Online dating: 8 Sapphic dating trends for 2026, per Passionerad’s Sofie Roos

Sofie Roos — a licensed sexologist and relationship therapist who contributes to the Swedish sex and relationship magazine Passionerad — has outlined eight trends she expects to shape how sapphic and queer women date in 2026. Roos shared her predictions in a piece published on Passionerad; the original author page is available here.

Quality over quantity

Roos predicts a shift away from casual, aimless swiping toward more selective dating. Many people will be choosier about who they invest time in, and when they do commit attention to someone, they’ll do so more wholeheartedly.

Waiting longer before having sex

Among queer women and non-binary daters, Roos expects a growing preference for building emotional intimacy before becoming sexual. That trend points to more people prioritising emotional connection prior to physical intimacy.

Less apps, more IRL flirting

Fatigue with dating apps will prompt many to seek connections offline. While apps will remain useful for some, Roos foresees an increase in in-person approaches and spontaneous flirting during everyday activities.

Dating for fun without pressure

Roos warns against dating driven by obligation or external expectation. Instead, she anticipates more sapphic daters will adopt a relaxed approach, treating dates as opportunities for enjoyment and stimulation rather than tasks to be completed.

Finding dates through community events

Community-based, in-person events for lesbian, sapphic and queer people have grown since the pandemic lockdowns. Roos expects that trend to continue, with queer pub nights, running clubs and similar activities becoming fertile ground for meeting potential partners.

Online dating will get more personalised

Even as some move offline, many will still use online platforms. Roos hopes dating services will evolve to deliver more personalised matches tuned to users’ identities and preferences — a change that could improve the quality and frequency of meaningful matches.

Dating without a relationship label

Closely tied to the emphasis on fun, Roos anticipates a rise in situationships — undefined relationships that can complicate the dating landscape. Clear communication about intentions and feelings will become increasingly important.

Activity-based dates early on

First dates focused on shared activities — galleries, concerts, walks, cooking — will gain popularity. Roos notes that doing something active can ease nerves and create a more relaxed setting for getting to know one another compared with sitting across a table.