From flings, long-term relationships, and a few rumors, here’s a look at the NFL star’s dating history.
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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce just took their two-year relationship to another level with a shocking engagement announcement on social media.
On Tuesday (Aug. 26), the global superstar and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end shared the news in a joint Instagram post, captioned with the line: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” alongside a snippet of Swift’s song “So High School.”
Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs kisses Taylor Swift after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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The carousel featured Kelce on bended knee beneath a floral arbor and a close-up of Swift’s huge rock. And while fans are still basking in the fairy-tale moment, Swift isn’t the first high-profile woman to capture Kelce’s heart.
From reality TV stars to his most recent long-term love with media personality Kayla Nicole, Kelce’s dating history has been a topic of discussion long before Taylor entered the picture. See below as we explore Travis Kelce’s dating history ahead of the altar.
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Maya Benberry (2016)
Image Credit: Mayabenberry/instagram Maya Benberry dated Travis briefly after winning his reality dating show Chasing Kelce in 2016 and accused him of cheating on her. After learning of his new relationship with Taylor Swift, the former contestant told the Daily Mail, “Taylor seems like such a fun girl with a beautiful spirit, so I wish her the best of luck, but I wouldn’t be a girls’ girl if I didn’t advise her to be smart!”
She added, “I’m sure by now she has mastered the ability to see who is really there for her and who is just using her. I can only hope that she comes out the teacher in this situation and not the student. Only time will tell, but like the saying always goes, once a cheater, always a cheater.”
Sources close to Kelce pushed back against her claims, telling TMZ that he only dated her for a month, and that he never cheated. He claimed that Maya’s comments were “a poor excuse of someone trying to get her 15 minutes of fame.” An insider also told Page Six that the pair “weren’t even together long enough for him to cheat on her,” adding, “they dated literally less than three months, and they were contractually obligated to not announce their breakup.”
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Kayla Nicole (2017-2022)
Image Credit: Michael Kovac/ Getty Images Travis Kelce began dating sports journalist Kayla Nicole in 2017 in an on-again, off-again relationship that ultimately ended in 2022.
Nicole recently opened up about how infidelity in past relationships shaped her emotional journey on her Pre-Game podcast, giving listeners a glimpse into her time with Travis. She also pushed back against critics urging her to “get over” her ex, telling Second Wind that speaking her truth is her “super power.”
Travis Kelce and Kayla Nicole attend the 11th Annual NFL Honors at YouTube Theater on February 10, 2022 in Inglewood, California.
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Interestingly, Nicole has even hinted that Travis’ relationship with Swift may have been a blessing in disguise. On a May podcast episode, she remarked that it’s “so much worse if the guy you loved for so long goes and dates a dud,” adding that it’s easier to process when the “new girl might be popping, might be really hot.”
Fans speculated again about Nicole’s thoughts following Kelce and Swift’s engagement announcement on August 26, 2025. Shortly after their announcement, Nicole took to Instagram Stories, where she reshared a clip of Tracee Ellis Ross discussing the power of joy. “Read about this concept years ago in a book called Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t Enough. I aspire. So so good,” she wrote.
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Zuri Hall (Early 2023)
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Actress and Access Hollywood reporter, Zuri Hall, found herself in the middle of NFL romance rumors after being spotted alongside Travis Kelce’s family at multiple Chiefs games in early 2023. The appearances had fans and tabloids whispering, wondering if a romance was on the horizon.
Despite the speculation and the photo ops that had eyebrows raised, neither Travis nor Zuri ever confirmed if they were actually dating. The rumors were covered heavily in the press at the time, but eventually the reporter shut them down during an interview.
Zuri Hall attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Leon Bennett/Getty Images
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Taylor Swift (2023-Present)
Image Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images From friendship bracelets to engagement rings, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s romance started a little over two years ago. It all started on July 8, 2023, when the NFL star was spotted at Taylor’s Eras Tour, sparking curiosity that would soon turn into more outings. Just weeks later, Travis revealed he’d tried to hand Taylor his phone number via a bracelet as a gift.
By September, Taylor attended Travis’ game and the next day, sources confirmed to PEOPLE that the two were “hanging out.” Soon after, Travis opened up about their future on his podcast two days later, showing fans that this was more than just “getting to know her.” His mom, Donna, even shared that she’d spent time with Taylor, signaling her stamp of approval.
Taylor Swift and Donna Kelce celebrate after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the buf 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.
David Eulitt/Getty Images
In the same month Taylor shut down dating rumors with a kiss in an Instagram photo, while Travis later admitted that he had “somebody playing Cupid” to help get Taylor’s attention. Taylor herself opened up about the relationship for the first time in December, and by Christmas, her family was spending the holiday with Travis.
Over the next year, Taylor attended many games and even cheered Travis on at the 2024 Super Bowl, while Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes later revealed he had played matchmaker. The couple went Instagram official in June 22, 2024, with Travis later cementing their partnership by joining her onstage at her Eras Tour the following day.
The pair made their red carpet debut on June 24, 2025, and after more than two years of public and private moments, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift officially announced their engagement on August 26, 2025.