NEED TO KNOW
Travis Kelce has returned to the field for the first game of his 13th NFL season
The tight end and his fellow Kansas City Chiefs kicked off the 2025-2026 season with a preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, Aug. 9
Travis spent his offseason in the gym, working to get leaner and faster, and on trips with girlfriend Taylor Swift
One half of America’s favorite couple is back on the gridiron!
Travis Kelce, returning from a whirlwind offseason, kicked off his 13th season in the NFL as he and the Kansas City Chiefs opened their preseason with a game against the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., on Saturday, Aug. 9.
The number 13 happens to have a special connection to Travis’ girlfriend, Taylor Swift. The pop superstar, whose birthday is Dec. 13, considers 13 to be her lucky number and has featured it in her song lyrics, music videos and more.
The Chiefs got off to a roaring start in the game, with Jason Brownlee scoring a touchdown just minutes into the first quarter. As the wide receiver — who is playing his first season with the Chiefs — celebrated with a little dance by the end zone, several of his teammates, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Travis, 35, could be seen high-fiving him.
The Chiefs shared a video of the moment on X, captioning the post, “First celly of the year.”
First celly of the year 😮💨#ForTheCelly | @budlight pic.twitter.com/TGcHn9D8I1
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 10, 2025
Travis spent the offseason focused on getting leaner and faster, and told reporters in May that he had dropped 25 lbs. Head coach Andy Reid noted Travis’ improved fitness in a training camp press conference on July 24, saying, “He looks like he’s 20. He’s doing a great job. He’s in great shape.”
Gregory Shamus/Getty
Jalen Hurts and Travis Kelce after Super Bowl LIX in Las Vegas on Feb. 9, 2025
Since the Chiefs’ crushing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX back in February, Travis has largely kept a low profile, focusing on workouts and occasional trips and outings with Swift, 35.
Notably, he attended his annual Tight End University training camp, and Swift made a special appearance at the event. He also recorded new episodes of his podcast, New Heights, with his brother, Jason Kelce, and appeared in Happy Gilmore 2, making a cameo alongside a star-studded cast.
On July 24, Travis “hard-launched” his relationship with Swift by featuring her on his Instagram for the first time in their two years together. He wrote in the caption, “Had some adventures this offseason, kept it 💯.”
The Chiefs’ official Instagram account shared some love, commenting on the post: “Things we love to see: travis happy 🥹❤️.”
Netlfix; Gotham/GC Images
Travis Kelce in ‘Happy Gilmore 2’; Kelce with Taylor Swift in 2023.
Swift, who attended 10 Chiefs games in the 2024-25 season, did not appear to be in attendance at Saturday’s game in Arizona.
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The Chiefs will play their first preseason home game on Aug. 22 against the Chicago Bears, and their regular-season opener will take place on Sept. 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil.
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