Taylor Swift an Travis Kelce. Courtesy of Chariah Gordon/Instagram
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are all anyone can talk about.
Swift and Kelce were first linked in July 2023 when the Kansas City Chiefs tight end shared he attempted to ask Swift out after attending her Eras Tour.
“I was a little butthurt I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her,” Travis said on an episode of the “New Heights” podcast, which he cohosts with brother Jason Kelce. Because Swift does not do meet and greets “before or after the show,” he was unable to hand her “[a bracelet] with my [phone] number on it.”
Swift later showed her interest in Travis by accepting an invite to a Chiefs vs. Chicago Bears game in September 2023. According to Kelce, the duo were connected well before that NFL game, thanks to a mysterious person in Swift’s camp.
“There were definitely people she knew that knew who I was, in her corner [who said], ‘Yo! Did you know he was coming?’ I had somebody playing Cupid,” Travis told WSJ. Magazine in November 2023. “She [later] told me exactly what was going on and how I got lucky enough to get her to reach out.”
By October 2023, things were heating up between the pair on a more public level.
“They’re really happy. They’re not saying they’re in love yet. But it’s obvious to her friends they’re heading in that direction,” a source told Us Weekly at the time. “Friends think they’re in love.”
Keep scrolling to see how Swift and Travis’ relationship has developed:
July 2023
Travis attended Swift’s Eras Tour at her Kansas City stop in Missouri.
July 26, 2023
Later that month, Travis opened up about how much he enjoyed her concert on an episode of the “New Heights” podcast. “It was an unbelievable show. Kansas City showed out … Everybody was dressed in pink and purple, going crazy for her,” he gushed. “I was disappointed that she doesn’t talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs that she sings. I wanted to give her [a bracelet] with my number on it.”
In December 2023, Swift revealed that she heard Kelce “very adorably put me on blast” in his “metal as hell” podcast episode and decided to reach out.
September 24, 2023
Shortly after several sports outlets reported that Swift and Travis were seeing each other, Swift fueled romance rumors when she attended her first Kansas City Chiefs game in Travis’ private suite. She supported the NFL star by wearing a Chiefs jacket and cheering him on with his mom, Donna. She even appeared to shout “Let’s f–king go,” following a big play.
After the game, they were spotted leaving the locker room together. For the outing, Travis wore a funky blue and white denim set. The brand, KidSuper Studios, saw Travis wearing the ensemble with Swift and renamed it the “1989 Bedroom Painting Denim Jacket,” as a reference to her album 1989. (It was originally named the “Bedroom Painting Denim Jacket.”)
The pair were seen getting cozy at a postgame celebration. Swift wrapped her arm around Travis while he sat on a barstool.
In her TIME profile, Swift noted that she and Kelce were already in a relationship when she attended the Chiefs vs. Bears game.
“We actually had a significant amount of time that no one knew, which I’m grateful for, because we got to get to know each other,” she told the magazine. “By the time I went to that first game, we were a couple. I think some people think that they saw our first date at that game? We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date.”
September 26, 2023
Days after Swift attended the game, multiple sources told Us the pair are taking their relationship slow. “They have been on a few dates and Taylor is smitten with him,” the insider said. “It is not serious, and Taylor is having fun right now.” A second source confirmed, “They’re getting closer and closer every day.”
Another insider noted, they are “enjoying each other’s company and getting to know each other.” A fourth source confirmed that they had hung out “twice” so far.
September 27, 2023
Travis reflected on Swift’s appearance at his game, calling her brave for attending. Jason teased on the “New Heights” podcast, “How’s it feel that Taylor Swift has finally put you on the map?” Travis laughed and responded, “Shout-out to Taylor for pulling up. That was pretty ballsy.”
That same day, Jason made an appearance on SportsRadio 94 WIP and commented on his brother’s budding romance. “It was fun watching the whole world take it in, to be honest with you,” he said. “I would say with this one, it definitely seems like he is going above and beyond to be a gentleman.”
October 1, 2023
Swift rooted for Travis at a Chiefs vs. New York Jets game with BFFs Sophie Turner, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Sabrina Carpenter. She even hugged Travis’ mom, Donna, during the game.
October 3, 2023
A source revealed in an issue of Us that Swift was “was low-key and low-maintenance” while watching Travis defeat the Jets. The insider added that she “was sweet to everyone and had an amazing time.”
After Travis was seen leaving her New York City apartment, another source told Us, “Taylor’s really enjoying getting to know Travis … They’re taking it day by day, but she has high hopes. She likes that he’s a normal, nice guy. He’s down-to-earth and isn’t affected by fame. She also thinks he’s hot.”
A separate insider gushed, “Travis is completely smitten.”
October 10, 2023
One day after Travis’ 34th birthday, sources told Us Swift flew to Kansas City “to see Travis.” The pair enjoyed a “chill night,” per the insider.
October 12, 2023
Swift supported her man at the Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos game. For the event, she rocked a Chiefs windbreaker — gifted to her by Travis’ friend Erin Andrews from her WEAR clothing line — featuring white stripes, the team’s name in a cursive font and their logo. She again enjoyed the match with Donna, and met Travis’ dad, Ed Kelce.
Donna, for her part, sported Eras Tour-inspired friendship bracelets with colorful letter beads.
October 13, 2023
An insider told Us the duo’s relationship was “going great.”
“It’s still so new, but they really like each other,” the source told Us. “They both want to try to see each other when they can and they’re both understanding of each other’s schedules.”
October 14, 2023
Travis surprised fans with an appearance on Saturday Night Live, appearing in a sketch that took a dig at Swift’s famous ex-boyfriends.
In the skit, which included host Pete Davidson, Kenan Thompson, Curt Menefee, Mikey Day and more, the actors played sports commentators who quickly got sidetracked by Swift’s appearances at NFL games.
The men praised Travis for being a better suitor for Swift than exes Joe Alwyn and Matty Healy were. (Swift and Alwyn dated for six years before Us confirmed their split in April. Following the breakup, she had a brief romance with Healy.)
Thompson then told the group, “Knock it off, people tuned in for football, OK? We are going to speak with someone, who actually wants to talk football.” Cameras then cut to Travis, who was standing on the sideline.
“Yes, me!” he said, before mouthing “come on.”
Travis attended an afterparty while holding hands with Swift. Fans noticed that Travis appeared to have a bit of Swift’s red lipstick on his lips, hinting that the couple were making out before the party.
October 15, 2023
The couple enjoyed their second date night in a row at the Waverly Inn in New York City. For the romantic evening, Swift rocked a sheer Jean Paul Gaultier top featuring floral details and a leather miniskirt.
October 18, 2023
“Travis is different from anybody Taylor has dated before and she is falling for him more and more as the days go by,” a source exclusively told Us. He “goes out of his way to make Taylor feel special in any way he can … Taylor couldn’t believe the massive bouquet of flowers Travis sent to her just because.”
“He makes her feel safe and protected,” the source said, noting that he still lets her feel bejeweled. He “supports her independence and success … things are going really well” for the two, per the source.
October 20, 2023
An insider gushed about Travis and Swift’s budding romance, telling Us, “They’re really happy. They’re not saying they’re in love yet. But it’s obvious to her friends they’re heading in that direction … Friends think they’re in love.”
The source explained that the pair have already planned how to stay in touch when she returns to her Eras Tour, adding, “He’s going to see her when she’s back on tour. That’s already planned. And when she gets a break, she’ll see him. It’s going so well because it’s easy and nothing is complicated.”
October 22, 2023
Swift enjoyed the Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers game alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ wife, Brittany Mahomes. For the game, Swift rocked a Chiefs crewneck and pleated black skirt. She teamed it with a friendship bracelet including heart beads and Travis’ jersey number, 87.
After Travis’ victory, she sweetly gave him a kiss on the cheek.
October 23, 2023
The pair were seen on a romantic dinner date in Kansas City one day after his game. The two reportedly pulled up to the restaurant in a luxurious Rolls Royce and enjoyed their meal for about two hours.
Travis’ dad, Ed, gushed over Swift, calling her “special” in an interview with People: “I’ll tell you something very special that I noticed about Taylor the first time I met her. We’re sitting in the suite, she gets up and in the front room, she gets up to go get a drink or something and she starts picking up empty bottles, cans, plates that are scattered around.”
October 30, 2023
Swift flew to Kansas City after the Chiefs’ winning streak was broken by the Denver Broncos.
“Taylor feels awful for Travis and knows he doesn’t [take] losing lightly,” a source exclusively told Us. “Taylor felt like the least she could do is head to him in Kansas City a day earlier than planned so she could be by his side to comfort and encourage him in any way she could.” She stayed in town to celebrate Halloween with him.
November 3, 2023
Kelce, 34, was pressed about his “status” with Swift during a press conference in Germany ahead of the overseas game. “The latest status is I got to see her last week,” the tight end shared. “That’s the latest status right there.”
The questions were taken a step further when Kelce was asked whether he’s “in love” with Swift, but he quickly turned the inquiry down. “I’m going to keep my personal relationship personal,” he explained.
November 10, 2023
Kelce was seen in Argentina with Swift. They went to dinner at the Elena restaurant, which is located inside Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires. Social media footage showed the two holding hands as they entered and exited and fellow diners even applauded them as they made their way through the restaurant.
“Travis and Taylor are a very real couple, they actually spend a lot of one-on-one time together and have developed a very real connection,” a source exclusively told Us. “They have very detailed plans coming up on how to stay together while she’s on tour and he has games.”
November 11, 2023
Finally, Kelce was in the position to cheer on Swift while she rocked a stadium again. He was spotted in the VIP tent at Estadio River Plate in Buenos Aires alongside Swift’s dad, Scott, who wore a Chiefs lanyard.
During the show, Swift even swapped the lyrics to “Karma” to apply to Kelce and the Chiefs. “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs, coming straight home to me,” she sang with a giggle. Kelce blushed at the shout-out, according to social media footage.
After the concert ended, Swift and Kelce shared a passionate kiss backstage.
November 20, 2023
Travis gushed over Swift in his WSJ. Magazine interview.
“I’ve never been a man of words. Being around her, seeing how smart Taylor is, has been f–king mind-blowing,” the football star said of their relationship. “I’m learning every day.”
December 6, 2023
Swift made her first public comments on their relationship to TIME when she was named the outlet’s Person of the Year.
“When you say a relationship is public, that means I’m going to see him do what he loves, we’re showing up for each other, other people are there and we don’t care,” Swift said. “The opposite of that is you have to go to an extreme amount of effort to make sure no one knows that you’re seeing someone. And we’re just proud of each other.”
The musician also gushed about missing out on watching football in years past and not caring about the “dads, Brads and Chads” who get upset about the NFL highlighting her in their game coverage.
December 10, 2023
Swift attended her first the Chiefs game where they lost. She was spotted holding hands with Kelce as they left Arrowhead Stadium after the Buffalo Bills defeated the Kansas City Chiefs. They later headed to a holiday-themed bar to have some festive post-game drinks and pack on the PDA.
December 17, 2023
Swift attended the Chiefs game against the New England Patriots in Boston. She brought along dad Scott as well as pals Ashley Avignone and Alana Haim.
December 25, 2023
Swift spent Christmas Day cheering on Kelce at the Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders game in Kansas City, Missouri. She donned a red sweater and a Santa hat emblazoned with Kelce’s jersey number for the sporting event. Taylor’s parents, Andrea Swift and Scott Swift, were also in attendance.
December 31, 2023
The couple rang in the New Year together at a party that was also attended by their pals Patrick and Brittany. In a photo from the holiday bash that made the rounds on social media, Taylor posed with her arm around Kelce.
January 2024
The couple’s matchmaker was finally revealed when Danny Frye III revealed he was the one to set up Swift and Kelce.
Meanwhile, Swift attended every post-season Chiefs game to cheer on Kelce and finally met Travis’ brother, Jason Kelce, and sister-in-law Kylie Kelce at the Bills game on January 21. Swift hit the field for the first time after a game when the Chiefs won the AFC Championship on January 28, securing their spot in the Super Bowl. The singer kissed and hugged Travis and was seen hugging his father, Ed, and even seemed to share a sweet moment with head coach Andy Reid.
February 2024
Swift attended the 2024 Super Bowl, one day after playing a concert in Japan, alongside her and Kelce’s families, as well as a group of her A-list friends. The Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22, and Swift went down to the field to celebrate with Kelce afterward.
“It was unbelievable, unbelievable,” Swift told the NFL star before they shared a kiss.
April 2024
Swift released her 11th studio album titled The Tortured Poets Department. And while much of the album was rumored to be inspired by her past relationships with Alwyn and Healy, Swift included a handful of nods to Travis on some of the record’s more uplifting tracks.
“So when I touch down / Call the amateurs and cut ‘em from the team / Ditch the clowns, get the crown / Baby I’m the one to be,” Swift sings in the chorus of “The Alchemy,” appearing to make references to the Chiefs and their Super Bowl LVIII win.
In one of the album’s bonus extended version tracks, “So High School,” Swift seemingly compares her and the athlete’s relationship to that of a high school power couple. “Truth, dare, spin bottles / You know how to ball, I know Aristotle,” she sings in the song’s bridge.
Swifties were quick to notice the “So Long High School” lyrics included an apparent reference to Travis’ dad, Ed. “I feel like laughing in the middle of practice / To that impression you did of your dad again / I’m hearing voices like a madman,” she states in the second verse. (Travis impersonated his father several times on his and Jason’s “New Heights” podcast.)
