Taylor Swift’s music was NOT played at Arrowhead Stadium last season out of respect to Travis Kelce’s relationship with the singer, reveals Kansas City Chiefs president

For all of the Taylor Swift buzz at Arrowhead Stadium in 2023, the pop singer’s music was never actually a part of it.

As revealed by Chiefs president Mark Donovan at this week’s World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles, the team’s operations staff deliberately chose not to play Swift songs at home games this season.

‘We didn’t play a single Taylor Swift song during the season,’ Donovan told attendees, as quoted by Joe Favorito, a publicist, marketing consultant and professor. 

As he explained, the decision had more to do with appeasing her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, rather than Swift herself.

‘We made it clear to Travis that we were going to be respectful of his relationship from Day 1 and make sure we didn’t create intentional distractions,’ Donovan said.

Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes react in front of Jackson Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium 

Fans hold large pictures of Travis Kielce and Taylor Swift during an NFL game on December 31

While the team avoided intentional distractions, fans (specifically Swifties) made her a constant theme for much of the Chiefs’ latest Super Bowl run.

Signs such as ‘I AM HERE FOR TAYLOR SWIFT!’ and ‘IN MY FROZEN ERA’ were seen at chilly Arrowhead this season as the pop star enjoyed the warmer confines of the luxury suites.

Swift began dating Kelce after he said on his ‘New Heights’ podcast that he had tried and failed to give her a friendship bracelet during her performance at Arrowhead Stadium. Kelce then invited her to watch him perform at the home of the Chiefs, and she surprisingly showed up for their Week 2 game against Chicago.

Swift soon became a regular at games, both home and away, frequently sitting with Brittany Mahomes, the wife of Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Swift occasionally brought along friends, including Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds.

A Kansas City Chiefs fan holds a sign that says In My Frozen Era, in reference to Taylor Swift

‘Having Taylor as a new Chiefs fan is very unique,’ Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said during Super Bowl week.

‘I don’t ever do an interview without someone asking me about it. I think a lot of players and coaches on the team are in the same boat. 

‘The most important thing is we’re happy for the two of them that they have found each other and have such a special relationship.’

Asked to explain the intense interest during Super Bowl week, Kelce replied: ‘I think the values we stand for and just who we are as people — we love to shine light on others, shine light on the people that help and support us, and on top of that, I think we both just love life.’