At the turn of the year, many people focus more on interpersonal relationships alongside professional and personal resolutions. In this context, a recurring phenomenon has established itself in the world of online dating: the so-called “Dating Sunday.”

The first Sunday of the year is considered the busiest day across industries on dating apps. Platforms like Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble regularly record a significant increase in logins, likes, and messages on this date.

According to internal data from Hinge, the first Sunday of 2025 was also the busiest day on the platform. On January 6, 2025, there were 31.2% more likes and 24.5% more messages compared to an average Sunday in 2024. The timing of activity shows clear patterns: the highest number of likes at 7 p.m., and the highest number of messages and voice messages at 9 p.m.

For 2026, “Dating Sunday” falls on January 4 – again the first Sunday of the new year.

The increase in activity on this day can be explained by several factors. After the holiday season, many singles reflect on personal goals, newly formulated resolutions (“New Year, new me”), and the desire for interpersonal connection, leading to increased use of dating apps. Additionally, the transition period between the holidays and the regular work routine allows more free time for active use of these platforms.

Singles can prepare by optimizing their profiles with expressive photos and thoughtful prompt answers, initiating communication proactively within the first 24 hours after a match to increase response chances, and using peak activity times to send likes or messages to enhance visibility and interaction likelihood.

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