Taylor Swift really has ‘hung her Eagles t-shirt on the door’, as she sings in the evermore song ‘Gold Rush’. In fact, she’s swapped it for a Kansas City Chief’s jersey, and she’s been proudly wearing it while sitting beside her new beau’s mum.
For those who are lost, Swift, who parted ways from her partner of six years Joe Alwyn in April 2023, has officially hard launched her relationship with NFL Chief’s player Travis Kelce.
In late September 2023, she was spotted supporting him at a game at Arrowhead stadium, essentially confirming rumours that the pair were ‘hanging out’. Since then she’s attended multiple games and the pair have even been pictured holding hands and leaving evening events together.
At a show in Argentina in November 2023, Swift changed the lyrics to her song ‘Karma’, swapping “Karma is the guy on the screen” to “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs, coming straight home to me”. After the show she ran up to Kelce, who was in Argentina to watch the show, and gave him a huge hug and a big kiss.
So how did we get here, and what is next for the very genetically blessed couple? Well, here’s the full timeline.
Who Is Travis Kelce?
Travis Kelce is an American NFL player who plays ‘tight end’ for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was born in Ohio in October 1989 (the same year as Swift), and is 33. That also makes his star sign a Libra.
Kelce is a star player and widely considered to be one of the greatest tight ends of all time. His mother’s name is Donna and his brother Jason Kelce also plays in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles (Swift’s hometown team).
Travis played football at University of Cincinnati before being drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013. He’s played continuously for the Chiefs for 10 years, and was part of their winning Super Bowl team in both 2019 and 2022.
Kelce has been, as DeuxMoi would call it, a pretty unproblematic public figure. He dated social media influencer Kayla Nicole from 2017 to 2022. He also hosts a podcast with his brother Jason, called New Heights.
Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Relationship Timeline
July 7 and 8: Swift Performs In Kansas City
Taylor Swift performed her Eras Tour at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. It was also the city she chose to announce the launch of her latest re-recorded album Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).
She played a series of surprise songs in Kansas City including ‘Never Grow Up’, ‘When Emma Falls In Love’, ‘Last Kiss’ and ‘dorothea’, while also adding ‘Long Live’ to the official setlist.
Kelce was in the crowd on one of the nights.
July 26: Kelce Says He Was Sad He Didn’t Get To Meet Swift When She Performed In Kansas City
Kelce took to his podcast New Heights to say that he was ‘bummed’ that she doesn’t talk to anyone before or after the shows so she can ‘save her voice’. He said he didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets he made for her.
He said the bracelet had ‘his number’ on it. When asked if he meant his playing number ’87’ or his phone number, Kelce replied, “You know which one.”
“She doesn’t meet anybody, or at least she didn’t want to meet me,” he joked. “I took it personal.”
September 12: Kelce And Swift Rumoured To Be Hanging Out
A few months after the initial interaction, a source told Entertainment Tonight that the pair were not dating but “quietly hanging out”.
This was also reported by The Messenger, with source that added, “She saw him when she was in NYC a few weeks ago.”
September 14: Kelce Asked About Swift On Live TV
Two days after the reports, a video from August 2 resurfaced where Kelce was asked about his relationship status on live TV.
“I said what I said. And I meant what I said when I said it. And you know what, it is what it is. I’m not gonna talk about my personal life. I know what you writers wanna hear, and you wanna hear more about that and I’m not gonna give you anything,” he told the NFL Network.
When asked if she reached out he coyly replied, “And we’re gonna wrap it up here…”
He was asked again the same day and was tight lipped, “I’ve seen these rumors. I cannot comment.”
His brother, however, weighed into the conversation, telling an Amazon Prime football panel, “Ever since Catching Kelce [Travis Kelce’s documentary], everybody’s been infatuated with Travis’s love life.
“I don’t really know what’s going on there, but I know Travis is having fun and we’ll see what happens with whoever he ends up with.”
September 20: Jason Kelce Brings Up Swift On Radio
Jason Kelce again was the looser lipped of the two, joking about the relationship on morning radio, People reports.
“I try to keep his business kind of his business, stay out of that world,” Kelce said.
Adding, “Having said that, man, I think they’re doing great and I think it’s all 100% true, and I hope this thing goes a mile—no, I’m joking, I don’t know what’s happening.”
September 21: Kelce Puts The “Ball” In Taylor’s Court
While on the Pat McAfee Show, Kelce said that the ball was in Swift’s court.
“I told her, you know, ‘I’ve seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead [Stadium], you might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead and see which one’s a little more lit,’” Kelce said. “So, we’ll see what happens in the near future.”
On the media speculation he said, “It’s hilarious how much traction this has actually gotten, right now it’s like a game of telephone. No one actually knows what’s going on, especially when you got [my brother] Jason Kelce on live television telling people both sides—he doesn’t know, it’s true, this and that.”
September 24: Swift Attends Kelce’s NFL Game At Arrowhead Stadium
Up until now we had heard nothing from Swift’s camp on the unfolding situation with her rumoured romance to Travis Kelce. There had been speculation that the Kelce brothers had been hyping up the rumour mill to promote Catching Kelce, but it appears to be more genuine than that.
Swift was spotted in a box at Arrowhead Stadium watching her beau play against the Chicago Bears (which they won 41-10). She was seen giggling and laughing while sitting next to Donna Kelce, and was even in Chiefs merchandise (a bold move for a self-confessed Eagles supporter, given the Chiefs beat the Eagles in the 2022 Super Bowl by just three points).
The pair were also spotted exiting the venue after the game with Kelce wearing an eye-catching matching denim set in a kind of tie-dye light blue and white pattern.
However, hardcore Swifties were all about the choice, given that light blue is the colour of 1989, the year both he and Swift are born and the album she is about to drop this October 27.
Fans later spotted the couple driving through Kansas in a convertible car, which Swift’s fans have re-named a ‘Getaway Car’ after her hit Reputation song about escaping a relationship with a new man.
September 27: Kelce Breaks His Silence After Swift Attended His Game
Following Swift and Kelce’s unusual public display at Arrowhead Stadium, Kelce spoke up about the experience of having Swift at his game.
“My person life is not so personal. I did this to myself, I know this,” he said on his New Heights podcast alongside brother Jason Kelce. “I’m on the rollercoaster man. The rollercoaster of life. I’ve noticed a few things, paparazzi outside my house…they have a camera in their hands and they’re screaming my name.”
Jason jumped in to ask Kelce directly about his ‘special guest’ that was watching the game from the Travis Kelce suite, asking “How does that feel?”
“Shoutout to Taylor for pulling up, that was pretty ballsy!” Travis said. “I just thought it was awesome how everybody in the suite had nothing but great things to say about her, the friends and family. She looked amazing. Everyone was talking about her in great light. And on top of that, the day went perfect for Chief’s fans…it was just impressive. It was impressive.”
Jason called the energy at the game “electric” and Travis echoed his brother’s sentiments.
“To see the slow-motion chest bumps, to see the high-fives with Mom, to see how, you know, Chiefs kingdom was all excited that she was there. That sh*t was absolutely hysterical, it was definitely a game I will remember, that’s for damn sure,” Travis said. “Then we just slid off in the getaway car at the end. Took my Chevelle to the game and yeah. You already know, having fun, breaking all the speed limits in that thing.”
“Shoutout for Taylor for coming through and seeing me rock the stage,” he added.
Jason then took the opportunity to point out that Travis Kelce jerseys are up in sales by 400 per cent. “Sounds like the Swifties are also part of Chief’s kingdom,” Travis responded jokingly.
The conversation continued with Travis joking that everyone in his life have been commenting on his dating life.
“Then you got Coach Reid telling everyone he’s cupid. He’s been manifesting this the whole time,” Travis said.
When asked if he really was behind it, Travis responded, “I don’t even know how to answer that…I know that he had met the Swift family before, so I don’t know, he could have been in the background the whole time.”
The brothers also took an opportunity to address the buzz around this new relationship, admitting that while it’s been fun to talk and joke about it they’ll probably be a little more reserved in future.
Jason said, “This has been in the rumour mill for quite some time, and we’ve been debating bringing these rumours up on the podcast or debating it at all and I think that you definitely have wanted to keep this thing a little bit less public.”
Travis responded, “I know I brought all this attention to me. I did the whole friendship bracelet thing and told everyone how butt hurt I was I didn’t get to meet Taylor.
“You’ve got to shoot your shot,” Jason joked. “You miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take baby,” Travis replied.
However, he added, “I think what’s real is that, it is my personal life and I want to respect both of our lives. She’s not in the media as much as I am, doing this show every single week and having fun during the NFL season on other guys’ shows.
“I’m enjoying life and I sure as hell enjoyed this weekend,” he added. “Everything moving forward, I think me talking about sports and saying ‘Alright now’ will have to be kind of where I keep it.”
Swifties looks like this couple might be taking their relationship out of the spotlight.
September 30: A 2016 Interview With Travis Kelce Arises
Taylor Swift has sung pretty openly about ‘skeletons in the closet’ of the people she falls for, but lucky for her, this skeleton is a very cute nod to her.
An old interview with Travis Kelce from 2016 resurfaced, where he made an appearance on AfterBuzz TV. The NFL star was asked to play “Kiss, Marry, Kill.”
Given the opens of Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Katy Perry, Kelce protested that he ‘didn’t want to kill any of them’.
“Taylor Swift would be the kiss. And what’s the last one? Katy Perry? Yeah, Katy Perry would be the marry,” he said.
Adorable? We think so.
The same day Swift was spotted attending dinner at Emilio’s Ballato in SoHo, Manhattan, with Sophie Turner, Blake Lively and Brittany Mahomes. For those not read up in all things NFL, Mahomes is the wife of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
It appears that Swift and Mahomes may have hit it off during her appearance at Arrowhead Stadium and then decided to grab dinner together. Fellow WAGS unite?
October 1: Travis Kelce Rumoured To Hang With Taylor Before She Attends Chiefs Game At MetLife
The Kansas City Chiefs played the New York Jets on October 1 at MetLife Stadium, bringing Travis Kelce to New York state.
Was he spotted checking into his New Jersey hotel, pictured wearing a shirt that said ‘I’m not doing sh*t today’. Yet, The Daily Mail reports that he was in fact, doing a lot.
The report states that he returned to his hotel in “Taylor Swift’s Range Rover, after he is believed to have spent the night at her apartment.” If true, that would be big tea indeed.
In news that surprised no one, Swift was seen entering MetLife Stadium with Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Sabrina Carpenter and Sophie Turner for the Chiefs game, heading up to the suite to watch her rumoured boyfriend play. It seems these two are simply going from strength to strength.
October 16: Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Hard Launch Their Relationship
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were seen arriving at the SNL afterparty in New York after Swift made an appearance on the show to introduce her friend and ‘Karma’ collaborator Ice Spice.
Swift was pictured in a checked overcoat, heeled boots and Aupen bag, all in shades of black, while Kelce was pictured in a button up, chinos and white and blue jacket. The pair looked loved up, holding hands for the cameras as Kelce escorted Swift inside and then back outside the venue.
According to Entertainment Tonight, their hard launch continued inside the venue, with sources saying the two appeared close and were even seen kissing throughout the evening.
Kelce also appeared to care for Swift’s safety at the public event, with a source telling the publication, “At one point, he actually told her security guard that he could step aside, like he’d take it from here.”
24-hours after their appearance at the Saturday Night Live afterparty, Swift and Kelce decided to grab a fun-filled dinner at Waverly Inn in New York City on Sunday October 15.
Swift looked stunning in a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier mesh top and Khaite mini skirt, while Kelce looked smart in a beige corduroy two piece and black t-shirt. The pair were all smiles as they clasped hands on the way to their car.
19 October: Travis Kelce Buys $6 Million House In Kansas City, Boasting Much More Privacy
With high profile relationships, comes major press, and it seems that Travis Kelce has decided he needs somewhere a little more private when his paramour Swift comes to Kansas City to visit.
While the property has now gone into completion (suggesting he probably made the decision to move prior to his dating life becoming national news) there’s no denying that the more quiet location will be a benefit to the popular couple.
The Kansas City Chief’s tight end has had an amazing year, with the New York Post reporting that his salary underwent a major increase from $2.9M in 2022 to $11.2M in 2023. They also report that a series of endorsement deals with Pfizer, Nike and Bud Light have added to his coffers.
The new mansion is, according to TMZ, in a gated community, boasting six bedrooms, a swimming pool, mini golf course, tennis court and pickleball court: a perfect purchase for a sporting man it seems. It offers 16,000 square feet of living space.
The new home is a major upgrade from the high-end suburban home that he purchased in 2019 for just under $1 million, which was situated on 10,000 square feet and featured a pool, fitness room and wine cellar.
23 October: Swift Is Pictured Giving Travis Kelce A Kiss
If we weren’t 100 per cent sure that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are dating, a simple peck on the cheek at a late October Chiefs game against the Chargers proved it all.
Posted to Kelce’s teammate Mecole Hardman Jr.’s girlfriend’s account, were a series of photos with Swift and Kelce. In one of the images, Swift is pictured leaning into her beau, planting a kiss on his cheek. Adorable! She’s wearing a pair of Nike red tick trainers, a black pleated mini skirt and vintage Chiefs jersey.
While fans naturally went wild for the shot, they were also curious about a piece of jewellery the star was wearing and its hidden meaning. She was pictured wearing a friendship bracelet with Travis Kelce’s number on it. No, not his phone number, his playing number – 87. The cute tribute was a bit of fun given that Kelce’s comments about giving her a bracelet with his number on it kicked off this whole romance.
On top of the PDA, CBS released a series of stats showing that Swift’s presence at Kelce’s game is actually helping his play. Apparently, Kelce averages 99 yards a game when Swift is in attendance, in comparison to his 46.5 yards when she is not there. Looks like she really does help him ‘run as fast as he can’.
November 12: Swift Changes The Lyrics To ‘Karma’ And Kisses Travis Kelce
Travis Kelce flew to Argentina to watch Taylor Swift perform her iconic ‘Eras Tour’ in Buenos Aires. The Chiefs tight end was in the VIP tent with Swift’s dad (who fans call Papa Swift), watching on as she sparkled on stage.
To surprise Kelce, who had clearly gone to a lot of effort to be at the show, Swift changed the lyrics to her song ‘Karma’. Instead of singing “Karma is the guy on the screen” (believed to be written about her ex Joe Alwyn who is an actor), she sang “Karma is the guy on the Chiefs” followed by the next line “coming straight home to me”.
Swift giggled throughout her delivery, clearly revelling in the playful nature of the lyric change.
At the show, she also sang her Midnights song ‘Labyrinth’ as the surprise song, which is about getting over a love that you thought would be forever, then realising you’re falling in love with someone else. Perhaps a pointed choice?
You can read the lyrics to ‘Labyrinth’ here:
I’ll be getting over you my whole life
You know how scared I am of elevators
Never trust it if it rises fast
It can’t last
Uh oh, I’m falling in love
Oh no, I’m falling in love again
Oh, I’m falling in love
I thought the plane was going down
How’d you turn it right around
After the show, Swift headed back to her changing rooms, but spotted Travis Kelce waiting just outside the door for her. Seeing him, she decided to run up to him, throwing her arms around him and kissing him passionately. They walked backstage arm in arm.
Naturally, fans cannot get enough of the beautiful moment, given Swift has been so private with her love life over the past six years. Many commented how happy they were to see that she is happy, and – it seems – in love.
15 November: Gigi Hadid Stands Up For Taylor And Travis Amidst Rumours They’re Moving Too Fast
After rumours emerged about Swift’s friends worrying the star was moving too fast with her new boyfriend, Gigi Hadid decided to clear up the gossip.
Commenting on an Instagram post from gossip journalist Perez Hilton, Gigi wrote , “I’m a couple days late to this tag. But didn’t the press try this last week w Selena? Let it be.. we are all over the moon for our girl. Period. (sic).”
We love to see the girl gang support.
November 16: Travis Kelce Meets Taylor Swift’s Parents And Talks About ‘Karma’ Lyric Change
God bless Taylor Swift for dating a man who runs a podcast about his life. We got a new update from Travis Kelce on the New Heights podcast he hosts with his brother Jason Kelce, with Travis reflecting on the whirlwind that was Buenos Aires.
Jason asked, “How does it feel to officially be the ‘guy on the chiefs’?” referring to Swift’s lyric change in her performance of ‘Karma’.
Kelce responded, “Yeah, I had no clue [she would do that]. Well, I might of had a little bit of a clue but definitely when I heard it come out of her mouth it still shocked me and I was like, oh, she really just said that.”
Jason pointed out that while Kelce brings his hand to his face in shock, he missed Swift’s dad appearing to offer him a high five.
“You were so shocked you left Scott [Swift] hanging. Scott’s over here looking for a high five,” Jason said.
“Yeah, Mr. Swift. I apologise big guy, man, I missed that,” Travis said. “I never miss a high five, big high five guy. It’s the most electric thing you can do at an event.”
Scott Swift was also pictured wearing a Chiefs-branded lanyard, despite being a staunch Philadelphia Eagles supporter. Kelce revealed that he had met Taylor’s dad the night before for dinner, and had persuaded him to wear the lanyard. He said they’d had dinner after the first Buenos Aires show was cancelled due to the weather.
“We got some good food, empanadas and steak…the only night we had a chance to go to dinner was the night the show got postponed. We didn’t want to just go and have a blast throughout the city like we didn’t care about the show, so we stayed inside the hotel and kept to ourselves man,” Kelce said.
However, he added that he really enjoyed Swift’s later performance the following evening, especially given their newfound closeness. Aww!
“The show was even more electric, knowing that I had a little bit more to enjoy it for. Taylor absolutely ripped it, she killed it. And it looked like she was having some fun up there. Alright now,” he said, using his favourite catch phrase.
He later responded to the viral moment through his podcast, New Heights, saying he was “nonsense”
“What’s hilarious is that nobody followed me back then. I was just using Twitter as like a diary… I’m just out here just saying nonsense,” he confessed.
“‘I just gave a squirrel a piece of bread’ and spelled squirrel like a jackass… This is why I don’t tweet anymore because it’s just nonsense.”
Travis confessed he had been trying to delete old Tweets “since I’ve gotten into the league”. “But sure enough, it came to surface level,” he added.
Gotta be fast to beat the Swifties, Travis!
November 30: Travis Kelce Reveals His Nickname For Taylor Swift & It’s *Adorable*
Strengthening his case for boyfriend of the year, Travis Kelce has revealed the sweet nickname he has for girlfriend Taylor Swift.
In an episode of his and his brothers’ podcast, New Heights, the duo discussed how Taylor had shown her support for Travis by ‘liking’ an Instagram post that commemorated his recent on-field prowess.
“Thanks, Tay,” he said. “I appreciate you on the Chiefs page supporting.”
Needless to say, we’re obsessed.
December 25: Swift Arrives At Arrowhead With Entire Family To Celebrate Christmas With Travis Kelce
Merry Swiftmas! Taylor Swift and her family – mother Andrea, father Scott and brother Austin Swift – all showed up to support Travis at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas Day, with the Chiefs taking on the Las Vegas Raiders.
Her brother Austin Swift went undercover, dressed as Santa Claus, bringing along his girlfriend Sydney Ness for the family affair.
Swift was seen wearing a Santa hat emblazoned with Travis Kelce’s playing number ‘87’. She also wore a Guest In Residence bomber jacket, Prada loafers and check mini skirt courtesy of Hill House.
29 January: The Chiefs Go Through To The Super Bowl
Swift was present at the Kansas City Chief’s win over the Baltimore Ravens to clinch their spot in the Super Bowl. The starlet was in full Chiefs merch, including a Chief’s necklace and red ring to support her boyfriend.
The Chiefs had a convincing win, taking out the Ravens 17-10 with Kelce bringing out some seriously big moves on the field alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes. However, it was Swift who stole the show, with a high level of cutaways to the star in the stands. At one point she appeared to mouth “go away please” to the camera operator, but whether or not that is in fact what she said has not been confirmed.
At the end of the game, Swift ran down to Kelce on the field, celebrating his spot in the upcoming Super Bowl. Kelce gave her a kiss, chanting “You gotta fight for your right to party! We going to Las Vegas to go get us another one!”
Of course, fans of Swift also joked that of course she would date someone who is also so successful in what he does.
The Super Bowl is scheduled to kick off around 10.30am on Monday February 12.
21 March: Kelce Has Reportedly Spent $8 Million on Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift might be a billionaire but Travis Kelce is raking in the dollars too, and is not afraid to spend them on his new paramour.
That’s according to a new report from the Daily Mail that states Kelce spent $8 million on his new relationship. This includes elaborate gifts, Valentine’s Day presents, and sweet gestures – such as flying across the globe to see Swift play in Argentina.
We take this number with a grain of salt, but the list of items reported is indeed eyewatering. They include:
- A $3,050 24-karat Perigold gold rose sculpture
- Two boxes of 250 roses ‘eternity’ roses costing $2,199 each
- A $1,050 black lambskin Dior beret
- A $1,100 Celine hat
- A Bottega Veneta purse worth $5,100
- A $1,300 Hermès Chevaux Dechaines shawl
Kelce’s contract is believed to be worth $57 million across four years, amounting to $14 million a year. However he receives more money from advertising and likely also his podcast.
Despite being worth $1.1 billion dollars, Swift has never come across as too elaborate in her spending, with a mix of high street and designer clothes in her wardrobe. Perhaps they’ve both decided there’s no harm in a ritzier lifestyle?
September 6: Taylor Claps Back At Breakup Rumours With Glam Appearance At Chiefs Game
Football season is back, and Swift has a front row seat. Just weeks after she and Kelce were plagued with false rumours of a breakup, the singer arrived in serious style to the first Chiefs game of the season, sending a subtle message that her relationship is alive and well in the process. ICYMI, earlier this week, a false document made the rounds on social media, titled, “Comprehensive Media Plan For Travis Kelce’s Relations Following Breakup with Taylor Swift.” The paperwork even featured a logo for Full Scope, the PR company that represents Kelce — however his team has since spoken out against the supposed breakup plan.
For her part, Swift put the rumours to rest in a denim corset by Versace, paired with micro shorts and killer thigh-high boots. Needless to say, we’re obsessed.
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
