Local Language, Local Connections
Lliga.cat, a dating platform launched by two young entrepreneurs from Manresa, is gaining momentum among Catalan speakers seeking meaningful connections. Founded by Martí Vila Codina, 20, and Teo Garcia Millet, 19, the app responds to a gap they identified: while online dating is widespread, finding partners in Catalan on major international platforms remains rare. The app positions the Catalan language not as a mere interface option but as the foundation of a shared cultural identity. "Sharing a language also means sharing references, expressions, ways of relating and a sense of humour," the founders said in an interview with MetaData, the online tech publication behind Racó tecnològic.
Verification and Equality in Matching
To join Lliga.cat, users must complete a short B2-level Catalan language test consisting of three simple sentences. The creators describe this as a "declaration of principles" rather than a formal exam, ensuring users can actively engage in the language. Unlike mainstream dating apps, Lliga.cat does not use recommendation algorithms. Once users apply filters such as location or age, profiles appear in random order, giving each user equal visibility. "One of the main advantages of Lliga.cat is that there is no algorithm: profiles are shown randomly and with the same probability," the founders explained.
Diverse User Base and Expansion Plans
According to data provided to MetaData, Lliga.cat is attracting a broad demographic. The largest user group is aged 25 to 34, followed closely by those over 45 and users aged 18 to 24. Weekly sign-ups now reach around 1,000, with the website seeing traffic spikes of over 100,000 visits. The platform currently operates online but plans to expand into in-person events such as outdoor activities and cultural meet-ups. Mobile apps are also set to launch in the coming weeks, featuring updates requested by users. The founders aim to establish Lliga.cat as the leading platform for Catalan-speaking communities across all Catalan-speaking territories, not just as a dating app but as a broader social connection space.
Part of a Broader Trend
Lliga.cat is not the first attempt to create Catalan-language dating spaces. Previous initiatives include Gaudi, a 2023 app targeting the LGTBIQA+ community; CitesPremium.cat, which organises in-person speed-dating events; and GentComTu, an established platform claiming over 146,000 registered users. In 2021, the Twitter-based project TinderCat briefly hosted Catalan-language networking spaces with over 300 participants. These efforts reflect a growing desire to use Catalan in personal and digital contexts. According to the Catalan government’s Directorate General for Language Policy, 72.8% of social media users in Catalonia use Catalan, and 73.3% do so in private messaging apps.
“We don’t want Lliga.cat to be just about matching with a stranger, but a social meeting point for the community,” say the founders.
Privacy and Sustainable Model
The platform keeps phone numbers and Instagram profiles hidden by default, only revealing them when users choose to share. This reflects a focus on safety and personal control. Lliga.cat operates on a freemium model with no advertising. A premium subscription offers extended features, but the founders stress their aim is to keep costs low and avoid monetising user engagement time. "We don’t want to monetise user desperation or flood the screen with invasive ads," they said, describing their vision as a "honest, low-cost and sustainable model." The app’s success so far suggests a demand for digital spaces that prioritise linguistic and cultural connection over algorithmic visibility.
Primary sources: Direcció General de Política Lingüística. Dept. Cultura. Generalitat de Catalunya, bid.ub.edu. Reported by lliga.cat, metadata.cat, Racó Català.
