2026 Dating & Sex Trends, According To Experts
As we look ahead to 2026, one thing is clear: sex, dating, and intimacy are changing faster than ever, thanks to technology and cultural shifts that have people craving authenticity (and novelty) more than ever. In terms of dating & sex trends of 2026, AI is leading the charge in relationships and dating — people aren’t just turning to these advanced chatbots for advice, but they’re actually forming romantic connections with AI itself in a way we’ve never seen before. From sexual wellness entering the mainstream to environmentally sustainable products that minimize carbon footprint, here are our 2026 trends predictions according to insight from our industry experts.
A return to intention and IRL connection
Gigi Engle, award-winning Author and Sex Educator, predicts a year of IRL connection and a return to connection after endless years of swipe culture and low-stakes digital flirtation.
According to Engle, daters are prioritizing intention-first communication, setting clear terms early, and building consent-focused connections. She also firmly believes that intentional dating will enter the chat, commenting, “People are seeking repeated, real-world encounters to assess chemistry beyond swiping.”
Finally, Engle predicts that toy acceptance will increase in 2026 and pleasure products will finally be viewed as part of everyday wellness routines, with smarter, app-connected devices gaining popularity.
Pressure-free intimacy and redefined desire
Natasha Silverman, Psychosexual & Relationship Therapist and Educator for Sextoys.co.uk, predicts that we’ll see a boost in pressure-free intimacy. People with vulvas often feel pressure to have sex and perform, but Natasha says that dating & sex trends of 2026 will be all about reclaiming desire and setting boundaries, focusing on authentic, mindful pleasure.
Silverman also says that more couples will approach managing mismatched libidos with skill, adding, “Couples are approaching intimacy proactively, using therapy, coaching, and education rather than shame.” And finally, we’ll be seeing pleasure increasingly seen as part of everyday wellbeing and self-care, not just a “spicy extra.”
Embodied pleasure
Courney Boyer, a Clinical Sex & Relationship Expert, Author & Speaker, predicts a deeper focus on embodiment in dating & sex trends of 2026, telling us, “Deep intimacy comes from being aligned with oneself—emotional, physical, and mental harmony enhances desire and connection.”
According to Boyer, intimacy flourishes when people feel more in tuned with all aspects of themselves, and this trend also aligns with broader wellness movements emphasizing nervous-system regulation and mind-body awareness
Sex parties and pleasure travel
Ally Iseman, a leading Non-monogamy educator, erotic lifestyle consultant, and relationship architect, explains that couples are curious and exploring new ways to connect outside the bedroom, and sex travel and parties are playing a major role in that.
Sexual wellness is entering the travel sector as a way for sexual curiosity to expand past the bedroom and a creative way to connect outside of daily routine as one of the top dating & sex trends of 2026. We’ll be seeing more expert-led intimacy programs and workshops, opening a whole new world of possibilities for the sexual wellness industry.
AI & digital intimacy, adult sex ed (and a rise in kink curiosity), sustainable products, and a broader definition of sexuality.
Sex Educator, CEO & Founder at COTR (b-Vibe, Le Wand™ and The Cowgirl), Alicia Sinclair Rosen, predicts that AI & digital intimacy will skyrocket in 2026, adding that AI companies and smart sex toys will finally go mainstream as one of the dating & sex trends of 2026, acting as tools that facilitate safe exploration and long-distance connection.
However, Sinclair Rosen also warns of a growing sexual recession” driven by social-skill atrophy, saying, “There’s demand for education around real-world intimacy skills.” As a result, we’ll be seeing more adult sex ed offerings from experts, and as more people experiment with BDSM, roleplay, and sex toys, education around kinky curiosity and exploration will be a major part of that.
The COTR founder also states that conscious consumption is extending into sexual wellness, with more shoppers expecting body-safe, sustainable products as the standard. Finally, she believes that the very definition of sexuality will be expanded, the focus is shifting to erotic self-connection, pelvic health, and broader sexual wellbeing.
Immersive tech and tension between technological intimacy and authentic human connection
Tim Lagman, Resident Sex Educator for pjur and host of the podcast ‘Sex Ed With Tim’ shares, “2026 will be defined by the tension between technological intimacy and authentic human connection. Across all trends, permission and education are key; people want to explore safely, mindfully, and openly.”
Lagman also tells us to expect growth in AI chatbots, erotic VR, teledildonics, and ethical porn debates as one of the dating & sex trends of 2026, along with more sophisticated immersive sex tech experiences.
Sex tech will borrow from gaming culture
Looking even further ahead, Toon Timmermans, CEO of Kiiroo & Luxus, predicts sex tech will borrow heavily from gaming culture. Timmermans tells us, re. Pleasure will become more immersive, interactive, and achievement-driven — especially for men who want experiences that feel real rather than purely visual.”
He adds, “collaborations with gaming and virtual worlds will blur the line between play and intimacy, with sex tech evolving into something closer to a living environment than a standalone device. The next big shift isn’t just realism, it’s agency: users want to explore, unlock, and truly participate in their pleasure.”
A return to in-person energy and chemistry
Jacqui Rubinoff, Vice President of Eye of Love, certified Love Coach and Relationship Expert, agrees with expert Gigi Engle, saying that there will be a growing demand for in-person chemistry after years of relying on apps and chemistry.
Rubinoff comments, “People are craving real-life sparks again, how someone feels in the room, not just how they look on a screen.
There’s going to be more emphasis on presence, confidence, and sensory connection, things you can’t fake online. Dating will feel more intuitive, less scripted, and more about how someone makes you feel in the moment.”
