The 2026 Super Bowl kicked off last night with a glaring absence: Taylor Swift was nowhere to be seen.
While the nation turned its eyes toward Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, one headline-grabbing couple was only halfway present.
NFL star Travis Kelce was spotted last night enjoying a pre-game bash in San Francisco with his inner circle. But one person was missing from the scene - his fiancée, Taylor Swift.
Kelce was later seen making his way into Levi’s Stadium for the main event, flying solo yet again. Swift, notably, didn’t join him for the evening, per Harpers Bazaar.
No Game, No Gig - And No Taylor Swift
Kelce wasn’t there to play - just to show support.
After the Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Los Angeles Chargers in the playoffs, the team was knocked out of Super Bowl contention.
Without Kelce on the field, Swift had little reason to attend. Her past two appearances at the big game - 2024 and 2025 - were all about cheering on her now-fiancé.
And it’s not like she’s been idle. Swift recently dropped her buzz-worthy, cameo-filled music video for 'Opalite', giving fans plenty to talk about outside the football world.
A Sweet Tribute to Swift at the “Tight Ends & Friends” Bash
Even though she wasn’t physically present, Swift was still on Kelce’s mind. At the “Tight Ends & Friends” event on Thursday night, the tight end made his affection known.
While working the DJ booth, Kelce spun his fiancée’s moody track 'The Fate of Ophelia', making it clear she was top of mind - even from afar.
Why Swift Didn’t Perform at This Year’s Halftime Show
Another reason for Swift’s absence? She didn’t land the coveted halftime slot. That honor this year went to Latin megastar Bad Bunny.
Swift addressed this very topic during a sit-down with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show. While she confirmed the NFL never made an official offer, Swift also explained her personal hesitation to headline the halftime stage.
“I am in love with a guy who does that sport on that actual field. That is violent chess. That is gladiators without swords. That is dangerous,” Swift said, referring to Kelce.
She elaborated on her reasoning, saying: “The whole season I am locked in on what that man is doing on the field. Can you imagine if he was out there every single week, putting his life on the line, doing this very dangerous, very high-pressure, high-intensity sport, and I’m like, ‘I wonder what my choreo should be?’”