Singles Ditch Dating Apps for Medieval Times Flirtation

Frustrated with modern dating, singles are finding romance at the family-friendly dinner theater show.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Fed up with the frustrations of dating apps, singles are ditching swipes and screenshots and heading to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament to flirt with the knights. Between sword fights, rose tosses, and being crowned 'Queen of the Tournament,' the kitschy dinner show is providing a surprising medieval dating escape for hopeful romantics.

Why it matters

The trend highlights a growing disillusionment with modern dating and a desire for more genuine, embodied forms of courtship. As dating apps continue to disappoint, some singles are turning to the fantasy and chivalry of Medieval Times as a fun alternative that taps into childhood fairytale dreams.

The details

At Medieval Times, flirty knights lock eyes with swooning women, toss roses into the crowd, and crown lucky spectators the 'Queen of the Tournament.' This has sparked a wave of pilgrimages to the 10 castle locations across North America, with social media flooded with clips of women melting over the armored Casanovas. For some, it's ironic fun, while for others it's a chivalry-fueled dopamine hit in a dating world that feels colder by the swipe.

  • Medieval Times has entertained over 72 million guests since opening its first North American castle in Florida in 1983.

The players

Medieval Times

A family-friendly dinner theater show featuring jousting, sword fights, and falconry, with over 10 castle locations across North America.

Brittany Broski

An internet star who gushed about 'flirting with the knights at Medieval Times' on her popular podcast 'The Broski Report,' sparking a wave of pilgrimages to the castles.

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What they’re saying

“I was born and raised on Disney movies — young girls were promised knights in shining armor. Now we've grown up and have men on dating apps who can't even plan a date after texting for two weeks. That's hell on Earth.”

— Madison Rae, 28-year-old from Fort Myers, Florida (The Post)

“Watching men joust, fight and ride horses makes them hotter. Dating apps made seeing an attractive face normal. If guys really want to stand out? I think men should wear more armor.”

— Madison Rae, 28-year-old from Fort Myers, Florida (The Post)

What’s next

Medieval Times has not announced any specific future events or plans, but the popularity of the medieval dating trend is likely to continue as singles seek alternatives to disappointing dating app experiences.

The takeaway

The rise of singles flocking to Medieval Times for romance highlights a growing desire for more genuine, embodied forms of courtship in an age of digital dating fatigue. The fantasy and chivalry of the dinner theater show taps into childhood fairytale dreams, providing a fun escape from the low-effort interactions of modern dating apps.