Axe throwing has grown from a novelty bar game into a standalone entertainment category, with more than 500 dedicated venues now operating across all 50 states. Whether you are opening a new lanes-and-targets facility or replacing worn-out boards at an existing location, axe throwing equipment financing gives you a way to fund targets, lane systems, safety barriers, and scoring technology without draining your cash reserves. This guide breaks down exactly how commercial ax throwing target financing works, what it costs, and how to choose the right funding path for your venue.
In This Article
Axe throwing equipment financing is a type of commercial equipment loan or lease specifically structured to help venue owners purchase or upgrade the physical infrastructure of an axe throwing business. Unlike a general working capital loan, this financing is tied directly to tangible, revenue-generating assets: throwing lanes, target boards, protective cage systems, and the axes themselves.
Because the equipment serves as collateral, lenders are often willing to approve axe throwing equipment financing with less emphasis on time in business or a large real estate down payment than a traditional bank loan would require. This makes it one of the more accessible funding paths for a niche entertainment concept that many conventional lenders don't fully understand.
The category typically covers everything from a single replacement target board to a full 12-lane buildout, and can be structured as either an equipment loan (you own the assets, they are collateral) or an equipment lease (you make payments for use, with an option to buy at the end of term).
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Apply Now →The process for financing axe throwing lanes, targets, and related equipment follows a similar structure to other commercial equipment financing, with a few industry-specific wrinkles worth understanding before you apply.
Axe throwing equipment financing isn't limited to just the wooden target boards. Lenders who understand the entertainment and recreation space will typically extend financing to cover the full scope of a venue build-out or upgrade:
Most lenders will finance new and used equipment alike, though used equipment may require a shorter term or an appraisal to confirm remaining useful life.
By the Numbers
Axe Throwing Industry & Equipment Financing Snapshot
500+
Dedicated axe throwing venues operating across the U.S.
$7,500
Approx. build-out cost per lane, including targets and safety gear
$1.2T
Projected global value of live/immersive entertainment by 2030
10 yrs
Maximum repayment term available through SBA 7(a) equipment financing
Key Stat: According to the Forbes coverage of the experience economy, consumers are increasingly prioritizing participatory, shared experiences over material purchases, a shift that has fueled steady demand for venues like axe throwing lanes even as broader retail spending has softened.
This type of financing makes the most sense for a specific set of business situations. Consider it strongly if you fall into one of these categories:
It's generally not the right fit if you're looking to fund non-equipment costs like lease buildout permits, signage, or marketing campaigns in isolation; for those needs, a working capital loan or business line of credit is typically a better match, and can often be paired alongside equipment financing.
Axe throwing venue owners typically choose between a handful of financing structures. Here's how they stack up:
| Option | Best For | Typical Term | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Loan | Owning lanes/targets outright, building equity | 24-72 months | You own from day one |
| Equipment Lease | Lower monthly payments, easier upgrades later | 24-60 months | Option to buy at term end |
| SBA 7(a) Loan | Larger buildouts combined with working capital | Up to 10 years | You own from day one |
| Business Line of Credit | Smaller replacement purchases, flexible draws | Revolving | You own once drawn |
Crestmont Capital works with entertainment and recreation business owners to structure equipment financing around the realities of running a throwing lane business, not a generic loan template. We understand that a target board isn't the same collateral class as an office copier, and we underwrite accordingly.
For venues that want lower monthly payments while equipment ages and gets replaced on a regular cycle, our equipment leasing programs let you upgrade to newer self-healing targets and scoring systems without a large upfront capital outlay. If you're outfitting a location with previously-owned lane systems from a closing venue, our used equipment financing program can fund that purchase too.
Many axe throwing operators also carry seasonal fluctuations in booking volume, especially around holidays and corporate event season. Pairing your equipment financing with a business line of credit gives you a cash cushion for slower months without touching the funds earmarked for your lane build-out.
If you've already read our guide to axe throwing business loans, this article picks up where that one leaves off, focused specifically on financing the physical lanes, targets, and safety equipment rather than general working capital. Operators comparing axe throwing to other lane-based bar attractions may also find our darts bar equipment financing guide useful, since many venues run both formats side by side.
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Get Started →A first-time entrepreneur signs a lease for a 4,000-square-foot retail space and plans a six-lane axe throwing facility. With build-out costs of roughly $7,500 per lane for targets, cages, and safety gear, total equipment costs land around $45,000. Rather than pulling from a $60,000 SBA startup loan meant to cover lease deposits, buildout, and initial marketing, the owner finances the lane equipment separately, preserving the SBA funds for everything else.
An axe throwing venue that opened four years ago has target boards showing heavy splitting from daily commercial use. Rather than closing lanes for weeks to save up cash, the owner finances a full set of eight self-healing polymer targets, paying it off over 36 months using revenue from the very lanes being upgraded.
A neighborhood bar with underused back-room space wants to add three axe throwing lanes to increase per-visit spend and slow-night traffic. Financing covers the target boards, safety cage installation, and a scoring app tablet system, while the owner's existing cash reserves stay untouched for inventory and payroll.
A family entertainment center that already offers arcade games and mini bowling wants to add an axe throwing section to compete with a newer venue down the street. Equipment financing covers ten lanes' worth of targets and electronic scoring hardware, structured over 60 months to match the center's existing debt service schedule.
Pro Tip: Get an itemized equipment quote before applying. Lenders move faster on axe throwing equipment financing when they can see exactly what's being purchased (targets, cages, scoring tech) rather than a lump-sum "buildout" figure.
Axe throwing equipment financing is a commercial loan or lease used specifically to purchase target boards, lane framing, safety cages, axes, and scoring technology for an axe throwing venue. The equipment itself typically serves as collateral for the financing.
Industry estimates put the cost of safety equipment and target boards at roughly $7,500 per lane, with full venue build-outs (including leasehold improvements, POS systems, and furnishings) ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 or more depending on the number of lanes and additional amenities like a bar.
Yes. Many lenders, including Crestmont Capital, offer used equipment financing for lane systems and targets purchased secondhand, such as from a closing venue. Used equipment may require a condition assessment and typically carries a shorter repayment term than new equipment.
It depends on your goals. A loan builds equity and is typically cheaper over the long run if you plan to keep the equipment for its full useful life. A lease offers lower monthly payments and makes it easier to upgrade to newer scoring technology or replace worn targets at the end of the term.
Requirements vary by lender, but because the equipment secures the financing, approval standards for axe throwing equipment financing are generally more flexible than for unsecured loans. Stronger credit typically unlocks better rates and terms rather than being a strict cutoff for approval.
Yes, in many cases. Because the targets, cages, and lane equipment act as collateral, lenders can be more flexible about time in business than they would be for an unsecured working capital loan. Startups should be prepared to show a business plan, vendor quotes, and personal credit history.
Smaller equipment financing requests can be approved within 24 to 72 hours since underwriting relies heavily on the equipment quote and basic financial documentation rather than a lengthy commercial real estate appraisal process.
Most axe throwing equipment financing terms range from 24 to 72 months, depending on the loan amount and the expected useful life of the equipment being financed. SBA 7(a) loans used for larger buildouts can extend terms up to 10 years.
A properly structured equipment financing package covers the full lane system, including target boards, framing, safety cages, protective netting, and often the scoring hardware, not just the throwing surface itself. Always request an itemized quote that includes safety equipment.
Yes. Many venue owners pair equipment financing for their lanes and targets with a separate working capital loan or business line of credit to cover staffing, marketing, and day-to-day operating costs, keeping the two funding sources cleanly separated.
Most equipment leases offer a buyout option at the end of the term, allowing you to purchase the targets and lane equipment for a predetermined residual amount, or you can return the equipment and upgrade to newer models instead.
Yes. Sensor-based or camera-based scoring systems that automatically track throws and run tournament brackets are commonly included in axe throwing equipment financing packages alongside the physical target boards and lane structures.
SBA 7(a) loans work well for combining equipment costs with other startup expenses like leasehold improvements and working capital in a single loan with long repayment terms. Standalone equipment financing tends to close faster and is a good option when you specifically need to fund lanes and targets without bundling other costs.
Gather an itemized equipment quote from your target and lane vendor, recent business bank statements, and basic business information, then apply online. Crestmont Capital's application process can be completed in minutes with a decision often available within one to three business days.
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From new lane build-outs to target replacements, Crestmont Capital can help you finance the equipment your venue needs. Apply in minutes, no obligation.
Apply Now →Axe throwing equipment financing gives venue owners a practical way to fund targets, lane systems, and safety infrastructure without tying up the cash needed to run day-to-day operations. Whether you're opening your first six-lane facility, replacing worn target boards, or adding throwing lanes to an existing entertainment center, matching the right financing structure, loan or lease, term length, and lender, to your specific equipment needs makes the difference between a smooth build-out and a cash-strapped launch. Crestmont Capital works specifically with entertainment and recreation operators to structure financing around the realities of running a throwing lane venue.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Funding terms, qualifications, and product availability may vary and are subject to change without notice. Crestmont Capital does not guarantee approval, rates, or specific outcomes. For personalized information about your business funding options, contact our team directly.