Honestly, if you've spent even ten minutes on the internet lately, you know the narrative. Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs' superstar tight end, is currently one-half of the most famous couple on the planet. But before the friendship bracelets and the Eras Tour, Kelce’s love life was a bit of a chaotic journey through reality TV sets and long-term breakups.
People always ask: how many girlfriends has Travis Kelce had? It’s a trick question because the answer depends on whether you count "rumored flings" or "serious commitments."
If we are talking about the women who officially held the title of "girlfriend," the number is actually surprisingly small. We are looking at three major relationships that have defined his public persona before he popped the question to a certain billionaire pop star.
The Reality TV Experiment: Maya Benberry
Before he was a three-time Super Bowl champion, Travis Kelce was the star of an E! Entertainment reality show called Catching Kelce in 2016. It was basically The Bachelor, but for football. He had to choose between 50 women, one from every state.
Maya Benberry, representing Kentucky, was the one who "caught" him.
But here is the thing: reality TV isn't exactly a stable foundation for a lifelong bond. They dated for about eight months after the cameras stopped rolling. By early 2017, they were over. It wasn't exactly a clean break, either. Maya later took to social media and interviews, hinting at infidelity and calling out Travis for moving on too quickly. Whether that was just post-show drama or something deeper, it set a "player" narrative that stuck with him for years.
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The Long Haul: Kayla Nicole
If Maya was a whirlwind, Kayla Nicole was the real deal. Starting in 2017, the sports broadcaster and influencer became a staple at Arrowhead Stadium. They were "it" for the Kansas City social scene.
They dated on and off for nearly five years. That’s a lifetime in athlete years.
You probably remember the rumors that swirled when they finally called it quits in May 2022. There was a weird, viral narrative that Travis was "cheap" and made her split every bill 50/50. Kelce eventually addressed this on The Pivot Podcast, basically saying it was all "fake news." He pointed out that Kayla was a successful woman with her own career and that they supported each other naturally.
- 2017: Started dating after Travis "insta-stalked" her.
- 2020: Brief breakup amid cheating rumors (which he denied).
- 2022: The final split that left fans shocked.
The Zuri Hall Rumor Mill
After Kayla, things got a bit murky. In late 2022 and early 2023, fans started seeing Access Hollywood correspondent Zuri Hall in Kelce's VIP suite. Social media went into a full-blown investigative mode.
However, this one is often mislabeled. While many sites list her as an ex-girlfriend, neither of them ever confirmed they were actually "dating." In fact, Zuri later laughed off the rumors during the 2024 Cannes Lions Festival, calling the speculation untrue. So, if you’re counting official girlfriends, she probably doesn't make the cut, though they clearly moved in the same circles for a minute.
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How Many Girlfriends Has Travis Kelce Had (The Official Count)?
When you strip away the tabloid noise and the unverified sightings, Travis Kelce has had three major, public relationships:
- Maya Benberry (2016)
- Kayla Nicole (2017–2022)
- Taylor Swift (2023–Present)
Everything else you hear? Usually just noise.
The transition from Kayla to Taylor wasn't immediate, despite what some "Swifties" or "Snarkers" might tell you. There was a solid year where Travis was basically a bachelor, famously trying (and failing) to give Taylor his phone number on a friendship bracelet during her Kansas City tour stop in July 2023.
The Taylor Swift Era and the 2025 Engagement
We can't talk about his dating history without mentioning how it culminated. After the "shot in the dark" with the friendship bracelet, things moved fast. By September 2023, Taylor was at the games. By 2024, they were the center of the universe.
On August 26, 2025, they finally made it official. Travis proposed with a custom ring, and the internet essentially broke.
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As of January 2026, the two are still very much in the "engagement bubble." While fans are desperate for a summer 2026 wedding in Italy, insiders say they are actually slowing things down. Between Travis figuring out his retirement from the NFL and Taylor’s insane schedule, they aren't even halfway through a guest list yet.
What This Tells Us About Kelce
Looking at this list, it’s clear Travis isn't a "serial dater" in the way the media sometimes portrays athletes. He tends to stay in long-term, high-profile relationships. He’s a guy who likes a partner who can handle the spotlight—someone who has their own thing going on.
Whether it was a reality star, a sports journalist, or a global icon, Kelce has always gravitated toward women who aren't afraid of the cameras.
If you are tracking his history to understand his "red flags," you'll find plenty of conflicting stories. Maya Benberry has been vocal with warnings, while Kayla Nicole has taken a more "protect my peace" approach, moving on with her life. Meanwhile, the current chapter with Taylor seems to be his most stable—and definitely his most documented—yet.
For those looking to keep up with the latest on their wedding plans or his potential retirement, the best source remains his own words on the New Heights podcast. He tends to drop the real truth there, far away from the tabloid speculation.
Keep an eye on the March 2026 NFL contract deadlines. That will likely be the moment we find out if he’s trading the jersey for a wedding tuxedo full-time.