By some measures, people today report far higher loneliness and fewer close friendships than a generation ago. In the early 1990s, only about 27% of Americans had fewer than three close confidants, whereas around 50% do now. Likewise, over half of Americans today say they feel significantly lonely, a rate higher than obesity or diabetes. This is striking given our hyper-connected digital lives. Modern technology means we’re always online with others, yet many of us feel more isolated than ever before. How can this be? 

In part, digital life has changed how we connect as we may spend more time scrolling than socializing. But humans are nothing if not adaptable. If you’re struggling to find a network, take heart: many people are finding community in new, unexpected ways. From gaming tournaments to solo travel and fitness classes, here’s where your friends might actually be hanging out.

Gaming communities thrive around tournaments and meetups

Online and offline gaming communities have exploded, turning what used to be solo play into social gatherings. Poker fans, for instance, regularly converge on forums, tournaments, and meetups, bonding over the thrill of the game and the battle of wits. In fact, poker online platforms have added features like real-time chat and community tournaments precisely to foster this sense of togetherness. These tools have transformed poker from a lone card game into a shared experience: players chat during hands, swap tips, and celebrate each other’s big wins, just as they would around a casino table. 

Live poker tournaments and local meetups are equally powerful social magnets. It’s no surprise that many leave such events not only with winnings, but with new friends. A championship series can be “the best…for camaraderie”, bringing together poker buddies from afar, and players often say making new friends and reuniting with old ones is the highlight of these gatherings. Even smaller-scale, regular poker nights create a tight-knit circle; a weekly home game with neighbors or colleagues can become a cherished social ritual.

Deep Dive: How strategic games bond people

Interestingly, the very strategic thinking that poker demands may help build social bonds. Strategy games involve reading opponents, adapting to others’ moves, and even a bit of friendly mind-reading. Psychology blogs note that playing “mind games” encourages communication, observation, and understanding of fellow players, often leading to stronger connections and camaraderie in gaming communities . 

In poker, for example, learning to interpret someone’s “tell” (their unconscious habits) or discussing a clever bluff after a hand creates a sense of mutual respect and insight between players. The shared intellectual challenge forges a unique peer bond. It’s no wonder nearly half of gamers have made close friends (or even met their spouse) through gaming,  whether around a poker table or in a virtual world, these communities give people a chance to connect over a common strategic passion.

It starts as solo traveling, but may not stay solo

Traveling alone might sound lonely at first, but for millions it’s actually a gateway to new friendships. Solo travel is booming, especially in places like Australia, where it’s become a mainstream trend rather than a niche. Research indicates that about half of Australians (48%) are planning a solo adventure in the next two years, with another 25% “hoping” to take one soon after. That means roughly three in four Aussies are open to traveling on their own, a remarkable cultural shift. (For comparison, a UK survey found only 15% traveled alone as of a few years ago, highlighting how rapidly solo travel has grown worldwide.) And it’s not just gap-year backpackers: older adults are joining the trend too. Nearly 48% of Australians over 65 are keen to mark retirement with a solo trip, and even 26% of mid-life adults (45–54) are seeking an “adventure for one” to refresh themselves. Clearly, solo travel appeals across ages as a path to personal fulfillment.

So, why are so many people hitting the road alone? Paradoxically, social connection is a big reason (another one could be the work-related trip). Surveys show that solo travelers aren’t doing it because they have no one to go with – in fact, only a minority cite “lack of a travel partner” as a primary motive. Instead, many solo adventurers are motivated by freedom and the opportunity to meet new people. A global survey of solo female travelers found that 85% of Gen Z respondents travel solo specifically to meet people, compared to 73% across all ages. As one traveler put it in the same source, although people assume you’re solo because you couldn’t find a companion, in reality “many of us choose to travel solo because we love it, not because we’re lacking something”. 

Do you go to the gym for a workout? Many have another reason

Surveys of Gen Z (18–24) in 2024 showed high social engagement around fitness. Many young people use the gym to make or maintain friendships.

This trend isn’t limited to Gen Z. Another poll (courtesy of a Zumba fitness survey) reported that eight in ten adults admit one of their main reasons for going to the gym is to socialize. Half of people said they actually use their gym sessions “as an excuse to hang out with mates,” finding solo workouts too boring. And 60% say exercising with others makes it more fun, which is not a surprise, since a gym buddy can turn hard training into a hangout. From group exercise classes like Zumba or CrossFit, to running clubs and yoga workshops, fitness activities naturally bring people together. 

Top Countries by Percentage of Population Who Are Gym Members. Illustration created by us. Data by: Gymmaster

Beyond the gym floor, digital fitness communities amplify the social aspect. Fitness influencers and programs often cultivate devoted online followings that feel like teams. For example, Australian trainer Kayla Itsines famously built a global community of millions with her Bikini Body Guides, where women worldwide would share their progress, encourage each other on Instagram, and even meet up for stadium workout events. Men influencers are active too, sometimes sharing their workout routines, sometimes posting gym shots just for fun.