From friendship bracelets to forever: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship timeline

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s romance has been nothing short of a real-life fairytale, filled with surprise appearances, football games, music shout-outs, and now, an engagement.

Let’s take a look back at the sweetest milestones that brought the pop superstar and the NFL star to their “Love Story” ending or the beginning of their happily ever after:

July 8, 2023: Travis Kelce attends the Eras Tour

Fans first spotted Kelce at Taylor’s Eras Tour in Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium, where he traded friendship bracelets with fans. It was the start of what would become an unforgettable love story.

July 26, 2023: Travis Kelce tries to give Taylor Swift his number

After attending Taylor’s Eras Tour, Kelce revealed on his New Heights podcast that he attempted to pass Swift a personalised friendship bracelet.

“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,” Kelce shared, admitting his plan didn’t work out.

September 24, 2023: Taylor Swift attends her first chiefs game

Swift shocked fans when she appeared at Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs game, sitting in his suite alongside his mom, Donna. Cameras caught her cheering as Kelce scored a touchdown.

“She just thought it was a fantastic way to spend Sunday,” a source told PEOPLE.

September 25, 2023: Sources confirm they’re “Hanging out”

Just one day later, insiders told PEOPLE the two were in the “super, super early days” of getting to know each other.

Another insider revealed that, "This was Taylor's first time meeting his mom and dad, and everyone was enjoying themselves. She was super chill and low-key hanging out with his friends and family.”

September 27, 2023: Kelce praises Taylor on his podcast

“I’m enjoying life and I sure as hell enjoyed this weekend,” Travis said on New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce Podcast. He called Taylor’s appearance at the game “pretty ballsy” and noted, “She looked amazing and everybody was talking about her in great light.”

October 1, 2023: Swift brings her friends to the match

At MetLife Stadium, Swift turned the Chiefs vs. Jets matchup into a star-studded outing. The Love story hit maker bought her celebrity friends with her including, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Sabrina Carpenter, and Sophie Turner.

October 4, 2023: Travis reacts to NFL’s coverage of their romance

Kelce addressed his then rumoured romance in an episode of New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce podcast.

He said, "I think it’s fun when they show who was at the game. I think it brings a little bit more to the atmosphere, brings a little bit more to what you’re watching. But at the same time I think-"

"They're overdoing it," Jason chimed in.

After this episode the NFL made a statement to PEOPLE clearing their perspective, "We frequently change our bios and profile imagery based on what’s happening in and around our games, as well as culturally.”

They continued, "The Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce news has been a pop cultural moment we’ve leaned into in real time, as it’s an intersection of sport and entertainment, and we’ve seen an incredible amount of positivity around the sport."

"The vast majority of our content has remained focused on the game, our players and variety of other initiatives, including our Toy Story Funday Football alt-cast, the international games and more," the statement concluded.

October 6, 2023: Mama Kelce weighs in

Donna Kelce told PEOPLE she wasn’t a Swiftie before meeting Taylor, but admitted, “Talent is talent.”

October 14, 2023: Holding hands in NYC

After surprise cameos on SNL, Taylor and Travis were photographed holding hands at the afterparty.

A source told PEOPLE about their outing, “Taylor and Travis were there all night and they were so smiley, they were so happy.”

During another episode of NFL star’s podcast, he said, "I feel like whenever I'm on a date I'm always having the sense of like, I'm a man in the situation, I'm like protective, yeah for sure. You always kind of have that feeling — or that self-awareness, I guess."

October 23, 2023: Instagram soft launch

Taylor was spotted kissing Kelce on the cheek in photos posted by a teammate’s girlfriend. The pair also enjoyed a cozy dinner date in Missouri.

November 11, 2023: Taylor sings “Karma Is the guy on the chiefs”

In Buenos Aires, Swift changed her “Karma” lyrics to,“Karma is the guy on the Chiefs coming straight home to me.”

Kelce, sitting beside her dad in the VIP section, beamed with pride.

After the show the singer ran into the Kelce's arms backstage and gave him a kiss. An insider revealed to PEOPLE that, “The NFL star is a gentleman. “He is very focused on his career. He has a great relationship with his family. He has an amazing energy and approach to life.”

The source further added, “It all feels very special."

November 20, 2023: Travis Kelce credits a “Cupid”

“There were definitely people she knew that knew who I was. I had somebody playing Cupid,” Kelce told WSJ. Magazine, sharing how their romance really took off.

He shared to the outlet, “Everybody knows I’m a family guy. Her team is her family. Her family does a lot of stuff in terms of the tour, the marketing, being around, so I think she has a lot of those values as well, which is right up my alley.”

December 6, 2023: Swift speaks out for the first time

In her TIME Person of the Year interview, Swift revealed it all started when Kelce “adorably” put her on blast on his podcast. She clarified they were already dating before her first Chiefs game, “We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date.”

December 25, 2023: Christmas with the Swifts

Taylor brought her family to Arrowhead Stadium to spend Christmas Day cheering on Travis, marking a big step in their relationship. After the game, the couple left the stadium holding hands.

February 11, 2024: Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl

Swift showed up in Chiefs-inspired accessories, including a custom #87 necklace. After Kelce’s Super Bowl win, the two shared a celebratory kiss on the field and partied until 5 a.m.

April 19, 2024: Taylor Swift sings about Travis Kelce on The Tortured Poets Department

When Swift released The Tortured Poets Department album her fans thought that Swift was singing about Kelce on some songs.

May 23, 2024: Patrick Mahomes played a "matchmaker"

Patrick Mahomes appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and revealed that he played a matchmaker’s role in Swift and Kelce love story.

He said, "I was the one who invited Travis to the first Taylor concert when the friendship bracelet [idea came up]. He was sitting in my suite, so I feel like I was the matchmaker."

June 22–23, 2024: Instagram official and onstage together

Taylor finally went Instagram official with Travis in a selfie alongside Prince William and his kids. The next night, Kelce shocked Swifties by joining her onstage at the Eras Tour, playfully carrying her during a skit.

September 11, 2024: Swift shouts out Kelce at the VMAs

While receiving an award for Fortnight, Swift made an acceptance speech in which she shared a sweet shout-out for Kelce, “The thing is, this video seems very sad when you watch it, but actually it was like, the most fun video to make,” she said.

“Something that I’ll always remember is that when I would finish a take and I’d say ‘Cut,’ and we’d be done with that take, I would always just hear someone like, cheering, and like, ‘Woo!’ Like from across the studio where we were shooting it and that one person was my boyfriend Travis.”

She added, "Everything this man touches turns to happiness and fun and magic so I want to thank him for adding that to our shoot, because I’ll always remember that.”

December 18, 2024: Kelce throws Swift a surprise party

Kelce celebrated Swift's $2 billion Eras Tour milestone with a surprise bash filled with family, friends, and props inspired by her shows.

June 24, 2025: Red Carpet debut

The couple made their red carpet debut at Tight End University in Nashville, where Swift also surprised fans with a performance of Shake It Off.

August 26, 2025: Engagement announcement:

After two years of public romance, Travis got down on one knee in a floral-filled proposal. The couple shared a joint Instagram post with the caption, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”

Swift’s engagement ring, designed with jeweller Kindred Lubeck, features an Old Mine brilliant cut diamond.

From bracelets to forever:

What started as a failed attempt to pass a friendship bracelet turned into a romance that captured the world’s attention. With football, music, and a whole lot of love, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have officially written their ultimate love story.