It happened on a Monday night in Beverly Hills. While most of us were probably staring at our fridges wondering what to cook, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were pulling up to Funke, the pasta hotspot on Santa Monica Blvd. This marks the first major taylor swift sighting of 2026, and honestly, the internet is acting exactly how you’d expect.
The energy was different this time.
Usually, when we see them, it’s in the middle of a high-stakes NFL season or a world tour. But the Kansas City Chiefs were eliminated from the playoffs back on December 14 after a tough loss to the Chargers. For the first time since they started dating, they have actual free time. No games. No stadium stages. Just a quiet dinner in L.A.
The Details of the Taylor Swift Sighting at Funke
Let’s talk about the look. Taylor wasn't in her usual game-day red. She wore an oversized gray blazer and a white skirt—a very "I'm in my L.A. era" vibe. Travis leaned into the West Coast aesthetic too, sporting a green, brown, and tan bowling shirt with neutral trousers. They were spotted heading from an SUV straight to the elevator.
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- Location: Funke, Beverly Hills
- Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
- The Vibe: Low-key but polished
People are obsessing over the fact that they were holding hands. It sounds small, but in the world of celebrity gossip, every finger placement is a headline. There’s been some chatter online about Travis looking "annoyed" in some of the Backgrid photos, but let’s be real—who wouldn't look a bit over it with flashbulbs in their face at dinner time?
The Sourdough Secret
A few days before the Funke appearance, another mini taylor swift sighting of sorts happened. On Friday, January 9, Taylor’s friends—the Haim sisters and Danielle Haim—were seen leaving the Bird Streets Club. They weren't just carrying purses; they had loaves of sourdough bread.
The bread had handwritten labels. Swifties immediately clocked the handwriting as Taylor's. She’s been vocal about her baking obsession since the Eras Tour wrapped, even mentioning it on a New Heights podcast episode back in August 2025. It seems her "hibernation" involves feeding her inner circle artisan carbs.
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Why This Sighting Actually Matters for 2026
This isn't just about a pasta dinner. It’s about the "What’s Next?"
Travis Kelce is currently 36. He’s been in the league for 13 years. On the latest episode of New Heights, he mentioned he’s taking time to "figure out what I'm gonna do next in terms of my future in football." Rumors are swirling that he’s in talks with Netflix for a massive broadcasting deal. If he retires, these L.A. sightings are going to become the new normal.
- The Career Shift: Travis might be transitioning from the field to the booth.
- The Documentary Success: Taylor’s Disney+ docuseries, The End of an Era, just dropped last month. It's already sparking massive trends, including a literal nationwide sell-out of Sancerre wine after fans spotted a bottle in episode five.
- The Engagement Talk: People (and by people, I mean the entirety of Twitter) are still convinced a wedding at Ocean House in Rhode Island is on the horizon for later this year.
Breaking Down the Wardrobe
Marie Claire recently speculated that Taylor might be eyeing Spring 2026 runway looks from designers like David Koma and Gabriela Hearst for her upcoming "Life of a Showgirl" press tour. This sighting at Funke supports that shift toward a more "structured" fashion sense. The blazer wasn't just a jacket; it felt like a business meeting outfit.
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What the Fans are Getting Wrong
There's a lot of misinformation floating around every time there's a taylor swift sighting. Some TikTok "experts" claimed the couple was at the Golden Globes after-parties on Sunday night.
They weren't.
Neither Taylor nor Travis attended the ceremony or the parties. Taylor hasn't been to a Golden Globes after-party since 2020. They’re clearly choosing privacy over red carpets right now. Also, for those wondering about the "concern" over Travis’s mood—the man just missed the playoffs for the first time in years. He’s allowed to not grin 24/7 while walking to an elevator.
Actionable Insights for the Swiftie Community
If you’re trying to keep up with the next taylor swift sighting or just want to live like "Blondie" for a day, here is what you can actually do:
- Check the Sancerre: If you’re a wine drinker, look for Terres Blanches Sancerre. It’s the bottle from the documentary that’s currently impossible to find in most US cities.
- Bake the Bread: Taylor’s sourdough recipe hasn't been leaked, but her love for "handwritten labels" is a great DIY gift idea for your own friend group.
- Watch the Documentary: The End of an Era on Disney+ is the best source for seeing her creative process behind the scenes.
- Monitor New Heights: That’s where the real retirement news will break. Travis has promised to be transparent with fans before free agency opens up.
This L.A. trip seems like a strategic "soft launch" of their life as a non-football couple. Whether Travis signs that Netflix deal or Taylor announces her next project, they’re clearly enjoying the downtime in Beverly Hills. Keep an eye on the West Hollywood hotspots; this likely won't be the last time we see them out this month.