The Kansas City Chiefs are once again headed to the Super Bowl, and while all eyes are on the team’s performance, an unexpected storyline has emerged, does Taylor Swift’s presence impact Travis Kelce’s stats? Since their relationship became public in Week 3 of the 2023 season, the pop superstar has been a frequent fixture at Chiefs games, leading to speculation that her support might be influencing Kelce’s on-field numbers.
The Chiefs are now in Super Bowl 59, which will take place on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 6:30 PM ET at the legendary Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. They will face the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch of Super Bowl 57, which the Chiefs won 38-35. The question remains, is there a ‘Swift Effect’ when it matters most? Let’s uncover the truth.
Kelce’s Performance With Swift In Attendance
Week 9 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 14 catches, 100 yards
Divisional Round vs. Houston Texans: 7 catches, 117 yards, 1 touchdown
AFC Championship vs. Buffalo Bills: 2 catches, 19 yards
The Chiefs have thrived with Swift in attendance, holding a 9-0 record this season when she is present. Extending to last season, their record improves to 19-3 when she has been in the crowd. Kelce’s postseason numbers also receive a boost when Swift is watching. In playoff games she has attended, he averages 7.8 catches per game and 94.4 yards, both increases from his regular-season stats when she is in attendance. His touchdown rate in these games is also significantly higher at 60%, compared to just 28.5% in the regular season.
Kelce’s Performance Without Swift In Attendance
When Swift is not in the stands, Kelce’s stats see a slight dip. In nine games without her present, he has managed 50 receptions for 452 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 5.6 catches and 50.2 yards per game, both lower than his averages when she is there. Some of his notable games without Swift include:
Against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4: 7 catches, 89 yards
Week 8 vs. Las Vegas Raiders: 10 catches, 90 yards, 1 touchdown
Week 17 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 8 catches, 84 yards, 1 touchdown
The Chiefs’ record without Taylor Swift in attendance remains strong at 8-1 this season and 12-3 dating back to 2023, meaning the team can still perform at a high level when she isn’t present. However, Travis Kelce’s individual stats suggest a slight edge in performance when she is watching, especially in crucial postseason games.
