Monopoly chooses Fort Lauderdale for new city edition of board game, with more cities on the way

If you are looking for the top US cities for a staycation this summer, then Fort Lauderdale, Florida, should definitely be on your radar. This popular city is the latest to receive its own special edition of the classic board game Monopoly, thanks to Rhode Island-based Top Trumps USA. The company has been creating city editions of Monopoly for cities throughout the U.S., with Fort Lauderdale being the latest conquest. In early 2025, the Fort Lauderdale edition of Monopoly will be released.

Fort Lauderdale is not the only city to receive this special treatment, as cities like Tampa, Cleveland, Kansas City, Nashville, Pittsburgh, and Sacramento have also had their own versions of Monopoly released. Looking ahead, an Omaha, Nebraska edition is set to be released in time for Thanksgiving. The selection of cities is based on criteria such as community pride, flair, personality, and family-friendliness. Winning Moves, the U.S. arm of London-based game company Winning Moves International, has released 34 city editions to date.

The history of Monopoly dates back to the early 1900s when anti-monopolist Lizzie Magie created The Landlord’s Game. Over the years, variations of the game were developed, leading to the creation of Monopoly as we know it today when Parker Brothers marketed the game in 1935. The character of Milburn Pennybags, also known as “Rich Uncle” Pennybags or “Mr. Monopoly,” first appeared in the game in 1936. Despite many revisions over the years, the game has remained popular and enduring.

While there are official licensed versions of Monopoly, there are also numerous imitation games available, with various themes from college campuses to rock bands, movies, TV shows, and more. These imitation versions often have substitutes for classic Monopoly components like “Community Chest” and “Chance” cards. These imitation games are not licensed by Hasbro, the original creator of Monopoly, and may differ in quality from official licensed editions.

The release of city editions of Monopoly serves as a way to promote community pride and celebrate the unique characteristics of each city. For cities like Fort Lauderdale, having their own special edition of the game is a way to showcase what makes the city special and promote it to a wider audience. Community input is often sought during the design process to ensure that the game reflects the essence of the city. As more cities receive their own special editions of Monopoly, it is clear that this classic board game continues to capture the imagination and pride of communities across the country.