Safety first, then the fun
Most first dates are nothing more dramatic than two nervous people trying to decide whether to order another drink. Still, meeting someone you only know from the internet carries some risk, and football adds a few of its own: crowds, alcohol, road closures and the last train home leaving at an awkward time. Before, during and after a date, these are the habits that keep you safe, plus the scams to spot online.
Before you meet
Chat first. There is no prize for meeting early. A few days or weeks of messages helps you get a sense of someone. If they push hard to meet straight away, or to move the conversation off the site immediately, treat that as a warning sign.
Check they are real. A short video call before you meet is a sensible step. Repeated reasons for keeping the camera off deserve a second thought.
Keep personal details back. Your surname, home address, workplace and the exact seat you sit in at the ground can wait until you know someone well.
Tell a friend. Let someone you trust know where you are going, who you are meeting and when you expect to be home. Agree to send them a message at a set time.
Plan your own travel. Get yourself there and back. Do not rely on a date for a lift, especially for a first meeting.
Choosing where to meet
Pick a busy public place you know: a café, a restaurant or a pub on a non-match day. Daytime meetings are easier to leave if things do not click. Avoid anywhere isolated, and avoid going back to someone's home on a first date.
Matchday dates
A match can be a brilliant date, but it is not the easiest place to get to know someone. If you do go to a game together:
- Plan the route home before kick-off. Trains and trams fill up after the final whistle, roads close near grounds and taxis can be scarce. Know your options.
- Agree a meeting point in case you get separated in the crowd. Phone signal near big grounds is often poor.
- Watch the drinking. Pre-match pints have a habit of multiplying. Stay in control and keep your drink in sight.
- Sit or stand where you feel comfortable. A first date does not have to be in the loudest part of the ground. Family areas and quieter stands are perfectly respectable choices.
- Have a plan if it is not working. It is completely fine to leave at half time.
There is a fuller planning guide in first date at a football match.
Scams to watch for
Romance scammers look for people who are open and trusting, and football gives them some easy openings.
Ticket scams. Be very wary of anyone who offers to sell you tickets for a sold-out match, a cup final or an away game through private messages. Buy tickets only direct from the club or through its own resale service. A new match asking you to pay them for tickets before you have met is a red flag.
Money requests. Never send money, gift cards or cryptocurrency to someone you have not met in person, however convincing the story. Stories about stranded travel, medical bills, frozen bank accounts or a "can't-miss" betting tip are well-known warning signs.
Investment and betting pitches. Someone who steers the conversation to betting systems, trading apps or "guaranteed" accumulators is very unlikely to be looking for love.
Moving off the site. Scammers often try to move you to WhatsApp or another app straight away. Take your time.
Polished and in a hurry. Magazine-style photos, talk of love after a few days and a camera that is always "broken" are all reasons for caution.
Blocking and reporting
You can block any profile at any time. Once blocked, that person can no longer contact you through the site. You do not have to explain why.
If someone breaks the rules, report them as well. That includes abusive or threatening messages, requests for money, explicit messages you did not ask for, hate towards any group, and profiles that appear to be fake or underage. Reports help keep the site safe for everyone.
Ticket-sharing and season ticket lending
Football couples often end up sharing tickets, and that is lovely once you know each other. Early on, be careful. Most clubs have rules about who can use a season ticket or a member's booking, and passing tickets around privately can break them. If a new match offers you a seat, check that it is through the club's own ticket exchange or a guest booking. Never hand over your own login, membership number or season ticket card to someone you have only recently met.
Online safety beyond the first date
Safety does not end once you have met. Be thoughtful about what you share on social media in the early weeks, such as live check-ins at the ground or photos that show your street. If a relationship ends badly, change any shared passwords, including for streaming and club accounts. And if someone keeps contacting you after you have said no, keep a record of the messages and report them.
Respecting each other
Football rivalry is part of the fun of dating another supporter. Abuse is not. Banter about someone's club is fine; prejudice about race, religion, sexuality, gender, disability or appearance is not, and neither is pressure of any kind. Respect a no, respect silence and respect boundaries.
Getting help
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. To report a crime that has already happened, call 101. Fraud and online scams in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can be reported to Action Fraud; in Scotland, report them to Police Scotland on 101. If a date has left you feeling unsafe or upset, talking to a friend, a GP or a support service can help. National helplines exist for domestic abuse, sexual violence and image-based abuse, and your local council website lists services in your area.
A short checklist
Before your first date, run through this list:
- I have chatted with this person for a while and, ideally, video called.
- A friend knows where I am going and when I expect to be home.
- We are meeting in a busy public place.
- I have my own way there and back, including after a match.
- I have not shared my address, workplace or financial details.
- I know I can leave at any time.
More help
Our how it works page explains the steps from profile to first date, and our guides include advice on everything from dating a rival fan to profile tips. When you are ready, Signup Here or Sign in.
Alcohol and matchday
Drinking is part of matchday for many fans, but it can cloud judgement. On a date, set yourself a limit before you arrive, alternate with soft drinks and eat something. Never leave a drink unattended in a crowded bar or concourse. If you start to feel unusually unwell or drowsy, tell bar staff or a steward straight away and ask for help.
Trust your instincts
If something feels wrong, it probably is. You owe nobody a second date, a reply or an explanation. Leaving early, blocking a profile or ending a conversation is always your right, and a genuine match will respect that. Tell a friend if a date upset you; talking it through helps.