Charles Esther:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(750x323:752x325):format(webp)/travis-kelce-taylor-swift-instagram4-72425-3d281d5b58504f70949dcf5f7571bd39.jpg?resize=750,500&ssl=1 "Kansas City – Taylor Swift – Confirms – Andy Reid Helped Spark Travis Kelce Romance")
Taylor Swift shared that before she began dating NFL star Travis Kelce in 2023, “a lot of people” were already encouraging her to meet him — including Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, a longtime friend of her father.
How Their Paths First Crossed
The story began in July 2023, when Kelce attended Swift’s Eras Tour stop at Arrowhead Stadium. He watched from his private box, traded friendship bracelets with fans, and had planned to give Swift one with his phone number on it.
Kelce’s Missed Chance at the Concert
Kelce later admitted on his New Heights podcast that he was “a little butthurt” he couldn’t meet Swift after the show, as she avoids pre- and post-concert meet-and-greets to protect her voice.
Swift’s First Impression of Kelce’s Effort
When Swift joined the New Heights podcast in August 2025, she jokingly described Kelce’s reaction as a “man tantrum” and compared his persistence to a romantic ’80s John Hughes movie scene.
The Matchmaking Credits
Swift and Kelce confirmed that Andy Reid played a big role in bringing them together. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes also claimed partial credit, saying he encouraged Kelce to pursue Swift.
From Messages to First Date
After encouragement from friends, Swift reached out to Kelce. Their first dinner date in New York City included a lighthearted moment when Swift asked about playing against his brother in the Super Bowl — only to learn they wouldn’t have been on the field at the same time.
Going Public — But Later Than Fans Think
Although Swift was spotted cheering for Kelce at a Chiefs game in September 2023, she revealed they had been dating privately before then. They wanted time to know each other away from public attention.
Clarifying the Timeline
In February 2024, Kelce explained they had already been seeing each other for about a month before that first public game appearance.
Officially a Couple
By October 2023, the two went public, holding hands in New York City after an SNL appearance.
A Relationship Built Away from the Spotlight
Both credit their early private months for helping them form a strong connection before facing the intense public interest in their relationship.
