Travis Kelce has arrived at Arrowhead ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs’ crucial New Year’s Eve outing against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Chiefs are still yet to clinch a playoff berth after their shock defeat by the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day, which saw Kelce and Co beaten 20-14 in front of their own supporters.
Despite that setback, Kansas City knows that a win or tie against Cincinnati will be enough to seal a place in the playoffs, while defeats elsewhere for the Raiders and the Denver Broncos could get them over the line even if they slump to a second straight loss on Sunday
Kelce will be cheered on from the stands by girlfriend Taylor Swift, who was later seen arriving for her second appearance at Arrowhead in the space of a week.
The pop sensation has been in attendance for three straight Chiefs defeats, having also watched her boyfriend’s team lose against the Buffalo Bills and the Green Bay Packers earlier this month.
That’s Killa Trav to you. pic.twitter.com/QBg25zVCSz
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 31, 2023
Travis Kelce has arrived at Arrowhead ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs’ crucial New Year’s Eve outing against the Cincinnati Bengals
Kelce and the Chiefs are looking to bounce back from their Christmas Day defeat by the Las Vegas Raiders
His girlfriend Taylor Swift was later seen arriving for her second Arrowhead outing in a week
The reigning Super Bowl champions haven’t produced their usual form this season, falling to 9-6 following the Christmas Day loss to the Raiders.
And as their offense has stumbled so has Kelce, with the legendary tight end not proving the same difference-maker he has in recent years.
Amid the Chiefs’ offensive woes, many critics have pointed the finger at Kelce’s new girlfriend Swift – but his trainer, Andrew Spruill, has branded those accusations ‘ludicrous’.
Instead, Spruill, who lives down in Florida, named Kelce’s health as the reason behind his struggles.
‘He started off hurt and missed game one,’ Spruill told the Palm Beach Post. ‘Two days before the game, he hyperextended his knee at practice.’
Kelce suffered a hyperextended knee in practice just days before the Chiefs opener against the Detroit Lions.
Kelce could not inspire his team to victory as they fell to a shock 20-14 by the Raiders
He was initially feared to miss the entire season but in a boost to Kansas City, only ended up being ruled out for the Week 1 loss.
‘He’s been as healthy as you can be for an NFL player for his career,’ Spruill added. ‘Rookie year he missed but hadn’t missed a game until this year.
‘That, plus a new offense, and receivers they have, it hasn’t come together as it was expected to. It definitely put a damper on his typical production.’
Taylor Swift will spend New Year’s Eve in the arms of her boyfriend Travis Kelce after watching his Kansas City Chiefs’ showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
Swift jetted in for her ninth game of the NFL season on Sunday, and was spotted wearing exactly the same jacket that Kelce donned six days ago for his own arrival on Christmas Day.
Swift arrived in a blacked-out sedan, before hopping on her usual golf cart to be taken into the bowels of the stadium, where she will watch her man take on the Bengals – before she is expected to ring in the New Year at a family party at Travis’ $6m mansion.
Fans, unsurprisingly, went crazy for Taylor’s gameday fit, instantly spotting that she appeared to have borrowed Kelce’s jacket.
One took to X to comment: ‘Taylor is wearing Travis’ jacket I’m gonna scream,’ before another added: ‘TAYLOR HAS A WAG JACKET OMG.’
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Taylor Swift grins as she takes in Sunday’s Chiefs-Bengals game from Arrowhead Stadium
Swift has become friendly with the families of Chiefs players amid her romance with Kelce
Swift laughs as she watches the first half of Sunday’s rematch of last year’s AFC title game
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce arrive ahead of Chiefs-Bengals game
Taylor Swift waves at fans as she arrives at Arrowhead wearing Travis Kelce’s Chiefs jacket
Swift arrives at Arrowhead for the Chiefs game against the Bengals on New Year’s Eve
She wore the jacket that Travis modeled for his Christmas Day arrival just seven days ago
Just six days ago, Travis wore the same jacket for his own arrival to a game against the Raiders
Taylor had a braid in her hair, and also swapped her usual skirt for trousers on New Year’s Eve
Travis’ jacket – this time modeled by Taylor – features the Chiefs logo and a Chiefs helmet
Taylor Swift spending New Year’s Eve with the #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/irTNlcw79j
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladdtv) December 31, 2023
Before attention turns to tonight’s celebrations, though, Swift will hope Kelce and his teammates can secure an upturn in form, after losing on Christmas Day against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The defeat marked the third time this season Swift has seen the Chiefs lose, with the popstar herself getting criticized by some for being a ‘distraction’ to the team.
A win over the Bengals will seal a playoff spot for the Super Bowl champions, and give even more cause for celebration at the New Year’s Eve bash.
Travis was earlier spotted in an animal-print tracksuit before Chiefs play Bengals on Sunday
The Chiefs star is set to be watched by girlfriend Swift at Arrowhead Stadium later on Sunday
Swift has been a regular this year, with New Year’s Eve marking her ninth Chiefs game of 2023
Earlier in the day, Kelce was spotted leaving his home to head to Arrowhead, and the Chiefs tight end wore a Bengal tiger-print tracksuit – perhaps an unwise choice as he prepares to face off with the Bengals themselves.
Kelce and Swift have seen a lot of each other over the last few weeks, with the ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ hitmaker spending Christmas Day in a VIP suite at the stadium before a festive bash at Kelce’s house.
On Christmas Day, Kelce and Swift’s fathers Ed and Scott watched the game together, while Swift’s mom Andrea was also in attendance.
The only parent missing on Christmas Day was Donna Kelce, as she spent the day with her other son Jason – and her grandchildren – at the Philadelphia Eagles game.
Kelce’s mom, Donna, was pictured arriving in Kansas City on Friday ahead of the game
The loved-up pair will then ring in the New Year at a family party together after the game
That will change today, though, with Donna jetting across the country to join her youngest son Travis for the end of 2023.
She revealed the news on the New Heights podcast on Wednesday, joining her sons for their popular show to speak about her festive plans.
Swift, meanwhile, is understood to have been back in Nashville with her family for the past few days between Christmas and New Year’s.
She is currently enjoying some time off between dates of her sold-out worldwide Eras Tour show, with the next run coming in Japan in February, before she hits Europe in the summer.