Portsmouth ranks among the UK’s top gaming locations

Gaming is usually thought of as something that happens online, but where you live can make a big difference to your experience. Things like fast broadband, reliable 5G, local gaming studios, and an active community of players all affect how easy it is to play, compete, and even work in the games industry. Simply put, your city can shape everything from smooth online matches to opportunities to turn gaming into a career.

To see which UK cities give gamers the best experience, researchers at Streamproject DE looked at five key factors: median broadband speed, 5G coverage, online search interest for gaming cheats and tips, the number of gaming jobs per 10,000 residents, and the number of gaming company headquarters per 10,000 residents.

Portsmouth ranks 16th in the UK for gamers according to the study. While the city might be best known for its maritime history, it is also emerging as a solid location for gamers thanks to strong connectivity and local engagement. Broadband averages 215.08 MB/s, and 5G coverage reaches 100 percent, giving players smooth online gameplay, fast downloads, and reliable streaming.

Gaming-related searches are 681 per 10,000 residents, showing that the local community is actively engaged with games, cheats, and tips. Portsmouth has 0.5 gaming jobs per 10,000 residents and 0.1 gaming company headquarters per 10,000, providing a small but meaningful connection to the gaming industry. This makes the city a great place for gamers who want a supportive local environment alongside the perks of living in a vibrant coastal location.

The top ten cities for gamers includes Worcester, Salford, Chichester, Lichfield, Lisburn, Newry, Wakefield, St Albans, Hereford, and Lincoln. These cities demonstrate that being gamer-friendly is not about population size but a combination of broadband, 5G, local interest, and access to industry opportunities. Portsmouth’s high-speed connectivity and engaged community make it a strong contender among the UK’s gaming hotspots.

The study also shows that larger cities do not always rank highest when results are measured per resident. London ranks 47th and Manchester ranks 59th, showing that smaller cities and towns can offer faster connectivity, higher local engagement, and more noticeable gaming communities. Overall, the findings show that gaming in the UK is no longer concentrated in the largest urban centres.

Orwin Schulte, expert at Streamproject DE commented on the findings: . “Players are no longer just gaming alone at home. They are sharing tips online, joining multiplayer communities, streaming content, and talking about games with friends. When there is strong local interest in gaming, it becomes easier to connect with others who share the same hobby. That sense of community can make gaming feel more accessible and more rewarding.”

Schulte adds that the presence of gaming jobs and studios can shape how gaming fits into everyday life. “For some people, gaming is more than entertainment. It can become a career path in design, development, marketing, or esports. Cities with local studios or industry opportunities help make those paths feel more realistic. When infrastructure, community interest, and industry opportunities come together, gaming becomes not just something people do in their free time, but something that feels connected to the place they live.”

List of the top UK cities for gamers: