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If you’re refreshing your feed every five seconds hoping to see a blurry photo of a red-and-gold puffer jacket, I get it. We’ve all been there. But if you’re asking is Taylor Swift at the KC game today, the answer is actually a lot more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no."
In fact, it's a bit of a heartbreaker for the Kansas City faithful.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you look at the NFL playoff bracket, you’ll notice something glaringly obvious and, frankly, a little weird for anyone who has followed the league over the last few years. The Kansas City Chiefs aren't playing.
They’re out.
Why the Chiefs Aren't on Your TV Today
It’s been a rough season for Travis Kelce and the crew. After years of dominating the AFC, the 2025-2026 season didn’t go according to plan. The Chiefs finished with a 6-11 record. It feels surreal even typing that, doesn't it? Because they didn't make the postseason, there is no "KC game" for Taylor to attend today.
While the New England Patriots are hosting the Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears are facing off against the LA Rams in the Divisional Round, Arrowhead Stadium is quiet.
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Honestly, it’s a weird vibe. For the first time in what feels like forever, the road to the Super Bowl doesn't go through Kansas City. That means the "Tay-vis" sightings we’ve grown used to during the winter months are basically non-existent right now.
Where is Taylor Swift instead?
So, if she isn't in a climate-controlled suite in Missouri, where is she?
Well, she’s likely enjoying some much-needed downtime or deep in rehearsals. 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for her. While the original Eras Tour is a core memory for most of us, there have been massive rumors—and some confirmed schedules on the horizon—for what fans are calling "Eras Tour 2.0."
- Rehearsals: Rumors from camp Swift suggest she's back in dance rehearsals for upcoming international dates.
- New Music: There’s always that "TS12" speculation swirling around.
- Travis Time: Since the Chiefs' season ended early on January 4th against the Raiders, Travis actually has a rare "off-season" January.
Instead of seeing them through a broadcast lens on CBS or NBC, the couple has been spotted keeping a much lower profile. They’ve been spending time in both New York and Kansas City, but away from the stadium cameras.
Is Taylor Swift at the KC game today? The confusion explained
I know why you're asking. A year ago today—specifically January 18, 2025—Taylor was the talk of the town. She showed up at Arrowhead for the Divisional Round against the Texans. She even brought Caitlin Clark along. That image of them in the suite went everywhere.
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The internet has a long memory, and sometimes Google's "on this day" features or old TikToks make it feel like it's happening all over again. But that was last year.
Today, the Divisional Round looks like this:
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET)
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET)
Neither of those games involves a certain tight end wearing number 87.
What most people get wrong about her "Game Day" appearances
People assume she’s at every single game, but that was never really the case. Even when the Chiefs were winning, she skipped most of the away games this past season. Security is a massive headache.
According to security experts who have worked with Arrowhead, the logistics of getting her into a stadium are basically a military operation. She’s much more comfortable at home games because the staff knows the drill. Since there are no more home games until next season, the "Swiftie Section" of the NFL is officially on hiatus.
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What’s next for the Chiefs and Taylor?
If you're bummed about the lack of content, don't worry. The NFL off-season is shorter than it looks.
Travis Kelce hasn't officially retired, despite the constant "will he, won't he" chatter. Most insiders expect him to return for at least one more run to try and fix the 6-11 disaster of 2025. As for Taylor, her 2026 schedule kicks into high gear in March with shows starting in Santiago, Chile.
Your Game Day Action Plan:
- Stop looking for her at Arrowhead: The stadium is empty today.
- Watch the Patriots-Texans game: If you want to see who might actually make it to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara.
- Check her official site: If you're looking for tour tickets, the 2026 dates are the place to put your energy, not the NFL standings.
The era of Taylor being a weekly fixture on NFL Sunday is taking a break while the Chiefs rebuild. It sucks for the ratings, but maybe the couple is enjoying the chance to just grab a coffee without 70,000 people watching.