Tired of swiping on dating apps? Let your friends pitch you with a presentation in this new, humor-filled way to meet people

Key takeaways

• In 2026, in-person dating events known as PPT Dating are quietly emerging in cities across Europe and the U.S., including London and New York.
• At this social party, called Date My Mate, friends take the stage to give enthusiastic presentations pitching their single friends.
• Using humorous images and text, the presentations break down a friend’s strengths, flaws, preferences, and dating history to help them find a partner.
• This laughter-filled form of bar interaction has successfully broken through the online social fatigue brought on by traditional dating apps.

A new way of dating called “PowerPoint Dating” is quietly emerging in bars in London, Ireland, and New York. There is no awkward blind-date atmosphere at these events; instead, they are full of laughter and applause. The presenters aren’t there to discuss sales figures, nor are the wide screens displaying business charts. Instead, they’re enthusiastically pitching their single friend to everyone else in the room who’s single.

• Related reading: Lovers can become love rivals, too! Korea’s first dating reality show to break gender boundaries, “Stand BI Me,” takes romantic chaos to the next level

A guide to finding a partner, written by the people who know you best

The most interesting part of this dating format is that you don’t have to step into the spotlight and talk yourself up. Instead, your friend prepares a carefully crafted presentation that uses images and text to break down your personality, strengths and weaknesses, unique preferences, and even your absurd past dating experiences in just a few minutes. Compared with the heavily filtered, polished self-introductions on dating apps, having a close friend who has known you for years reveal your most authentic, down-to-earth side feels especially endearing and candid.

A desire for genuine connection

When we’re tired of virtual conversations with someone on the other side of a screen, this kind of in-person interaction offers a chance to connect for real. It turns what is typically a goal-oriented matchmaking event into a gathering of friends. When choosing a partner, modern women often place humor and shared values high on their list. Through the presentation, the audience can quickly get a sense of a person’s pace of life and the atmosphere of their friend group. Would you want to attend a dating gathering like this?

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