How to Find Love in 2026: Play Sports and Activities,

We are ready to score goals.

Dating itself can feel like a sport, but new data shows one of the most powerful ways to find love in 2026 is through exercise.

The findings come from research conducted by Feld, a dating app that caters to an “open-minded” lifestyle, which reviewed the trends found in the areas of human sexuality, desire, identity and connection over the past year.

Interest in sports and physical activities is driving relationships, especially among young singles, as the new social currency for building connections, experts say.

From running clubs to competitive tennis and dopamine-boosting community sports, romantic hopefuls are incorporating organized sports into their social lives and the way they try to make friends.

Dr Luke Brunning, lecturer in applied ethics and co-director of the Center for Love, Sex and Relationships (CLSR) at the University of Leeds, said in a written statement announcing the findings: “The emphasis on experience, socializing and building intimacy through structured activities and clubs helps to understand why more people are speaking out about sport.”

“Coupled with the increasing participation of women in sports, the visibility of alternative sports on social media, and the cultural emphasis on health, fitness and wellness, the stage is set for sports to take a more prominent role in dating,” Bruning said.

The survey results show that among the fastest-growing interests of Generation Z, sports occupy 8 of the top 10 positions. What started as running clubs as the go-to hangout for Gen Z and Millennials eventually evolved into a full-blown craze for sports as a form of connection.

Interest in tennis, football, basketball and general fitness increased by 300-600%, the report said.

Football grew nearly seven times, nearly 600%, while basketball, soccer, running, swimming, gym and exercise all grew 4.5 times, about 350%.

Maybe it’s the “challenger” effect, but interest in tennis alone has increased by 600%, and the sport is certainly capitalizing on the love.

During this year’s Fan Week at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the US Open filmed, produced and released its own YouTube series called “Games, Sets, Matchmakers,” which follows eight couples to see if they can become each other’s lifelong doubles partners.

Those selected must have a passion for the sport of tennis and an interest in experiencing the U.S. Open.

“The U.S. Open is more than just a championship, it’s a cultural stage,” Fresh Tape Media creative director Alana Glenn Moritz said at the time, according to The Hollywood Reporter .

“We created this series to capture that energy in its purest form. It’s unexpected, it’s current, and it taps into the drama and connection that make this event special.”

A similar situation occurred at the Ryder Cup in September, when single women ditched dating apps and headed to the golf tournament to find eligible bachelors.

Comedian Heather McMahan shared on her podcast at the time that girls in the tri-state area should run to Bethpage to meet someone.

“Take the train, take the Long Island Rail Road, the Long Island Rail Road there, buy a day pass … that’s where you’re going to meet some hotties,” she said — and some people followed her advice.

“As soon as I walked in, I texted my friends and Facetimed my mom and said, ‘Look at these guys,'” Colleen Griparich, a 36-year-old single from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, previously told The Washington Post. “I probably saw 500 or 600 people at the same time. I couldn’t even believe it.”

“They all seemed like good people because they were wearing golf shirts, and who doesn’t look good in a golf shirt?” she added.

The rise of pickleball has also contributed to the love fest, as New York City’s pickleball courts have become hot spots for Gen Z and Millennials looking for love.

When playing pickleball, you’re often playing with strangers, either competing against them or taking turns, and the small boundaries and casual nature of the game allow you to chat — and, of course, flirt — with others on the court.

Of course, there will always be some running clubs, who entered the active dating scene early and are often referred to as the “new Tinder.”

Dr. Zach Turner noted earlier this year that running a club — or any organized sport — can help singles meet new people and bond over “shared pain.”

Plus, everyone was wearing activewear, so there was no fuss about the first date attire choice.

“It’s also a natural way to connect – there’s no ghosting, no swiping of bios where someone’s only personality trait is ‘likes gyms and cryptocurrencies’,” he added.

“If nothing else, at least you’re leaving with a good workout.”