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In the online dating scene, your profile picture and bio aren't the only things that matter. Believe it or not, your favorite sports can also play a significant role in catching someone's eye - it can make you the MVP or bench you for good.
We surveyed 3,000 single Americans and 3,000 single Canadians to uncover which athletic interests make them swipe right or left. Ready to find out if your love for baseball hits a home run or if your passion for fishing fails to reel them in? Dive into our findings and see how your favorite sports score in the game of love!
So, which sports get Americans' hearts racing and which ones give them the ick?
To kick things off, we’ve explored the sports Americans love to see on dating profiles. Taking the top spot with a slam dunk, basketball is crowned the most attractive sport for Americans. Basketball dominates in 11 states, including California, Illinois, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, and is especially popular among Gen Z. When it comes to gender, men find basketball the most attractive athletic interest in a potential partner. So, lace up those sneakers and get ready to score in the dating game!
Football tackles its way to the 2nd spot as the most popular sport on dating profiles. When it comes to potential partners, females find football to be the ultimate touchdown. For Gen X and boomers, football is the MVP, scoring as their top pick. On state level, football dominates in 7 states, including Georgia, Kansas, Virginia, and Missouri—proving that the football fever is real!
Soccer dribbles its way to 3rd place as the sport singles love seeing on dating profiles. Millennials have fallen head over cleats for soccer, making it their favorite. Across the nation, soccer leads in 6 states, including New York, Texas, Florida, and New Mexico.
Baseball and hiking round out the top 5 athletic interests that light up dating profiles. Baseball stands out in 5 states, including Nevada, Arizona, and New Jersey—showing it still has plenty of fans rooting for it. In addition, hiking trails its way to popularity in 4 states like Kentucky and Ohio, and also shines as the top sport for non-binary individuals. Whether you’re hitting home runs or exploring nature, these sports are making a big impression!
Boxing takes the crown as the top pick for transgender people, proving it’s a knockout choice. Meanwhile, for those of other gender identities, yoga and Pilates lead, offering a perfect mix of tranquility and strength.
Moving onto the least attractive sports, fishing has reeled in the title of the least appealing for single Americans. If you’re flaunting your latest catch in your dating profile pics, it might be time for a switch-up if you’re aiming to be a catch yourself. Fishing takes the bottom spot for males, non-binary, and other genders. Even millennials and Gen X agree—when it comes to dating appeal, fishing just doesn’t hook ‘em. Time to swap that rod for a more irresistible bait!
Esports may have leveled up in popularity, but it’s still lagging behind when it comes to attractiveness—sitting at the 2nd spot on the least favorite sports leaderboard. Both females and boomers aren’t exactly hitting the "like" button here and have labelled it their least attractive sport. So, if you're aiming to dazzle with your gaming skills, you might need to power up your strategy. Meanwhile, football has been flagged at the bottom of the list for transgender individuals.
In the dating game, a shared passion for sports is a major plus for females, non-binary, transgender, and other gender identities seeking partners with similar interests. For males, physical fitness tops the list of desirable traits.
When it comes to Gen Z, millennials, and boomers, physical attractiveness takes the lead, while Gen X values a common love for hobbies. Overall, 59% of Americans prefer a partner who engages in the same sport as them.
From hockey hat tricks to slam dunk fails, let’s dive into how Canada’s top sports can boost your love life—or leave you on ice.
Hockey skates to the top as Canada’s most attractive sport, with women especially eyeing it as a major dating plus. Across the board—Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X all agree—hockey is the clear winner. From Alberta to British Columbia, this sport isn’t just popular; it’s a nationwide love affair. So, if you’re looking to score a date, showing off your hockey skills might just be your best play.
Soccer has dribbled its way to the runner-up spot as the 2nd most popular sport for single Canadians. In New Brunswick and Ontario, it’s the top choice for those on the lookout for romance. With its undeniable charm, soccer is winning hearts and scoring big, both on and off the pitch.
Dance glides into 3rd place overall but pirouettes to the top for non-binary individuals. In Quebec and Nova Scotia, it's the showstopper, dominating the charts and leading the way. So, dust off those dancing shoes and get ready to bust a move!
Basketball and hiking complete the top 5, with hiking emerging as the favorite among boomers. Males are most attracted to yoga and Pilates, while tennis and padel are the top picks for transgender individuals.
Just like our neighbors to the south, fishing reels in the title of least attractive sport for Canadians. It’s not making waves among women, transgender individuals, or even several different generations. Whether you’re Gen Z, a millennial, or Gen X, it seems fishing’s allure just isn’t quite hooking anyone. So, if you’re swiping through dating apps and hoping for a shared passion for casting lines, you might be better off fishing for other interests!
It might come as a surprise, but football lands in the 2nd spot for least attractive sport among Canadians—quite the contrast to its runner-up status in American hearts. While boxing doesn’t make the overall list, it still can’t land a knockout with men looking for a partner. Meanwhile, baseball strikes out as the least appealing for non-binary folks. And for boomers, Esports take the crown as the least enticing option. So, if you’re hoping to bond over a game, you might want to steer clear of these picks!
Across the board, females, males, and non-binary individuals find a shared interest in sports the most appealing trait in a partner. Millennials are interested in finding a partner who shares their hobbies.
Transgender individuals, on the other hand, place a premium on physical fitness. This is also true of Gen Z, Gen X, and boomers. Overall, 62% of Canadians prefer a partner who participates in the same sport.
In conclusion, whether you’re navigating the dating scene in the U.S. or Canada, it’s clear that a shared interest in sports can be a major plus. But remember, these trends are just a bit of fun and shouldn’t dictate your choices. So go ahead and dive into the sports you love, and don’t let these preferences hold you back—unless, of course, you’re into fishing! In that case, you might want to cast your net a bit wider.
We surveyed 3,000 single Americans and 3,000 single Canadians to uncover their preferences for the most and least attractive sports. Our analysis was detailed, breaking down the data by state, province, territory, gender, and age group.
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