Dating Sunday 2027 falls on January 3. It's the first Sunday of the new year and a peak day for activity on dating apps. If you plan to start dating in January, get your photos, bio and first messages ready in December, and check that you're ready to date before you sign up.
Dating Sunday, defined
Dating Sunday is the name apps give to the first Sunday in January, the first weekend after the holidays.
One app's Dating Sunday data put swipes on that day nearly 13% above the rest of the year, with messages nearly 10% higher. The same release called the stretch from January 1 to Valentine's Day "Peak Season."
In 2027, Dating Sunday falls on January 3, two days after New Year's Day.
Dating Sunday 2027 checklist
Work through this list in December so you finish your profile before the rush.
By December 15: photos
- Pick four to six photos from the past year.
- Lead with a clear photo of your face in good light, without sunglasses or filters.
- Add one photo of you doing something you enjoy.
- Cut group shots where a match can't tell which person you are.
- If you have kids, keep their faces out of your photos.
Our dating profile tips for starting over cover photos in more detail, including what to do about photos with kids.
By December 20: your bio
Write your bio in this order: your life now, a line about your past if it matters, what you want, and a date idea. Keep it under 150 words. Read it out loud. If it sounds like a resume, rewrite it the way you'd say it to a friend.
The profile guide has example bios for people who are divorced, never married or raising kids.
By December 27: first messages
Draft two or three openers you can adapt. Point to something specific in their profile and ask a question they can answer in one line. "You hike Red River Gorge too? Which trail would you pick for a first-timer?" works better than "hey."
By January 1: settings
- Set your distance and age range.
- Pick your intention, so matches know what you want.
- Turn on any verification the app offers.
Before Dating Sunday, check that you're ready
If you're still in the thick of a breakup, a divorce, or the first year after losing a spouse, a flood of matches can make you feel worse.
Take our 12-question readiness check before you sign up. It takes about two minutes. If your result says to give it some time, plan for Dating Sunday in January 2028.
For a fuller self-check, read how to know you're ready.
On Dating Sunday itself
- Set a time limit. An hour in the morning and an hour in the evening beats a full day of swiping.
- Answer your matches. You'll get more than usual, so reply to the ones you like within a day and let the rest go.
- Suggest a meeting within a week. Pick a coffee shop or a walk in a public place, and tell a friend where you'll be.
If the apps wear you down by February, our dating app burnout guide has a two-week reset.
Get ready on The Transfer Portal
The Transfer Portal dating app starts with a 12-question check-in about how you're doing and what you want next. You pick an intention, such as a life partner, companionship, or time to explore, so matches see what you want before the first message.
If you want to ease in on a busy day, turn on Soft Start. You get 5 swipes a day, plus daily mood check-ins and reflection prompts. Photo verification is optional: a person reviews a pose selfie, and you can add an ID check if you choose.
Founding members get 1 year of Premium free. The app is on iOS and Android. Download The Transfer Portal and set up your profile before January 3.