London IRL Singles Events Draw Crowds as Tinder Loses 594,000 UK Users
Updated
Updated · CNN · Aug 4
London IRL Singles Events Draw Crowds as Tinder Loses 594,000 UK Users
1 articles · Updated · CNN · Aug 4
Summary
120 singles packed a sold-out Chicken Rush event in London, part of a broader shift toward in-person, activity-led dating as users sour on apps.
80% of Millennials and 79% of Gen Z in a Forbes survey said they feel burned out by dating apps, citing weak connections, repetitive chats and endless swiping.
UK app use has also slipped: Ofcom said Tinder lost 594,000 users in 2024, while Bumble lost 368,000 and Hinge 131,000.
Organizers are leaning into low-pressure formats — from salsa nights with 80 attendees to rotating dinner parties and themed events for people under 6 feet tall.
The appeal is strong enough that even dating platforms are adapting: Tinder added an Events tab in March 2026 to steer users toward in-person meetups.