Why Travis Kelce Won't Be Attending the 2026 VMAs With Taylor Swift
Why Travis Kelce Won't Be Attending the 2026 VMAs With Taylor Swift
Bentley Maddox Sun, September 27, 2026 at 8:36 PM UTC
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Originally appeared on E! Online
Travis Kelce is busy being Taylor Swift’s guy on the Chiefs.
After all, the Kansas City Chiefs’ away game against the Miami Dolphins is why the tight end won't be with his wife as she attends the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles Sept. 27.
Hours before music’s most iconic night is set to begin, Kelce and his teammates, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes, will kick off inside Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, and their game isn’t expected to end until after Snoop Dogg begins his hosting duties at the VMAs.
So, who from the singer’s squad is expected to join her on the red carpet? Well, her bestie Dakota Johnson—who stars in the music video for Swift’s new single “Patient Zero,” airing during the show—may just make the whole place shimmer by her side.
And no doubt the Verity actress will be cheer captain as Swift is bestowed the first-ever Artist Director Honors at the VMAs, a new honor designed to recognize “groundbreaking music artists whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling,” according to a Sept. 21 press release from MTV and CBS.
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But while Swift and Kelce may be in separate places during the VMAs, the Grammy winner has already built a big reputation for supporting Kelce this season. In fact, she was joined by Tom Cruise at the Chiefs’ season opener earlier on Sept. 14, when she schooled the Digger actor on the rules of football.
David Eulitt/Getty Images
Plus, the Grammy winner wasn’t in a lavender haze at last week’s matchup against the Indianapolis Colts when Kelce scored a touchdown during overtime. Indeed, after the feat, Swift jumped up in excitement, pointed to her wedding ring and proclaimed, “That’s my husband!”
As for how the NFL star felt about her sweet reaction?
"Just doing my deed as a husband," he joked on the Sept. 23 episode of his New Heights podcast. "Proud wife, baby. Got to make my girl proud."
Keep reading for a look back at Swift and Kelce's burning red romance...
July 2023: Make the Friendship Bracelets
Taylor SwiftandTravis Kelce's love story began in July 2023, when the singer's Eras Tour made a stop at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.As a huge Swiftie, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end caught the show with hopes ofgiving Taylor a friendship bracelet with his number on it. However, he failed to complete the pass due to her pre-show rituals."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," Travis shared on the July 26 episode of hisNew Heightspodcast. "So, I was a little butt-hurt I didn't get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her."Summer 2023: This Is Him Trying
After publicly recounting his fumble—a moveTaylor would later describe as "metal as hell"—Travis decided toshoot his shotand invite the Grammy winner to watch the Chiefs play at Arrowhead Stadium."I threw it out there, I threw the ball in her court," he shared onThe Pat McAfee Show. "I told her, you know, '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's a little more lit.' So, we'll see what happens in the near future."August 2023: Enchanted to Meet You
Travis was rocking a mustache—which he debuted in August during training camp—when he was firstintroduced to Taylor.As he later noted of the era, "That 'stache and the 87 jersey was pretty iconic there for a little bit, and I had it when I met Taylor for the first time."September 2023: Sparks Fly
By early September, a source close to the situation told E! News that Travis and Taylor were "texting and talking here and there.""It's been very low-key," the insider explained, "as he's been in season."September 2023: Cheer Captain
Accepting Travis' invite, Taylorjoined the athlete's momDonna Kelceat Arrowhead Stadiumto watch him and the Chiefs take on the Chicago Bears. After the game, Taylor and Travis wereseen packing PDA at a local bar.Though folklore had it that it was the couple's first in-person meeting, the "Karma" singer later clarified the two hadspent a "significant amount of time"getting to know each other beforehand.As Taylor noted, "We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date."October 2023: Team Up
As an indication that the relationship was heating up, Taylorbrought her squad—including friendsBlake Lively,Ryan Reynolds,Sophie Turner,Hugh Jackman,Sabrina CarpenterandAntoni Porowski—to watch the Chiefs play against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.October 2023: It's Nice to Have a Friend
Another sign that Traviscould be The 1? Taylorstarted bondingwithBrittany Mahomes—the wife of Travis' BFF and teammatePatrick Mahomes—in andoutside of NFL games.October 2023: Welcome to New York
The couple took their romance to TV,making a surprise appearanceon the Oct. 14 episode ofSaturday Night Live. Their Big Apple takeover also included the after-party for the NBC sketch show and adate night at the Waverly Inn.November 2023: Karma Is Her Boyfriend
During a bye week, Travistraveled down to Argentinato catch the South American leg of Taylor's Eras Tour. Not only did the NFL starbond with Taylor's dad,Scott Swift,at the Nov. 11 show in Buenos Aires, but he also got a special shoutout from the stage."Karma is that guy on the Chiefs," Taylor sang, "coming straight home to me."After the show, theMidnightsartist was seen running up to Travis backstage andgreeting him with a passionate kiss.December 2023: Speak Now
Tayloraddressed the lavender crazesurrounding her appearances at Travis' games."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," she toldTime. "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."December 2023: You, Who Charmed Her Dad
The music superstar turned Travis' Dec. 17 game into a family affair,bringing her dad to cheer on her man.January 2024: All the Midnights
Taylor and Travis spent their first New Year's Eve together,sharing a romantic kisswhen the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1.January 2024: Chosen Family
Continuing to bond with Travis' family, Taylorhung out with his brotherJason Kelceand sister-in-lawKylie Kelceat the Chiefs' game against the Buffalo Bills.January 2024: Saved by the Perfect Kiss
Taylor joined Travis on the football field when the Chiefswon the AFC Championship, a victory that cemented the team's spot in the2024 Super Bowl. The coupleshared a celebratory kissbeforeexchanging the L-word."Tay, I'm gonna enjoy with the guys," he told her. "I love you—so much it's not funny."February 2024: Super Bowl Champs
The pair locked lips on the field after Travis led the Kansas City Chiefs to victory on Feb. 11, 2024 in Las Vegas.February 2024: TikTok Official
Taylor posted footage of Travis on social media for the first time Feb. 12, poking fun at how she took her parents clubbing with the athlete after the Super Bowl.June 2024: Instagram Official
Taylor's first Instagram pic featuring Travis was a selfie of the two withPrince Williamand his and wifeKate Middleton's eldest kidsPrince GeorgeandPrincess Charlottebackstage at the singer's Eras tour show at Wembley Stadium in London.June 2024: Travis' Eras Tour Stage Debut
While attending his seventh Eras tour concert, and second show at London's Wembley Stadium, the NFL star joined his girlfriend onstage as a backup performer during her performance of "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart."September 2024: Back in the Game
Taylor joined Travis for theChief's first game of the regular 2024-25 seasonand appeared to re-enact a PDA moment from October 2023 in this photo shared byChariah Gordon, who is pictured with her boyfriend, Chiefs wide receiverMecole Hardman.September 2024: Wedding Date
The twoattended modelKaren Elson's weddingto Electric Lady Studios ownerLee Fosterin New York City.September 2024: U.S. Open Date
The next day, the pairattended the men's singles final match at the U.S. Open.October 2024: Double Date
The twostepped out for a double dinner datewithBlake LivelyandRyan Reynoldsin NYC.December 2024: Empire State of Mind
The pair stepped out for two back-to-back dates in New York City over the last weekend of 2024, matching outfits both times.March 2025: Off-Season Adventures
The pair spent the NFL off-season together, enjoying a snowy vacation toMontanawith sportscasterErin Andrews.
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
