Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you are joining us at an event or meeting people online, here is how CitySwoon works.

CitySwoon Events

CitySwoon Online Dating

Account and Privacy

How do in-person CitySwoon events work?

Purchase a ticket, complete your CitySwoon profile and arrive in time to check in on your smartphone. Once the event begins, CitySwoon will guide you to a series of short dates with people selected for you from the guests who are there.

After each date, you give private feedback. This helps CitySwoon tailor the introductions still to come. Your results will be available after the event, and you can message your mutual matches through CitySwoon.

For more detail and a video of an event, see how an in-person event works.

How do virtual CitySwoon events work?

Purchase a ticket and sign in around 10 minutes before the event so you can check your camera and sound. Your hosts will welcome everyone and CitySwoon will connect you to a series of short video dates with people in your area.

You give feedback in the same way as at an in-person event and can message your mutual matches afterwards. For more detail, see how a virtual event works.

How are CitySwoon events different from traditional speed dating?

Traditional speed dating usually moves everyone through a fixed rotation. At CitySwoon, the people at the event are matched live for each round, so your dates are selected from the compatible guests who are actually there.

Our in-person events also take place in hand-picked bars and venues, with your phone quietly guiding you from one date to the next. There is no need to stay in one seat all evening, and there is usually time to mingle after the matched dates finish.

How does the matching work?

CitySwoon considers your profile, preferences, personality, values and interests when selecting your dates. Feedback from your previous CitySwoon dates also helps the system learn what matters to you and improve future introductions.

The technology is there to introduce you to people with genuine potential. Chemistry is personal, so the final choice is always yours.

How many dates will I have?

Most guests have around six to eight matched dates. The exact number can vary depending on attendance and the mix of compatible people at that event.

What if I like someone at an event but do not get to date them?

Go and say hello if you get the chance. The matched dates are the heart of the event, but the relaxed mingling time is also a great opportunity to meet other guests.

You can also find other attendees through CitySwoon after the event, although introducing yourself on the night gives them a much better chance of remembering you.

Will I date the same people again?

CitySwoon keeps track of the people you have already dated through an event and will not normally match you with the same person for another event date. Your event history also helps CitySwoon avoid presenting someone you have already met as a brand-new online introduction.

Are there age or ID requirements?

Please book an event whose advertised age range includes you. Guests attend expecting to meet people within that range, and our hosts or the venue may ask for photo ID. If you are just outside the stated range, please contact us before purchasing a ticket.

Do I need to bring a printed ticket?

No. Make sure your CitySwoon profile is complete, then sign in on your smartphone when you arrive and tap the check-in button. Your phone will guide you through the event.

I have not received my event confirmation email. What should I do?

Check your spam or junk folder and make sure you are looking at the email account connected to your CitySwoon profile. If you find our email there, mark CitySwoon as a trusted sender so you receive any event updates. If it is still missing, please contact us.

What should I bring to the event?

Bring your smartphone with enough battery for the evening, along with any identification required by the venue. It is also a good idea to arrive with enough time to check in before the event starts.

What if I can no longer attend?

Event tickets are non-refundable for change of mind or non-attendance, except where applicable law gives you a right to a refund or another remedy. If you contact our Customer Service team in writing at least seven days before the event, we may be able to offer credit for another eligible event, subject to availability and our terms. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

Can I update my profile?

Yes. Sign in, go to your account and select the part of your profile you would like to update. Keeping your details and preferences current helps CitySwoon make more relevant introductions.

How long do events run?

Times vary, so please check your event listing and confirmation email. The matched dating portion usually runs for around two to two and a half hours, and many guests stay afterwards to mingle.

CitySwoon Online Dating FAQ

How does CitySwoon online dating work?

CitySwoon shows you a smaller group of profiles selected for you. Open each profile and choose a positive reaction—Like, Smile, Laugh, Thumbs Up or Super Swoon—or tap the cross if you would prefer to pass.

You also have a Likes area where you can work through people who have already expressed interest in you. When the interest is mutual, you can start a conversation and decide whether you would like to meet.

How does CitySwoon choose the profiles I see?

Recommendations are based on your profile and dating preferences, together with what CitySwoon learns from your interactions. Insights from feedback given after real-life CitySwoon dates also help the system understand the kinds of introductions that are more likely to lead to a genuine connection.

Do my event and online activity work together?

Yes. CitySwoon keeps track of people you have already met or connected with so they are not treated as brand-new introductions. Feedback from your event dates can also help improve the profiles selected for you online, and your activity across CitySwoon helps make future recommendations more relevant.

What do Like, Smile, Laugh, Thumbs Up and Super Swoon mean?

They are different ways to show positive interest. A Like is a simple way to say you are interested. A Smile, Laugh or Thumbs Up lets you respond naturally to something in a person's photo or profile answer. A Super Swoon says that they have especially caught your attention.

Whichever you choose, the person will know you are interested. Choose the reaction that feels most natural to you.

Can I send a message with a reaction?

Yes. Tap the photo or profile answer you want to react to, choose your reaction and add an optional message. Mentioning something specific from their profile is often the easiest way to start a genuine conversation.

What happens after I react to someone?

Your reaction is added to their Likes area. They can look through your profile and decide whether they would like to connect. If they accept your interest, you can start messaging each other through CitySwoon.

How do I respond to people who have liked me?

Paid members can open the Likes area and work through the people who have reacted to them, one profile at a time. If you would like to connect with someone, tap the chat button to accept their interest and open a conversation. If they are not right for you, tap the cross to pass. They will not be notified that you passed.

When can we start messaging?

Messaging opens when the interest is mutual: either they accept a reaction you sent, or you accept theirs from your Likes area. Until then, your reaction and any short message attached to it are simply an invitation to connect.

What happens if I reject a profile?

Tapping the cross privately passes on that profile and moves you to the next person. They are not told that you rejected them. If you are a paid member and change your mind straight away, you can use rewind to return to the previous profile.

Why do I only see a smaller group of profiles?

CitySwoon presents profiles in smaller, thoughtfully selected groups instead of an endless feed. This gives you a better chance to consider each person properly rather than slipping into automatic swiping. New profiles appear over time, so reaching the end of a group does not mean you have run out of people to meet.

Can I change who I see?

Yes. Open your filters to update the age range, distance and other preferences that matter to you. Very narrow filters may mean that fewer profiles are available, so widening them can introduce you to more people.

Can I go back to a previous profile?

Paid members can use rewind to return to the previous profile and can revisit recently viewed profiles. This is useful if you passed too quickly or want another look before deciding.

What does a paid membership include?

Membership gives you the full CitySwoon online dating experience. Current benefits include:

Seeing the people who have liked you.
Unlimited Likes.
Five Super Swoons each week.
Rewind and access to recently viewed profiles.
Sorting your matches.
Having your profile shown more often.
Video chat.
Savings on CitySwoon events.

The membership page will show the current inclusions and price before you subscribe.

Where can I manage or cancel my membership?

Sign in, go to Edit Your Account and select Your subscription near the bottom of the page. You can view and manage your subscription there. When you cancel a subscription, it stops renewing but your dating profile is not automatically hidden.

How do I take a break from online dating?

Go to Edit Your Account, open Settings and change your profile visibility. This lets you stop appearing to people online without closing your CitySwoon account. Changing your visibility does not cancel an active paid membership.

How do I block or report someone?

To report a profile, open the menu on their profile and select Report a concern. You can include details and choose to hide the person from your view. Reports are private, and the person will not be told who submitted the report.

If someone has messaged you and you no longer want contact, use the block option in your messages. If you ever feel in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services.

Account and Privacy

How can I close my account?

Sign in, go to Edit Your Account and follow the account closure link near the bottom of the page. If you only want a break, you can make your profile invisible instead.

How can I remove a stored card?

You can manage your stored payment details from your account page.

Do you share my phone number or email address?

No. Other members can contact you through CitySwoon without seeing your phone number or email address. Only share personal contact details when you feel comfortable doing so.