The term can be traced back to 2016 and refers to the sweet spot between the new year and Valentine’s Day, when people are eager for new experiences – with dating at the top of their agenda.

Typically, dating apps experience a massive surge in users and activity on Dating Sunday. In 2018, the app Coffee Meets Bagel saw a 75% increase on the first Sunday of the year compared to the previous 30 days, while Tinder experienced a 41% jump in downloads from the week before. Inner Circle, meanwhile, is expecting a 40% increase in new members on Dating Sunday 2023.

“Dating Sunday is the Super Bowl of the dating world, and this January will be no different,” says Masha Kodden, Inner Circle’s CEO.

“On this day every year, we see a surge of new members joining the app and a huge increase in activity – chats, likes and swapping numbers – particularly in the evening between 7pm and 10pm.”

Kodden says that 2022 has been a particularly tough year for singles, with rising inflation and higher costs playing a part along with the emergence of toxic dating trends like winter coating.

Why Dating Sunday is the best January date for those returning to dating apps