Dating Trend 2026: Sports as a New Way for Young People to Find Love

JAKARTA - Finding a partner through dating apps is often exhausting. However, the latest data shows that by 2026, exercise is actually a new and effective way to find love.

This was revealed from research by Feeld, a dating app that monitors relationship trends and how people build connections over the past year.

Experts assess that interest in sports now has a big role in the world of dating, especially among young people. Sports are not only about healthy living, but also a place to socialize and get acquainted.

Quoted from the New York Post website on Saturday, January 3, 2026, the running community, playing tennis together, and other community sports are now used by many people to meet partners.

"The emphasis on experience, socializing, and building intimacy through structured activities and clubs helps explain why more and more people are open about their interest in sports," said Dr. Luke Brunning, associate director of the Centre for Love, Sex and Relationships (CLSR) at the University of Leeds.

"Plus, with the increasing role of women in sports, the increasing visibility of non-mainstream sports on social media, and the cultural emphasis on fitness and health, sports have a bigger stage in the dating world," he continued.

The research also noted that eight out of 10 Gen Z interests whose growth is fastest are related to sports. The running community, which was originally popular, is now followed by many other sports activities as a means of building connections.

Interest in tennis, soccer, basketball, and fitness increased by 300-600 percent. Soccer recorded an increase of almost 600 percent, while basketball, running, swimming, gym, and workout increased by about 350 percent.

Tennis is one of the most prominent. During this year's U.S. Open Fan Week, a YouTube series titled "Game, Set, Matchmaker" was released, which brought together eight couples with a tennis tournament background.

"The U.S. Open is more than just a tournament, it's a cultural stage," said Alana Glenn Moritz, creative director of Fresh Tape Media.

"We created this series to capture that energy in its purest form. Unexpected, relevant, and touching drama and connections that make this show different from others," he added.

A similar trend was seen at the Ryder Cup. Many single women chose to come to the golf tournament rather than playing dating apps. Comedian Heather McMahan even suggested women in the tri-state area to come to Bethpage.

"Take the train, take the Long Island Railroad, LIRR there, buy a daily ticket, that's where you'll meet a lot of interesting guys," he said.

One visitor, Colleen Griparich, said she was surprised by the number of men in attendance.

"As soon as I got in, I immediately sent a message to my friends and called my mother via FaceTime while saying, 'Look at all these guys,'" he said.

"I could see maybe 500 or 600 men at once. I really can't believe it. They all look like good people, because they wear golf shirts. And who doesn't look neat with a golf shirt?" he added.

In addition, pickleball sports also contribute to this trend. Pickleball courts in New York are now crowded with Gen Z and millennials who want to meet new people. The relaxed atmosphere makes chatting easy.

Running communities are still popular and often referred to as the 'new version of Tinder'. Dr. Zac Turner said that sports together help people connect through the same experience.

"It's also a natural way to connect, no ghosting, no swiping profiles whose personality is just 'like the gym and crypto,'" he said.

"Even if you can't find a partner, at least you can come home with a fitter body." he continued.