More than one in five football fans would refuse to date someone who supports a rival team, according to new research. The study highlights that many fans consider team loyalty a crucial factor in romantic compatibility, often addressing it from the very beginning of a relationship.
Early Screening for Team Allegiance
A poll of 2,000 football fans found that 38% will always ask a potential date which club they support in the early stages of dating. Nearly four in ten (36%) do this to determine if it is a dealbreaker, while 23% ask because of concerns about what their friends or family might think.
The research, commissioned by the real-life dating app happn, also revealed that women are more likely than men to bring up the topic on a first date. Specifically, 15% of women ask about team support on a first date, compared to 11% of men. Among these women, six in ten do so to check for similar interests, whereas 41% of men ask to avoid a potential dealbreaker if they do not support the same team.
Arguments Over Football Rivalries
For couples who support different teams, football can be a source of conflict. The most common causes of arguments include match results (19%), refereeing decisions (17%), and games taking priority over social events (16%). Additionally, 22% of fans have argued about which team their future children will support.
Claire Rénier, dating expert at happn, commented: "For UK singles, football isn't just entertainment, it's a compatibility blueprint. Our research shows that team loyalty is a definitive dealbreaker for many, with fans looking for a true teammate rather than a romantic rival."
Football as a Key Hobby on Dating Profiles
The obsession with finding a teammate is reflected in happn's own app data, which shows that football is the second most commonly listed hobby on UK profiles. This underscores the importance of football in the dating lives of many singles.
To celebrate the summer of sport, happn has partnered with the Prince of Peckham pub to offer free drinks to anyone on a date during half time of the first England match on 17th June. Rénier added: "With the summer of sport building excitement, we want to help singles turn match-day energy into real-life connections, which is why we're so excited to partner with the Prince of Peckham to bring daters together this summer."
