Listen to this article:Visiting a bingo club can be a life-changing experience, and not just because there is the chance of winning a huge jackpot. Mecca Bingo has just launched a Bingo Wingman service to help singles meet in person this summer.
The idea is straightforward. Specially trained team members will be on hand at selected Mecca Bingo clubs to help players break the ice, start conversations, and feel more confident when speaking to someone new.
The service is available every Thursday throughout June at selected clubs, including Mecca Bingo Wakefield. Impressively, anyone who uses the service can also claim a free plate of chicken wings to share on their date!
The Bingo Wingman service comes after recent research commissioned by Mecca Bingo found that 83% of single Brits want to meet someone naturally this summer rather than through an online dating app. However, 60% said they lack the confidence to speak to someone new in person.
The Bingo Wingman service has come at a time when many singles are growing tired of dating apps and more traditional date services.
According to the research, one in six singles has not been on a date with someone they first met in real life in the last two years. More than half would rather meet someone naturally in person than rely on dating apps or social media, while 37% said they are bored with traditional dates such as drinks or dinner.
Therefore, it is entirely unsurprising that Mecca thinks bingo could work as an alternative. A bingo hall gives people something to do, which can take some of the pressure off a first meeting, and it has a naturally social atmosphere.
Dating coach Cici Coleman, who helped train Mecca’s wingmen, explained:
“In a world where so much communication now happens behind a screen, it’s no surprise that approaching someone in real life can feel more daunting than ever. That’s why more singles are craving organic moments where they can meet naturally and feel genuine chemistry straight away. Shared activities like bingo help take the pressure off traditional dates by creating fun, relaxed moments people can bond over naturally. And for anyone needing an extra confidence boost, my newly trained Mecca Bingo Wingmen are now equipped with all the right tools to help break the ice and make those first interactions feel easier.”
The Mecca Bingo Wingman service is designed to be subtle rather than turn the evening into a formal dating event.
The specially trained wingmen have been taught how to spot body language cues, identify players who may need a little encouragement, and suggest simple conversation starters. The basic idea is to make the first move feel a little less awkward.
The research suggests that this could be a much in-demand service. Fear of rejection was named as the biggest barrier to starting a conversation in person, with 53% saying it had held them back. Another 37% said they overthink how they will come across, while 33% said they simply do not know how to start a conversation.
Sarah O’Neill, director of innovation at Mecca Bingo, said:
“Our research shows that singletons are increasingly seeking out more experience-led ways to date. But with many lacking the confidence to put themselves out there, we wanted to offer a fun, subtle helping hand to give them the confidence to make that first move. Our clubs have always been social spaces at heart – places where people come together to enjoy good food, entertainment and shared moments.”
The new Bingo Wingman service also fits with Mecca Bingo’s effort to make bingo a fun and affordable night out for all, rather than only a game for regular players.
Activity-based dates have become more popular, with 26% of singles in Mecca’s research saying they now prefer them. Meanwhile, 74% said summer is the ideal season to find romance, and 83% said it is the perfect time to expand their social circle.
Of course, there is no guarantee that anyone will find love over a bingo card and a plate of chicken wings, but it certainly can’t hurt to try.
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