So, you’re wondering exactly how long the world’s most famous "tight end and pop star" duo has been a thing. It feels like they’ve been dominating the headlines for a decade, doesn’t it? But if we’re looking at the calendar in early 2026, we’re actually coming up on about two and a half years of "Tayvis."
Honestly, the timeline is a bit more complicated than that first game at Arrowhead where she wore the red windbreaker.
Most people point to September 2023 as the start. That’s when the internet basically imploded because Taylor Swift showed up in a suite with Mama Donna Kelce. But if you listen to Taylor herself—specifically her Time Person of the Year interview—she admitted they were already a full-on couple by then. They’d been "hanging out" for a significant amount of time before the public ever caught a whiff of it.
The "Summer of 87" Kickoff
It all traces back to July 2023. Travis Kelce, being the boldly confident guy he is, went to the Eras Tour at Arrowhead Stadium. He had a friendship bracelet. He had his phone number on it. He failed to give it to her.
"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 joked on his New Heights podcast shortly after. He said he "took it personal" that he couldn't meet her.
That podcast aired on July 26, 2023. Not long after that "call out," they started talking. According to the timeline Taylor confirmed, they had a "significant" period of privacy. They were getting to know each other without the paparazzi, the NFL cameras, or the Swifties tracking their every move. By the time she showed up to watch the Chiefs play the Bears on September 24, 2023, they weren't on a first date. They were already "an item."
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If you calculate from that late summer 2023 start, they have been together for roughly 29 months as of January 2026.
That is over two years of high-profile dates, Super Bowl wins, and international tour stops. They aren't just "dating" anymore, either. If you haven't checked the news lately, they officially leveled up. After a whirlwind 2024 where Travis was practically a permanent fixture on the European leg of the Eras Tour (even appearing on stage at Wembley!), the couple announced their engagement in August 2025.
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The announcement came through a joint Instagram post that sent the internet into another tailspin. The caption? "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married." Classic.
The Milestones That Defined the Years
People often forget how much has happened in such a short window. It wasn't just a few football games.
- Late Summer 2023: The "quiet" beginning after the podcast heard 'round the world.
- September 2023: The public hard-launch at Arrowhead.
- November 2023: The "Karma is the guy on the Chiefs" lyric change in Buenos Aires.
- February 2024: The iconic Super Bowl LVIII field kiss after the Chiefs beat the 49ers.
- June 2024: Travis makes his Eras Tour debut in London, carrying Taylor across the stage in a tuxedo.
- August 2025: The engagement announcement after two years of dating.
- Late 2025: Taylor releases her 12th studio album, The Life of the Showgirl, which fans (obviously) believe is heavily inspired by her life with Travis.
Where They Stand Right Now (January 2026)
As of right now, things are a little more low-key, which is saying something for them. The 2025-2026 NFL season was a bit of a grind for Travis. The Chiefs actually missed the playoffs this year with a 6-11 record—a rarity for the Mahomes-Kelce era.
Because of that, Travis is currently 36 and facing some pretty loud retirement rumors. Reports from insiders suggest that because of this career crossroads, they’ve actually put the "big" wedding planning on a bit of a pause. Don't worry, the ring is still very much on. They were just spotted looking incredibly happy at a dinner in Beverly Hills a few days ago.
Word is they aren't even halfway through a guest list yet. They’re "savoring the engagement" rather than stressing over seating charts for a June 2026 wedding. Honestly, after the last two years of being the most watched couple on the planet, who can blame them for wanting to just exist for a second?
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the "Tayvis" lore or wondering what's next, here is what to keep an eye on:
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- Watch the "New Heights" Podcast: This remains the most reliable source for actual info. Travis and Jason usually drop the biggest breadcrumbs there.
- The March Decision: Travis’s contract situation with the Chiefs comes to a head in March 2026. If he retires, expect wedding planning to accelerate immediately.
- The Rhode Island Rumors: While nothing is confirmed, Watch Hill, RI (where Taylor’s famous "Holiday House" is) remains the frontrunner for a potential ceremony.
They’ve been together for two and a half years, and despite the "PR stunt" skeptics from back in 2023, they've proven to be one of the most durable pairings in Hollywood. Or the NFL. Or wherever they decide to land next.