There are certain things you don’t fully grasp about adulthood until you’re deep in it. Sure, you can order chicken nuggets whenever you want, but you also have to pay taxes, book your own doctor’s appointments and juggle a never-ending to-do list.
There’s the job you’re paid (arguably too little) to do, and then there’s the unpaid admin of being alive: cleaning your home, maintaining friendships, exercising, calling your grandma, hitting a daily step count, reading whatever books former President Barack Obama recommended this year and somehow keeping up with every “must-watch” Netflix show.
Once all of that is done, you’re also expected to find the time — and emotional energy — to date and identify a person with whom you’d like to share the rest of your life. So, it’s no surprise that Gen Z is approaching romance with the same efficiency they apply to everything else.
Enter “stack dating.”
What is ‘stack dating’?
“Stack dating” is the practice of scheduling multiple dates per week, sometimes even multiple dates in a single day. It’s a way to maximize free time in the search for a relationship. Instead of letting dating happen “when you have time,” you fill the gaps in your schedule with dates.
Tinder’s global relationship insights expert Paul Brunson has a far more eloquent way of putting it:
“‘Stack dating’ is essentially designing your dating life the same way you design the rest of your day — with intention, efficiency, and a whole lot less pressure,” Brunson said. “It’s when someone schedules back-to-back dates that fit naturally into their routine. Think: a coffee and walk with one match in the morning, hitting the gym with another, and maybe dinner with a third. Some people even call it ‘errand dating,’ because it folds seamlessly into the flow of your everyday life.”
A guy friend of mine recently told me he met one Tinder match for coffee before work and another for a comedy show after work. His schedule was packed, so he takes openings when he can, and he’d rather meet people quickly than get stuck in weeks of endless app messaging.
As an introvert, this sounds like my personal version of hell. Yet I can also see the appeal of creating some order out of the chaos of online dating. And apparently, I’m not the target audience. According to Tinder, Gen Z is really embracing the trend.
“They’re placing a higher value on their own time — and respecting their matches’ time, too.”
– Paul Brunson, global relationship insights expert at Tinder
“Gen Zers are making this kind of dating work for them,” Brunson said. “They’ve figured out that dating matters, but it doesn’t have to dominate the day or throw off their rhythm. They’re placing a higher value on their own time — and respecting their matches’ time, too.”
According to Tinder’s research, 51% of Gen Z are open to new and more flexible ways of dating around their schedules.
“At its core, stack dating is a response to a generation saying, ‘I want meaningful connection, but I also want to honour my routine, my wellbeing, and my priorities,’” Brunson added.
In practice, “stack dating” might look like coffee before work and a comedy show after — or something even lower-lift, like going for a run together, hitting your step count on a lunchtime walk or grabbing breakfast before a busy day. It’s not about cramming romance in at all costs; it’s about treating it as a genuine priority, scheduled in alongside the rest of your life.
Is ‘stack dating’ the key to finding love in 2026?
Should we all start cramming dates into every free slot on our calendars? Is going on multiple dates a day the secret to finding love in the chaos of online dating? And will “stack dating” replace “freak matching” and “grim keeping”?
“‘Stack dating’ can absolutely increase your chances of finding the right person — not because you’re going on more dates, but because you’re going on dates that feel low-pressure and aligned with who you really are,” Brunson said. “When you’re relaxed, you show up as your authentic self, and that’s when real compatibility becomes visible.”
“It also helps you spot early on whether someone actually fits into your life,” Brunson added. “Most singles today say they want first dates that feel playful and easy. In fact, 35% of singles say they’re looking for a ‘low-key lover.’ ‘Stack dating’ supports that by creating opportunities to bring someone into your real world.”
AleksandarNakic via Getty Images
Brunson doesn’t see “stack dating” as a way to weed through endless options, but as a mindset shift that comes from dating more frequently. Think about it: Your first date after a dry spell always feels nerve-wracking, while your second in a week feels like riding a bike — no pun intended. Maybe “stack dating” could help people relax and just be themselves.
Emma Hathorn, dating expert at Seeking.com, isn’t quite sold on the practice.
“‘Stack dating’ is essentially speed dating for the chronically busy: efficient, but focused on quantity over quality,” Hathorn said. “While it might save time, it often strips dating of curiosity, fun, and emotional presence, turning people into options instead of treating them as unique individuals. Dating works best when there’s space to slow down; not everything needs to be optimised and time-efficient.”
“While it might save time, it often strips dating of curiosity, fun, and emotional presence, turning people into options instead of treating them as unique individuals.”
– Emma Hathorn, Dating Expert at Seeking.com
Hathorn also noted that for most people, anything beyond one or two dates a week can start to feel like emotional overload.
“When dating becomes back-to-back, it’s harder to stay present, excited, or genuinely invested,” she said. “The moment it starts to feel like a diary exercise, the enjoyment — and the connection — tends to disappear.”
If we treat dating like another item on our to-do list, are we really going to find love — or just the easiest option? Will we meet our perfect match or a person whose schedule happens to align with ours, or whose office is within walking distance?
Sometimes, in our obsession with maximizing output, we lose sight of the joy in life. We listen to audiobooks at 1.5x speed, combine seeing friends with a pilates class and eat the same dinner for five days straight because it’s convenient to meal prep. In doing so, we lose spontaneity — the very thing that often makes life, and dating, feel worth it.
Should stack-daters be honest about how many dates they’re going on?
If you’re stacking dates and seeing multiple people each week, should you be upfront about it… or plead the fifth?
“Yes, absolutely,” Hathorn said. “Modern dating comes with the unspoken understanding that most people are seeing more than one person, but being upfront creates clarity and avoids mismatched expectations later on. Transparency sets a healthier foundation if something progresses beyond the early stages.”
You don’t have to volunteer the information on the first date, but if the topic comes up early on, don’t lie. You do not want to start a potential connection with dishonesty.
Now go forth… and plan some dates.
