafés are "arguably the most affordable form of entertainment" that can ride out economic cycles. [1]
Since 2023, at least 25,000 new outlets have opened across China, and operators have increasingly added luxury touches such as buffets, hot springs and hotel-style services as they try to attract customers. [1]
The customer base has also widened. The share of users aged 30 and above rose from 10.4% in 2012 to more than 22.6% in 2025, suggesting the business is drawing in older players as well as younger gamers. [1]
A regular customer, Xu Ming, said buying a personal computer now costs 8,000 or 9,000 yuan and loses value quickly, while internet cafés offer the same specs at lower cost. "It's excellent value for money," Xu said. [1]
Bai, who has run internet cafés for 10 years, said the habit of visiting them began with the post-80s generation and will persist as customers age. He said younger players are also likely to keep coming when they grow older, pointing to further expansion in the user base. [1]
The next test for operators is whether the sector can keep pace with demand as new cafés open and existing venues add more services to compete for customers. [1]