The VR franchise cost with Metaforce VR Arena is a flat subscription (taxes included): $4,990 for 6 months, $7,990 for 12 months or $14,990 for 24 months, paid upfront; after the term, another fixed term or $799 per month. There is no franchise fee, no royalty and no marketing fee. On top of the subscription, the partner pays separately for the venue, renovation and equipment; in Russia, owners typically invest from RUB 2.5 million in total and reach payback from about one year.
What does the Metaforce subscription cost?
The subscription is the only money you pay to Metaforce. It gives you access to all released games, venue-specific maps, launch support, staff training and updates every 6 months.
| Term | Price (taxes included, paid upfront) | Average per month during the term | After the term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months | $4,990 | about $832 | Another term or $799/month |
| 12 months (most popular) | $7,990 | about $666 | Another term or $799/month |
| 24 months | $14,990 | about $625 | Another term or $799/month |
The chosen term is paid upfront. When it ends, you can buy another fixed term of 6, 12 or 24 months or continue month to month at $799. There are no penalties. If the subscription ends, access to the games, the Metaforce brand, the website and the CRM stops; your equipment stays yours, and you can renew the subscription later.
What the VR arena franchise cost does not include from our side:
- Franchise fee: none.
- Royalty or revenue share: none.
- Marketing fee or advertising fund: none.
- Paid updates: none; new maps and games every 6 months are included.
If you want to understand why we chose this model and how it compares with a percentage of revenue, read Franchise without royalty: how the subscription model works.
What else do you pay for when opening a VR arena?
A subscription only covers the content and the know-how. Opening a free-roam arena also needs a physical venue and hardware, and those costs stay with the partner. This is the honest answer to "how much does it cost to open a VR arcade": the total depends far more on your city, rent and equipment choices than on the franchise itself.
| Cost item | What it covers | Who pays | What drives the amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Games, maps adapted to your layout, launch support, training, updates, knowledge base; with the franchise package also a website, the network CRM and a marketing kit | Partner to Metaforce | Chosen term: 6, 12 or 24 months |
| Venue | Rent, deposit, utilities | Partner | City, location, size (100–700 m² total) |
| Renovation | Level floor, zoning, reception and lounge, electrical work for 10–15 kW | Partner | Condition of the premises |
| Equipment | VR headsets, computers, tracking system | Partner, from any supplier | Number of players you want in a round |
| Launch and working capital | Local advertising, staff wages and running costs until the arena pays for itself | Partner | Local market and opening plan |
You are free to buy equipment from any supplier, which lets you compare offers and match the kit to your play area. Our knowledge base covers equipment setup and headset care. For a detailed hardware checklist, see VR arena equipment.
How much space do you need, and why does it affect cost?
Venue size is the biggest lever on your VR arcade setup cost. A larger play area lets more people play at once, but it also raises rent, renovation and the amount of equipment.
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Play area | 50–300 m² |
| Total venue | 100–700 m² |
| Optimal format | 150–250 m² total with a 100–150 m² play area |
| Power | 10–15 kW |
| Floor | Level |
| Ceiling height | From 2.5 m |
Each game supports 4 to 20 players. On one arena 8 to 12 or more people play at the same time, depending on the size of the venue, while others in the same group wait in the lounge. Planning tips are in our VR arena design guide.
What investment, revenue and payback can an owner expect?
We only publish figures from arenas in Russia, where most of the network operates and where we have reliable data. Your numbers will depend on your market.
| Metric (arenas in Russia) | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total investment to open | From RUB 2.5 million |
| Monthly revenue | RUB 500,000–1,500,000, depending on city, venue and occupancy |
| Payback | From about one year |
These are figures for Russia, quoted in roubles. Rent, wages, equipment prices and consumer prices differ from country to country, so treat them as a reference point for the model, not a forecast for your city. Our manager can walk you through the assumptions for your location.
Where does an arena's revenue come from?
A free-roam VR arena earns from groups, not single visitors. Typical formats in the Metaforce network:
- Hourly play for friends, families and teenagers.
- Whole-arena rental for private groups.
- Birthday party packages for kids and teenagers.
- Corporate events and team building.
- Gift certificates, valid for 12 months and sold online (with the franchise package).
As an illustration, in our Russian arenas one hour of play per player costs from about RUB 800 to RUB 2,300, and renting the whole arena costs about RUB 5,500–19,900 per hour. Prices in your market will be set by you. More about the business side in the VR arcade business guide.
How does a subscription change the VR arcade cost over time?
With a royalty model, your payment to the franchisor grows as your revenue grows. With a subscription, it stays flat: the term is paid upfront, and after it you buy another fixed term or pay $799 per month whether the arena has a slow month or a record one. That makes your fixed costs predictable and means every extra booking stays with you.
The trade-off is that the fee doesn't shrink in a quiet month, and the first term is paid before the arena earns, so plan the launch budget and working capital for the first months after opening.
FAQ
What is the total VR franchise cost with Metaforce?
The payment to Metaforce is the subscription only: $4,990 (6 months), $7,990 (12 months) or $14,990 (24 months), paid upfront; after the term, another fixed term or $799 per month. Venue, renovation and equipment are paid separately by the partner.
How much does it cost to open a VR arcade in total?
It depends on the city, rent, venue size and equipment. For Metaforce arenas in Russia, total investment starts from RUB 2.5 million.
Is there a franchise fee or royalty?
No. There is no franchise fee, no royalty, no revenue share and no marketing fee.
Do I have to buy equipment from Metaforce?
No. You can buy headsets, computers and tracking from any supplier.
How long does it take from contract to opening?
From a week to several months, depending mainly on the venue and renovation.
How fast does a VR arena pay back?
For arenas in Russia, payback starts from about one year, depending on the city, the venue and occupancy.
What happens if I stop the subscription?
Access to the games, the Metaforce brand, the website and the CRM stops, and nothing from Metaforce stays with you. Your equipment remains yours. There are no penalties, and you can renew the subscription later. Instead of stopping, you can also buy another fixed term or continue at $799 per month.
Apply now and our manager will help you estimate the budget for your venue.