Social events startup Thursday has officially launched its operations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, beginning with Dubai. The dating-focused platform is kicking off its first event in the city in two weeks and has already sold over 110 of the initial 150 tickets, prompting organizers to increase capacity.
Thursday’s model contrasts with traditional dating apps by emphasizing real-world meetups rather than digital-only interactions. With Dubai’s large single population and growing appetite for curated social experiences, the region offers fertile ground for this offline-first approach to dating and community-building.
The company plans to follow up the Dubai debut with launches in Abu Dhabi, Marrakech, and Casablanca. The local team is now based in Dubai to spearhead the regional rollout and is working in collaboration with partners such as Solutions Group, as well as a network of venue, hospitality, and fitness providers.
Thursday’s expansion strategy focuses on scaling in-person events for singles. The brand is aiming to reach 20,000 monthly attendees across the MENA region by the end of 2025. Events will span from casual social gatherings like bar takeovers to more active formats including gym classes, run clubs, and boat parties – all centered on fostering in-person connection. The MENA expansion will also serve as a test case for Thursday’s broader city-by-city growth model.
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