Arsenal Football Club have launched a dating show – here's all you need to know

03/31/2025 12:35 PM

In some very unexpected news, Premier League football team Arsenal FC have announced the launch of their very own dating show.

The London club, who originally formed south of the River Thames before moving to the Highbury area, also compete in the Champions League.

In 2022, Arsenal were the subject of an Amazon Prime Video documentary titled All or Nothing: Arsenal, which followed the team during the 2021-22 season.

But fans definitely weren’t expecting the club to move even further into TV, setting up a dating show where Arsenal fans can meet each other at the Emirates Stadium.

It’s not yet known which streaming service will be taking on the upcoming dating show, but it’s sure to generate some interest regardless of whether it’s on Prime Video or Netflix.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What is Arsenal's new dating show called?

Arsenal’s new dating show is going to be called The Big Match – in a nice play on words, as potential dating ‘matches’ will attend football ‘matches’ in order to find their soulmates.

In theory, two single people will meet up and bond over their shared love of football, with some contestants going matches at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium to see if any sparks fly.

Arsenal said in a statement on Monday morning: ‘Matchdays at Emirates Stadium are a time to connect with the beautiful game – and each other.

It's for this reason that we're launching a new dating show that celebrates how a shared love of football can prove a catalyst for an even deeper romance.’

Arsenal fans nickname themselves Gooners – a play on the club’s nickname, Gunners, which is itself a reference to the club’s original formation by employees of an ammunition factory.

The statement continued: ‘We are calling on our single supporters in the UK to apply to be part of the production, which will involve attending a blind date with a fellow Gooner centred around an Arsenal game.’

How do you apply for Arsenal’s dating show?

Arsenal have explained in their statement outlining The Big Match that you can only apply for the dating show if you are single, older than 18, and living legally in the UK.

In the description of the show, they also gave information about the application deadline: ‘The opportunity is open to all UK residents over the age of 18. Applications close on April 11 at 11:59pm (UK time).’

That means all potential contestants have less than two weeks to get their applications in, with filming presumably set to take place during the 2025-26 Premier League season.

Applicants are first asked for their name, date of birth, email address, phone number, the city or town they live in, their gender pronouns, and their sexual orientation.

They are then asked to let Arsenal know about their ethnicity, height, whether they smoke or vape or drink, what they’re looking for in a partner, social media information, and whether they support Arsenal.

Finally, applicants are asked to upload a photo of themselves as TV producers will aim to get as much information as possible while deciding on potential matches.

What have fans said about dating show?

Naturally, being a football club, many have taken the news of Arsenal’s plans to launch a dating show with an element of shock and surprise.

Anthony immediately responded on X, saying, ‘Arsenal are so cringe man,’ while Cal joked, ‘They need something to make up for the lack of trophies,’ referencing Arsenal’s 2nd place finishes in the Premier League in 2023 and 2024.

Joining in with the jibes, Tony said: ‘First Millwall FC launched a mobile network and now Arsenal has launched a blind dating show.’

However, some Arsenal fans declared that they would be signing up for the show, while others encouraged their single Arsenal fan friends to see if they could find love.

@GoonerGirlNYC compared The Big Match to Love Island, calling it ‘Arsenal Love Island,’ before adding that she planned to watch: ‘We will be there.’

Michael supported the show, saying: ‘Arsenal Media PR is doing well. Watch clubs emulate this initiative when they see what Arsenal generates when it finally pulls crowds.’

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