Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is poised to grace Las Vegas for the highly anticipated Feb. 11 Super Bowl clash against the San Francisco 49ers. However, the burning question of whether his girlfriend, global pop sensation Taylor Swift, will also make an appearance remains a suspenseful game-time decision.
Swift’s presence in the stands during the Chiefs’ 17-10 triumph over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, complete with an embrace and kiss for her victorious boyfriend, ignited speculation about the potential attendance of one of the world’s top-selling recording artists at Allegiant Stadium.
A regular attendee at Chiefs games throughout the season, Swift’s participation in the grandest game of all hangs in the balance due to conflicting commitments with her “Eras Tour,” scheduled to feature a performance in Tokyo on Feb. 10, the night before the Super Bowl.
Despite the time difference, Swift could potentially make it to Las Vegas for the kickoff on Sunday. However, she would then need to hastily board a plane for three concerts in Melbourne, Australia, beginning Feb. 16.
In a bid to cater to fans flying to the Super Bowl, United Airlines announced on Monday the addition of extra direct flights to Las Vegas. These flights, bearing designations like UA1989, UA2287, and UA1587, pay homage to significant elements such as Swift’s birth year, her hit song “22,” and Kelce’s jersey number, respectively.
United Airlines, aiming to maintain neutrality, also revealed plans for additional direct flights from San Francisco and San Jose, each tailored with themes representing the 49ers.
The romance between two influential figures in American pop culture, the Kelce-Swift union, has proven to be a goldmine for the National Football League (NFL). The relationship has generated heightened interest across social media platforms and led to increased merchandise sales, with Swift’s legion of fans, known as ‘Swifties,’ playing a significant role.
In September, sports merchandise retailer Fanatics, the NFL’s official e-commerce partner, reported a staggering 400% surge in sales of Travis Kelce jerseys on its websites.
The Kelce-Swift phenomenon even translated into one of the most popular Halloween costumes of 2023, highlighting the magnetic appeal of this power couple. Swift’s unparalleled fame brings megawatt star power that is virtually unprecedented, potentially making the upcoming Super Bowl the most-watched in history with her mere presence in Las Vegas.
According to research conducted by Apex Marketing Group, the love story has added millions of dollars in brand value to the Chiefs and the NFL. Apex president Eric Smallwood noted, “Taylor Swift’s association with Travis Kelce and appearances at the Chiefs game has generated an equivalent brand value of $331.5 million for the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL.” The equivalent brand value is calculated from exposure received between Sept. 24 and Jan. 22 through various media channels, including TV, radio, newsprint, digital news, and social media.
