Things between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce seem to be heating up amid the former’s eventful 2023. The “Anti-Hero” singer’s highly coveted Eras Tour kicked off in March and spanned across the country with millions of fans and celebrities flocking to see her live. Back in September, Swift swept the MTV VMAs, winning a total of nine awards, and followed up with the premiere of her “The Eras Tour” concert film a month later. But musical accomplishments aside, the pop star’s love life has been in the spotlight, too.
In April, Swift and her longtime boyfriend, actor-songwriter Joe Alwyn, called it quits after six years of dating. After her breakup, Swift was linked to The 1975’s Matty Healy from May to June before the short-lived romance fizzled out. Now, it seems Swift is dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Kelce, and their newfound connection has caused quite a media frenzy over the last few weeks. Though Swift and Kelce have been tight-lipped about the status of their relationship, they’ve seemingly dropped some obvious hints that hint at a budding romance.
Dating rumors first began swirling after Kelce explained that he attended one of Swift’s Eras concerts back in July, and in true Swiftie fashion, he made a friendship bracelet with his number on it to give to the singer. Since then, various sources have revealed that there may be something more between the two, and Swift has even shown up at more than one of Kelce’s games. On Oct. 14, the pair seemingly made their debut as a couple after being photographed holding hands in New York City.
Ahead, here’s everything we know about Swift and Kelce’s rumoured relationship so far.
July 7, 2023: Travis Kelce Attends Taylor Swift’s Eras Show in Kansas City
@newheightshow Anyone know how to get a bracelet to @Taylor Swift? … asking for a friend ? @Buffalo Wild Wings ♬ original sound – New Heights
In his “New Heights” podcast, Kelce revealed that he attended the Eras concert in Kansas City, MO, with the intention of giving Swift his phone number.
“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. So I was a little butthurt I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her,” Kelce recalled.
“If you’re up on Taylor Swift concerts, there are friendship bracelets. And I received a bunch of them being there, but I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it.”
Sept. 12, 2023: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Are Reportedly “Hanging Out”
Months after Kelce’s failed attempt at connecting with Swift at the Eras concert, a source with The Messenger revealed that the two had finally linked up.
“Taylor and Travis have been quietly hanging out,” the source explained. “She saw him when she was in NYC a few weeks ago.”
Meanwhile, an insider told Entertainment Tonight that the pair were not officially dating, but did give insight into Kelce’s potential feelings for Swift.
“Travis has been into Taylor for a while and definitely has a crush on her. He is a simple guy that is very funny, charismatic, chill, and loves playing football,” the insider said.
Sept. 20, 2023: Jason Kelce Seemingly Confirms the Dating Rumours
After much speculation, Jason Kelce seemingly confirmed his brother’s relationship status with Swift in an interview with Philadelphia’s sports radio 94WIP.
“I don’t really know a lot about what’s happening with Travis’s love life . . . his business is his business,” Kelce said in part. “Having said that, man, I think he’s doing great and I think it’s all 100 percent true.”
Shortly after, he quipped, “No, I’m joking, I don’t know what’s happening.”
Sept. 21, 2023: Travis Kelce Addresses the Rumours on “The Pat McAfee” Show
During his appearance on the show, Kelce addressed the dating speculation.
“It’s hilarious how much traction this has actually got. I think, it’s right now, it’s like an old game in school called Telephone, where everyone’s just whispering in each other’s ear, just hearing some random stuff,” he said. “No one actually knows what’s going on, but especially when you got Jason Kelce on live television telling people just both sides.”
When McAfee asked Kelce if he was bothered by the rumours, he responded, “No, it’s life, baby. I threw it out there. I threw the ball in her court and, you know, I told her, ‘I’ve seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead. You might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead and see which one is a little more lit.'”
That same day, a source close to Swift revealed to The Messenger that the singer is “in her fun girl era and strictly having fun right now”.
“She and Travis have hung out twice, and it’s nothing serious. She thinks he is very charming, and they have been texting this last week,” they added. “He is a little embarrassed at how much attention they are getting, but he has told her he would love to continue seeing her.”
Sept. 24, 2023: Taylor Swift Attends a Kansas City Chiefs Game
On Sept. 24, 2023, Swift accepted Kelce’s invitation to see him at Arrowhead Stadium. The star was spotted sitting in a suite with his mother, Donna Kelce. In a video shared on NFL’s official X page, Swift is seen interacting with the Kelce matriarch while rooting for her rumoured beau. Following the game, the pair were seen driving away together in a vintage convertible, per photos published by Daily Mail.
Sept. 27, 2023: Travis Kelce Addresses Taylor Swift’s Surprise Game Appearance on His Podcast
During the Sept. 27 episode of their “New Heights” podcast, Kelce and his brother, Jason, dug into the rumours surrounding the pair.
“We’ve been avoiding this subject out of respect for your personal life. But now, we’ve gotta talk about it,” Jason said.
When asked how he feels about Swift putting him “on the map”, Kelce gave the singer a shout-out and said it was “pretty ballsy” of her to show up to his game.
“I just thought it was awesome how everybody in the suite had nothing but great things to say about her, the friends and family,” he continued. “She looked amazing. Everybody was talking about her in great light and on top of that, the day went perfect for Chiefs fans, of course. We script it all, ladies and gentlemen. It was just impressive.”
Kelce also commented on Swift’s crowd enthusiasm.
“To see the slow motion chest bumps, to see the high fives with mom, to see how Chiefs kingdom was all excited that she was there, that sh*t was absolutely hysterical,” he said. “It was definitely a game I’ll remember, that’s for damn sure.”
He added, “Shout-out to Taylor for coming through and seeing me rock the stage.”
At one point, Kelce also acknowledged that he “brought all this attention” surrounding him and Swift to himself with his friendship bracelet gesture and “telling everyone how butt hurt I was that I didn’t get to meet Taylor”.
“What’s real is that it is my personal life and I want to respect both of our lives . . . I’m enjoying life and I sure as hell enjoyed this weekend,” Kelce concluded.
Oct. 1, 2023: Taylor Swift and Blake Lively Attend a Kansas City Chief’s Game
Swift returned to the stands on Oct. 1 when she attended another one of Kelce’s games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This time, she was joined by none other than Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.
Oct. 12, 2023: Taylor Swift Attends Another Kansas City Chiefs Game With Travis Kelce’s Mum
Swift popped up at a Chiefs home game for Thursday Night Football as the team took on the Denver Broncos. The singer sat next to Kelce’s mom, Donna, as the two cheered from a suite. Swift was also seen hugging and laughing with Brittany Mahomes, the wife of Kelce’s teammate Patrick Mahomes.
Oct. 15, 2023: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Step Out Together For the First Time
After weeks of rumors, Swift and Kelce finally stepped out together in NYC following their surprise appearances in “Saturday Night Live”‘s season 49 premiere. Swift popped up to introduce friend and musical guest Ice Spice, while Kelce made a cameo in a sketch poking fun at him and Swift’s game-day frenzy. After the show, the two were seen arriving at the “SNL” afterparty, which, according to People, was a “PDA-filled date night.”
“Taylor and Travis were there all night and they were so smiley, they were so happy,” a source told the outlet, adding that the pair stayed at the party “until after 4 a.m.” The insider also shared that at one point during the event, Kelce “takes both her hands and puts them on his shoulder, so they’re face to face, and then he takes both his hands and grabs her waist. They’re leaning in, they’re kissing each other.” They added that they were “whispering” and “touching each other the whole time,” too.
The source added that Kelce was very attentive to Swift that night. “[He was] going over and touching her, putting his hand on her lower back or putting his hands on her waist and then they would do a little kiss and then they would go back to talking to whoever they were talking to… They were always connected throughout the night,” the source said. “They were super comfortable with each other. They were very cuddly; they weren’t awkward. She was really comfortable with him, and he was a total gentleman.” On Oct. 15, Swift and Kelce were spotted again, this time holding hands after having dinner at the Waverly Inn in Manhattan’s West Village.
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