The hunt for fresh date ideas always seems to be on. Some couples might be looking to try new things together, from pottery to exotic vacations. Others might simply want to save money by avoiding pricey restaurants and clubs. Even more just want to have fun and unwind with their loved ones.
For the average couple, sports doesn’t usually make it into discussions about date night. Usually, only one-half of the couple has a burning interest in sports—and they’re more likely to share this interest with a group of friends instead of their loved one.
Still, that doesn’t mean bridging date night and pro sports isn’t totally out of the question.
In fact, it’s a pretty thrilling and enjoyable ride. Whether or not your partner has any exposure to or interest in the world of pro sports, we’ve got a few ideas to liven up date night in a very sporty way. Let’s dive in.
Explore Prop Bets & Non-Sports Bets
Sports betting is taking off across the US—which means you probably have betting markets and bonus bets available with just a few clicks on your smartphone. The popular bookmakers, which operates in several states, offers welcome bonuses on first deposits among other deals.
While a hardcore fan probably wants to use their free bets to pick an outright winner, most sportsbooks have markets that non-sports fans would bet on.
For example, Super Bowl prop bets are hugely popular. These cover the halftime performance, National Anthem performance, and halftime commercials. Think you know which song will be performed first? Or which brand will be featured first or last in the ads? You can bet on that.
And if sports really aren’t your thing, you can also wager on outcomes at events like the Grammies and Oscars. These are known as non-sports bets and are an increasingly popular part of the betting landscape in North America.
Sample Funky Sports Games
If you’re more of a gamer than an athlete, then there are tons of casual games that you can play in multiplayer mode with your loved one. Depending on what type of gaming setup you have, you’ll have to choose accordingly. We’ve got a few suggestions for you that don’t follow the traditional (and boring) simulation setup.
If you want to really dive into the action, then play Rocket League together. If you want to keep things casual and very goofy, then sample King Ribbit. Or if competitive and hilarious faceoffs sound fun, then find a browser version of NBA Jam, a beloved retro combat-sports game.
For gaming newbies, King Ribbit is by far one of the most accessible sports-adjacent games on the market.
Get Into the Weirdest Fringe Sports
If your partner is a fan of the NBA, NFL, and NHL, then you may not have too much exposure into the world of fringe sports. However, there are dozens of ‘professional’ leagues that stretch the imagination.
One that you may already know of is cheese-rolling at Cooper’s Hill near Gloucester, England. Each year, thousands gather to race a wheel of cheese down a hill.
Aside from cheese-rolling, you and your loved one can watch other athletic spectacles straight from your couch. A few more great choices related to fringe sports are extreme ironing, Calcio Storico, and Kabbadi (or slap Kabbadi, if you’re in the mood).
Dive into the Drama
Lastly, one great way to enjoy sports together is via documentary series. Even those who don’t normally watch sports or follow the latest news in major leagues probably enjoy a well-made documentary or doc series. If that’s the case, then you have hours of time to spend cuddling in front of the screen.
Some of the most well-known series include Netflix’s Drive to Survive and The Last Dance. These focus on the latest drama in Formula One and the rise of the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s, respectively.
Or, if you want to venture into more imaginative and hard-hitting territory, check out Icarus. So far, all three suggestions can be streamed on Netflix.
