Brandwave

Bowlero vs Main Event:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Bowlero had more branded searches than Main Event among family entertainment centers in the United States. Bowlero had about 135,000 branded searches, while Main Event had 12,500. Bowlero made up 4.4% of all family entertainment center searches we track, and Main Event accounted for 0.41%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about family entertainment centers, Main Event appeared in all three answers and Bowlero in one. Main Event was mentioned before Bowlero in every answer.

Among family entertainment centers in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Bowlero, about 11 searches for every 1 for Main Event

Bowlero 135K searchesMain Event 12.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Main Event, mentioned in every answer we collected

Main Event in 3 of 3Bowlero in 1 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Main Event, named ahead of Bowlero in every answer

Main Event first in 3Bowlero never first

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Top family entertainment centers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Main Event appeared in all three answers. Bowlero was mentioned in one out of three: in one of the three ChatGPT answers. Main Event was listed before Bowlero in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Main Event1st
  2. Round12nd
  3. Dave & Buster's3rd
  4. Topgolf4th
  5. Bowlero5th
  6. Puttshack–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Dave & Buster's3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Round13 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Main Event3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Topgolf1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Bowlero1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Puttshack0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers

See every answer about family entertainment centers

3 answers
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best family entertainment center chain in the US?”

    1. 1Main Event
    2. 2Round1
    3. 3Dave & Buster's
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which chain in the US is best for bowling and arcade games?”

    1. 1Round1
    2. 2Main Event
    3. 3Dave & Buster's
    4. 4Bowlero
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Where should I go for a fun night out with games and food in the US?”

    1. 1Dave & Buster's
    2. 2Main Event
    3. 3Topgolf
    4. 4Round1
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “family entertainment center”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “arcade near me”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 23, 2026.

Is Bowlero or Main Event more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Bowlero and Main Event by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six family entertainment centers we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

Bowlero and Main Event among family entertainment centers in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Bowlero, Main Event. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthDave & Buster'sTopgolfRound1PuttshackBowleroMain Event
Oct 202536.5%44.6%7.6%4.9%6%0.4%
Nov 202540.1%40.1%8.4%4.4%6.6%0.44%
Dec 202536.2%44.3%7.6%4%7.3%0.52%
Jan 202638.7%38.7%10%4.3%7.8%0.55%
Feb 202640.1%40.1%8.5%4.4%6.6%0.41%
Mar 202636.7%45%7.8%4%6%0.46%
Apr 202637.2%45.4%7.8%4.1%5%0.46%
May 202637.2%45.4%7.8%4.1%5%0.46%
Jun 202632.6%48.8%8.4%4.4%5.4%0.47%
Jul 202636.6%44.7%9.3%4.9%4%0.46%
Aug 202632.9%49.3%8.5%4.4%4.4%0.41%
Sep 202639.8%39.8%10.2%5.4%4.4%0.41%

How has the Bowlero and Main Event comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for United States family entertainment centers in September 2026?

3 changes
  1. In September 2026, Puttshack overtook Bowlero to rank 4th among family entertainment centers in the United States, with 5.4% of the searches.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Bowlero in the United States fell 45.1% over 12 measured months, from 246K to 135K in September 2026.

  3. Estimated monthly branded searches for Main Event in the United States fell 24.2% over 12 measured months, from 16.5K to 12.5K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bowlero’s and Main Event’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Bowlero

1 branded search term

  • bowlero

Main Event

2 branded search terms

  • main event bowling
  • main event entertainment

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among family entertainment centers

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