Dating in 2026 is hard. The apps are overwhelmed with too much choice and too many fake profiles. Traditional “speed dating” feels like it hasn’t changed since the 90s. And even leaving your home in London feels like you’ve instantly spent £30 minimum. So we decided to try something different this Valentine’s Day.
This past weekend, we teamed up with Date Wildly to host a Valentine’s Day Singles Special that proved the best way to meet new people is through a high-energy game of Netsketball – one of our signature Rabble classics! We ditched awkward candlelit dinners in favour of skipping, running and throwing our way to making new connections.
We believe the best way to meet people is by keeping things active and social – getting outside, having a laugh, and making connections with people who don’t take themselves too seriously.
If throwing a giant yoga ball at someone isn’t flirting, then we don’t know what is.
And that’s where we think Rabble excels. For the past 12 years, Rabble has helped hundreds of Londoners meet each other – resulting in romance, marriages, families, and lifelong friendships along the way. There’s something truly magical about it… by focusing on team-based games and play, you can break the ice naturally without any pressure – or any egos.
Which brings us to our recent Valentine’s session in Southwark Park, where we brought 22 singles together for an hour of outdoor games followed by social drinks at Leadbelly’s in Canada Water.
We were incredibly lucky with the weather – the sunshine on our faces after a long stretch of cold and wet days was a very welcome feeling. And a great sign for our singles!
We didn’t just run; we tagged, we dodged, we strategised. With David acting as our “dating coach” for the day, participants navigated “love-themed” challenges, like finding your wingman/wingwoman, forming a giant, hand-holding chain in Snake Tag, and working as a team to steal cones and protect their bases in Hunger Games. It was a lot of fun, but even better – the session provided a chance for people to see each other in their best light. No boring profiles or dull back and forth chat. They laughed, they played together, they worked up a sweat and were able to just be themselves. And in our opinion, that’s the most attractive quality in a person!
We don’t take ourselves too seriously at Rabble.
Of course, in true Rabble fashion, the games were only half the story. After the session, the group headed to Leadbelly’s in Canada Water for some food, drinks, chat, and board games. This is where the magic really happens and why we believe Rabble is one of the best social sports clubs in London! As a community group focused on making fitness fun, this social element is where the real connections are made. We see it every day with our players, and our singles were no exception. What started as an hour of games quickly became hours spent chatting and playing games, and even resulted in some future plans being made…!
The best way to meet people is by getting outside, being active, and having a laugh.
Did they find the love of their lives? Only time will tell. Either way, the feedback was clear: people had a great time, and many are already looking forward to their next game!
If you missed the Valentine’s special, don’t worry! Rabble hosts multiple social events each month and plays every week across the UK:
- London: Finsbury Park (Mon/Sat), Shoreditch Park (Tue), Elephant & Castle (Wed), Southwark Park (Sat), and Clapham Common (Sun).
- UK-Wide: Weekly sessions in Cambridge, Edinburgh, Bicester, Worthing, and Aylesbury.
Whether you’re looking for a unique workout in London or want to expand your social circle with people who don’t take themselves too seriously, there’s a spot on the team for you.
Use code FREEPLAY for your first session!