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Love, rivalry and match nights: how sports unite couples
Some couples love watching sports together.
Football brought Karan and Ayushi closer — they met as friends in 2024 and watched many matches together.
Now they plan their schedules around football games.
A doctor named Dr Manasvi says watching sports shows how couples talk and solve problems.
Celebrating wins and feeling nervous during matches helps couples make happy memories.
Priyanka and Akilesh cheer for different teams, and they think that makes things more fun.
Sometimes sports cause arguments — Amitav's partner feels he cares more about matches than her.
He gives her burgers, chocolates, and a stuffed toy to make up.
Experts say listening and understanding each other keeps love strong, even when you support different teams.
Karan Sharma and Ayushi Sancheti, friends since the UEFA Euro in 2024, bonded over football and made it a 'shared language' in their relationship by the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Psychiatrist Dr Manasvi M of Maarga Mind Care, Bengaluru, says watching sports reveals how couples communicate, handle differences, and support each other.
Priyanka Bhosale and Akilesh Subramanian support different clubs and say the rivalry makes their relationship 'even more fun and competitive.'
Amitav Sethi placates his partner on match days with two burgers every two days, chocolates, and a stuffed toy.
Rajlakshmi Ghosh Dastidar, who grew up around the East Bengal-Mohun Bagan rivalry, says knowledge of local football impresses her when considering potential dates.
- Who
- Couples including Karan Sharma and Ayushi Sancheti, Priyanka Bhosale and Akilesh Subramanian, Amitav Sethi, Rajlakshmi Ghosh Dastidar, and Bengaluru psychiatrist Dr Manasvi M.
- What
- A report on how watching and playing sports together strengthens couple relationships, creating shared rituals, rivalry, and a 'shared language,' while also revealing how partners handle differences.
- Where
- India — specifically Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Pune.
- When
- Covering experiences tied to the UEFA Euro in 2024, through the FIFA World Cup 2026, and the pickleball craze.
- Why
- Shared sports interest helps couples build memories, rituals, and conversations, while mismatched reactions can cause conflict if partners do not feel understood.
Sports as relationship glue
Sports as relationship stressor
Sharing versus not sharing the sports passion
Sports as relationship glue
Couples like Ayushi and Karan see sports as a shared language that deepens their bond and fills their chats with memes, debates, and shared rituals.
Sports as relationship stressor
Amitav Sethi's partner feels neglected on match days, telling him he has no time for her, showing that mismatched sports passion can create friction.
Supporting different teams
Sports as relationship glue
Priyanka and Akilesh support different clubs and believe the rivalry makes the relationship 'even more fun and competitive.'
Sports as relationship stressor
Dr Manasvi warns that if a partner dismisses or mocks the other's attachment to a team, even jokingly, it can feel more personal than intended and cause hurt.
Key facts
- Main topic
- How watching and playing sports brings couples together
- Expert quoted
- Dr Manasvi M, Consultant Adult Psychiatrist, Maarga Mind Care, Bengaluru
- Sports featured
- Football (soccer) and pickleball
- Key competitions
- UEFA Euro 2024, FIFA World Cup 2026, Champions League
- Locations
- Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune (India)
- Featured couples
- Karan Sharma & Ayushi Sancheti; Priyanka Bhosale & Akilesh Subramanian
- Ayushi Sancheti's role
- Head of brand marketing and associations, Kommunity PR
- Karan Sharma's role
- Cinematographer and founder of The Bigger Picture
Quotes
Ayushi Sancheti
Partner of Karan Sharma, mentions how football evolved into a shared language in their relationship
“"At this point, football isn’t just a sport in our relationship; it’s becoming a shared language."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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