The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves at a crossroads, currently holding a 5-5 record and teetering outside the AFC playoff picture. With a crucial matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, who lead the AFC South with an 8-2 record, looming at Arrowhead Stadium on November 23, the team faces mounting pressure.
Interestingly, this season's struggles coincide with a noticeable shift in Taylor Swift's attendance at games. The pop superstar, engaged to Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, has opted to attend only half of the games this year, often remaining out of the spotlight during her appearances. At the home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles on September 14, she reportedly made a discreet entrance, hiding behind a moving wall.
Yet, when Swift does show up, the Chiefs seem to thrive. In the five games she attended this season, Kansas City boasts a 4-1 record. In stark contrast, their performance drops to 1-4 when she is absent. This raises an intriguing question: Is Swift a necessary element for the Chiefs to regain their competitive edge?
Since going public with her relationship with Kelce, Swift has been a significant factor in the team's success. The Chiefs won their first four games of the 2023 season with her in attendance. Overall, they achieved a remarkable 10-3 record in games where she was present, including a thrilling 25-22 overtime victory against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.
As the Chiefs embarked on their Super Bowl defense in 2024, Swift continued to be a lucky charm. She attended seven regular-season games, all resulting in victories, and was also present for playoff wins against the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills. However, that winning streak ended with a disappointing loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LX.
Despite that setback, Swift's attendance record remains impressive at 23-5 for games she has attended in person. Her presence has sparked considerable debate among fans, with some expressing frustration over camera cuts to her during games. Swift addressed this backlash after being named Time magazine’s Person of the Year, stating she is “sensitive to the attention” but remains focused on supporting Kelce.
“I’m just there to support Travis,” she remarked. “I have no awareness of if I’m being shown too much and pissing off a few dads, Brads, and Chads.”
With only seven games left in the 2025 season, time is running out for the Chiefs to turn their fortunes around. ESPN’s projection model currently estimates a 44.6 percent chance of missing the playoffs as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Colts. The Chiefs have not missed the playoffs since 2014, which was Kelce’s first full year in the NFL.
If fans wish to see that streak continue, it may be time for them to encourage Taylor Swift to make more appearances at Arrowhead Stadium.
