Is love really blind? Since 2020, couples around the world have been trying to prove as much – mostly unsuccessfully – in Netflix's hugely popular reality show Love is Blind. Following its debut, set in the US, the show has spawned eight international versions, including Love is Blind: Habibi, the Arabic spin-off that had its premiere in October last year.
The format is similar across all. A group of single men and women looking for love are introduced to each other through “pods”, where they can interact but not see the other person. Once participants have chosen their prospective partners, the couple meet for the first time and become engaged. They are then flown to a luxury resort where they spend time and get to know each other better. In the final stage of the experiment, the couples who are still together go back to their respective lives where they meet each other's families and friends, and are given 10 days to prepare for their wedding.
From Brazil to the UK and Japan, each edition of Love is Blind has proved to be a hit, turning some of its cast members into overnight celebrities. Love is Blind: Habibi, for instance, was viewed more than 1.3 million times in the first seven days after its debut. It also ranked No 8 globally among Netflix's non-English shows.
With Love is Blind: France coming later this year and Love is Blind: Italy also announced, here are all the international editions so far ranked by fan ratings on IMDb.
Watch out for spoilers from reunion episodes
9. Love is Blind: Habibi
Number of seasons: 1
IMDb rating: 5.4/10
Viewership in first week: 1.3 million (season one)
Hosts: Khaled Saqer and Elham Ali
The Arabic-speaking version of Love is Blind became a massive hit, dominating social media chats and debates for weeks after its premiere in October. Featuring 20 singles – 10 women and 10 men – from across the Arab world and North Africa who are all residents of the UAE, the series was filmed in Lebanon, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Six couples progressed to the next stage and were flown to a luxury resort in Lebanon, where their relationship was further tested. Eventually, out of two couples who made it to the wedding day, only one – Safa and Mohammed – exchanged vows.
Speaking to The National a few weeks after their debut, cast members shared how their lives had changed thanks to the popularity of the show.
“This experience didn’t just transform me, it shaped me into a person I never imagined I could be,” Mohammed said. “It opened up a whole new world and revealed aspects of myself I hadn’t recognised before. Beyond discovering ‘the one’, I found myself.”
8. Love is Blind: Germany
Number of seasons: 1
IMDb rating: 5.4/10
Viewership in first week: 1.3 million (season one)
Hosts: Steffi and Chris Wackert-Brungs
Hosted by German TV presenter Stephanie “Steffi” Brungs and her husband, the show had its premiere in January with 30 singles. Only one couple, Alina and Ilias, have remained married, however.
7. Love is Blind: Mexico
Number of seasons: 1
IMDb rating: 5.5/10
Viewership in first week: 1.2 million (season one)
Hosts: Omar and Lucy Chaparro
One of the most dramatic editions, Love is Blind: Mexico debuted in August last year. Of the nine women and nine men taking part, six couples made it to the next stage and only one couple, Karen and Fernando, made it to the altar. At the reunion episode, which aired three weeks later, the couple confirmed they were still together and had even started a business.
6. Love is Blind: Argentina
Number of seasons: 1
IMDb rating: 5.6/10
Viewership in first week: Data unavailable
Hosts: Dario Barassi and Wanda Nara
Launching in November last year, Love is Blind: Argentina saw two couples get married. In a break from format, Florencia Fernandez and Jose Luis Farina, who did not get engaged during the pods segment, returned to the show as a couple during the honeymoon phase.
They are also the couple who have managed to stay married, a fact revealed in the reunion episode.
5. Love is Blind: Brazil
Number of seasons: 4
IMDb rating: 6.2/10
Viewership in first week: 2.1 million (season four)
Hosts: Camila Queiroz and Klebber Toledo
The first country to get its own version, Love is Blind: Brazil debuted in October 2021, with production for season five in progress.
Hosted by celebrity couple Camila Queiroz and Klebber Toledo, this spin-off is as dramatic as reality shows can get. In season one, for example, there was a massive twist in the fairy tale: Nanda – who originally chose Thiago over Mackdavid – revealed in the reunion episode that she and Thiago had separated and that she had got back with Mackdavid. Nanda and Mackdavid welcomed a baby named Ben in 2022.
4. Love is Blind: USA
Number of seasons: 8
IMDb rating: 6.2/10
Viewership in first week: 5 million (season eight)
Hosts: Nick and Vanessa Lachey
The OG show, there have been eight seasons of this version hosted by celebrity couple Nick and Vanessa Lachey. In season eight, released in March, five couples were featured, out of which only one – Taylor Haag and Daniel Hastings – got hitched. The couple married in March 2024.
The show has won the Critics' Choice Real TV Awards, which recognise achievements in non-scripted shows, three times – in 2020, 2022 and 2023. It has been renewed for its ninth and tenth seasons, with two seasons typically released each year.
3. Love is Blind: Sweden
Number of seasons: 2
IMDb rating: 6.5/10
Viewership in first week: 1.7 million (season one)
Host: Jessica Almenas
Sweden's version premiered in January last year, with five couples moving to the next stage of the relationship. Three couples celebrated their wedding, out of which Krisse-Ly and Rasmus recently revealed the former is pregnant. Amanda and Sergio also announced they were expecting their first child, a boy named Ralph, who was born in May last year.
The second season, which had its debut in March, featured three couples eventually exchanging vows. One duo, Karin and Niklas, announced they were expecting their first child in the reunion episode.
2. Love is Blind: UK
Number of seasons: 2
IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Viewership in first week: 3.6 million (season one) and 2.6 million (season two)
Hosts: Matt and Emma Willis
Matt Willis, co-founder of English pop-punk band Busted, hosts this show with his wife, broadcaster Emma Willis. Debuting on August 7 last year, the show featured seven couples who found their prospective partners. Out of these, three made it to the altar.
In the reunion episode, it's revealed that Steven and Sabrina have called it quits after saying “I do”, leaving just two couples who successfully found love – Benaiah and Nicole, and Bobby and Jasmine.
Season two debuted on August 13 with five couples moving on to the next stage. While this season received lower buzz and viewership than the first, the UK version of the reality show is still one of the most popular globally.
Six couples met their match, but three make it to the altar – Billy and Ashleigh, Kieran and Megan and Kal and Sarover. More drama is likely to ensure when the reunion episode airs on August 31.
1. Love is Blind: Japan
Number of seasons: 1
IMDb rating: 7.0/10
Viewership in first week: Data unavailable
Hosts: Takashi Fujii and Yuka Itaya
The second country to get a spin-off after Brazil, Love is Blind: Japan had its premiere in February 2022 and featured eight couples who found their potential true loves. Six couples separated before their wedding day, leaving Wataru Mizote and Midori, as well as fan-favourites Ryotaro and Motomi, to get hitched. The couples are still married with both pairs now becoming parents.
A second season was announced in March, but was later cancelled.
A version of this story was first published in March 2025
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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RESULTS
5pm: Maiden | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
Winner: AF Makerah, Adrie de Vries, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap | Dh80,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Hazeme, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Handicap | Dh85,000 | 2,200m
Winner: AF Yatroq, Brett Doyle, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Shadwell Farm for Private Owners Handicap | Dh70,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Nawwaf KB, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh100,000 | 1,600m
Winner: Treasured Times, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile of MoneyFellows
Founder: Ahmed Wadi
Launched: 2016
Employees: 76
Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)
Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
World Cup warm-up fixtures
Friday, May 24:
- Pakistan v Afghanistan (Bristol)
- Sri Lanka v South Africa (Cardiff)
Saturday, May 25
- England v Australia (Southampton)
- India v New Zealand (The Oval, London)
Sunday, May 26
- South Africa v West Indies (Bristol)
- Pakistan v Bangladesh (Cardiff)
Monday, May 27
- Australia v Sri Lanka (Southampton)
- England v Afghanistan (The Oval, London)
Tuesday, May 28
- West Indies v New Zealand (Bristol)
- Bangladesh v India (Cardiff)
THE%20SPECS
%3Cp%3EBattery%3A%2060kW%20lithium-ion%20phosphate%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20Up%20to%20201bhp%3Cbr%3E0%20to%20100kph%3A%207.3%20seconds%3Cbr%3ERange%3A%20418km%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh149%2C900%3Cbr%3EAvailable%3A%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Champion%20v%20Champion%20(PFL%20v%20Bellator)
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The%20new%20Turing%20Test
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MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday Benevento v Atalanta (2pm), Genoa v Bologna (5pm), AC Milan v Torino (7.45pm)
Sunday Roma v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Udinese v Napoli, Hellas Verona v Crotone, Parma v Lazio (2pm), Fiorentina v Cagliari (9pm), Juventus v Sassuolo (11.45pm)
Monday Spezia v Sampdoria (11.45pm)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
