# Tantan Expands Fitness Events to Boost Female Sign-Ups _Tantan's fitness events led to a 5% rise in female sign-ups post-event, showing founders the potential of IRL activities to enhance user engagement._ Source: https://highintentmedia.com/news/tantan-joins-irl-dating-events Author: High Intent Newsroom Published: 2026-09-18T03:21:30+00:00 Last updated: 2026-09-18T03:55:31.692055+00:00 Category: Platforms ## Summary Tantan's expansion of fitness events in Asia-Pacific led to a 5% increase in female sign-ups post-event. This demonstrates that real-world activities can boost user acquisition and engagement, with high attendance rates. Operators should consider integrating IRL experiences to attract new users and reduce dating pressure. ## Key takeaways - Tantan's fitness events increased female sign-ups by 5% in the week after each event. - Companies like Tantan, Surf, and ATEAM use shared physical activities for user connection. - Jigsaw Dating runs over 200 monthly events in 30+ US cities with five employees. - Fitness events offer less pressure and provide natural conversation starters for singles. - There is a broader industry shift towards combining online apps with in-person experiences. ## FAQ ### What specific user growth did Tantan see from its fitness events? Tantan reported a 5% increase in female sign-ups for its app in the week following each fitness event. This indicates that real-world activities directly contributed to user acquisition. The events also saw high attendance rates, with about 90% of registered participants showing up to the activities. ### What types of events are dating apps organizing to bring singles together? Dating apps are organizing fitness and social events such as runs, workouts, and mixers. Tantan hosts vertical runs and bar runs. Surf partners for pre-race runs and recovery sessions, while ATEAM uses SoulCycle and Life Time Fitness. Jigsaw Dating includes speed dating and pickleball events. ### How resource-intensive are these real-world events for dating companies? Running real-world events can be efficient. Jigsaw Dating, for example, manages over 200 singles events monthly across more than 30 US cities with only five full-time employees. This suggests that scaled event operations are achievable without massive staffing, potentially through partnerships or optimized processes. ### Why are dating apps focusing on fitness events instead of traditional meetups? Dating apps focus on fitness events because shared physical activities create better connections and reduce dating pressure. These events give singles something to do together, which lessens awkwardness, and they appeal to health-conscious users. They also provide structured environments for natural conversation. - Tantan has expanded fitness and social events across Asia-Pacific, with some events filling within a day and 90% attendance rates - The dating app reported a 5% increase in female sign-ups in the week following each event - Upcoming events include a 300-person vertical run in Bangkok and a Bar Run in Taichung expected to draw 3,500 participants - Jigsaw Dating runs over 200 singles events monthly with just five full-time employees across 30+ US cities Dating apps are moving beyond swipes and screens by organizing real-world fitness events that bring singles together in active, social settings. Companies like Tantan, Surf, and ATEAM are betting that shared physical activities create better connections than traditional dates. This shift reflects a broader industry trend toward in-person experiences that reduce pressure while increasing engagement. ## Tantan Leads with Fitness-Focused Events Tantan, one of Asia-Pacific's largest dating apps, is expanding its fitness and social events across the region. The company has been organizing runs, workouts, and other activities since 2025. Some events have filled within a day, and around 90% of registered participants have attended. Tantan also reported a 5% increase in female app sign-ups in the week after each event. Upcoming events include a vertical run for around 300 people in Bangkok and a two-day Bar Run in Taichung, expected to attract up to 3,500 participants. The focus on fitness gives singles something to do together and takes some of the pressure away from meeting for a date. Group of people running together at a fitness event ## Competing Apps Join the Movement Tantan is not the only dating app using fitness to bring people together. Surf works with HYROX on pre-race runs, recovery sessions, blind dates, and after-parties. Wellness dating app ATEAM held around 30 events for 2,000 people before launching its app. ATEAM also works with SoulCycle and Life Time Fitness to create opportunities for singles to meet through shared wellness activities. These partnerships allow dating apps to tap into existing fitness communities and provide structured environments for connection. The strategy reduces the awkwardness of traditional dating while appealing to health-conscious users. > The focus on fitness gives singles something to do together and takes some of the pressure away from meeting for a date. Singles socializing at a wellness-themed dating event ## The Industry Shifts Toward Real-World Connections The move is part of a wider shift towards IRL dating. Tinder is expanding its IRL events, mainly through partnerships with third-party event providers. At the GDI London Conference, Jigsaw Dating General Manager Maisie Baker surprised the audience by revealing that the company runs more than 200 singles events each month, despite having only five full-time employees. Jigsaw started as a dating app that gradually revealed profile photos as people chatted. It has since become a hybrid dating platform, running mixers, speed dating, pickleball, and other events across more than 30 US cities. This transformation demonstrates how dating apps are evolving from purely digital platforms into comprehensive matchmaking services that blend online and offline experiences. > Jigsaw Dating runs more than 200 singles events each month, despite having only five full-time employees. Participants engaging in social activities at a dating event - Dating apps are successfully converting digital users into event attendees, with high participation rates proving the demand for in-person experiences - Fitness-based events attract more female users and create natural conversation opportunities that reduce dating anxiety - The hybrid model combining apps with real-world events is becoming the new standard for dating platforms seeking sustainable growth Published by High Intent (High Intent Media Inc). Citation permitted with a link to the source URL above.