Taylor Swift Shines as a Proud Kansas City Chiefs Fan in ESPN’s The Kingdom

Pop superstar supports Travis Kelce and Chiefs legacy in new docuseries

Taylor Swift is proving once again that her love for the Kansas City Chiefs runs deeper than game-day outfits and stadium appearances. The 35-year-old global icon not only showed her support for the NFL franchise’s recently released ESPN docuseries, The Kingdom, but also gave her full approval to be featured in it, according to director Kristen Lappas.

The six-part series chronicles the Chiefs’ 2024 season, spotlighting key figures like Travis Kelce, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, defensive tackle Chris Jones, and legendary head coach Andy Reid. One memorable segment takes viewers inside SubTropolis, an underground cave preserving decades of the team’s history.

Taylor Swift’s subtle but powerful presence

While the filmmakers did not pursue an interview with Swift, she still plays a part in the story. Chiefs Chief Marketing Officer Lara Krug explained that Swift wanted her presence to reflect her role as a genuine fan:
“Now you see her in the way that I think is how she wanted to be seen, which is as a fan of the community,” Krug shared.

The Kingdom, produced by Words + Pictures in association with Skydance Sports, NFL Films, 2PM Productions, and Foolish Club Studios, has been described as a tribute to the Chiefs franchise since its founding in 1959. Chiefs CEO and Chairman Clark Hunt praised the project for honoring “everyone who has helped shape the team’s legacy.”

Taylor Swift’s influence on NFL fandom

Swift’s connection with the Chiefs became public in 2023, when her relationship with Kelce made headlines. Since then, her presence has been impossible to ignore — from her vibrant red-and-gold game-day looks to her high-profile Super Bowl appearances.

Her impact has gone beyond the sidelines. Hunt revealed earlier this year that the team’s fan base grew by an estimated 30%, crediting Swift for helping drive record-breaking viewership and particularly boosting interest among young female fans. “You definitely have to give Taylor a little bit of credit,” Hunt told CNBC Sports.

Chiefs players recall their first Swift moment

The docuseries also captures candid reactions from the Chiefs locker room when Swift attended her first game at Arrowhead Stadium in September 2023. Chris Jones recalled the excitement:
“We were in the locker room like, ‘Taylor Swift’s here? With Travis? Oh my God!’ We were all shocked that Travis pulled Taylor Swift.”

Mahomes added that Kelce had given him a heads-up about her attendance, but the stadium energy was undeniable: “You could see people gravitating to where she was. At the same time, we had business to handle.”

Back to football

Meanwhile, Kelce has returned to the field, making his 2025 preseason debut against the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead on Aug. 22. His performance marked a fresh start ahead of another promising NFL season.

All six episodes of The Kingdom are now available to stream on ESPN+, blending sports, history, and a touch of pop-culture magic — with Taylor Swift right at the heart of the Chiefs’ story.