The “New Heights” podcast, which launched in September 2022 with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce at the helm, has already welcomed an impressive roster of guests. Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and even NFL commissioner Roger Goodell have all sat down with the brothers. But this Wednesday’s episode promises something different entirely—pop icon Taylor Swift will be joining the conversation.
Swift and Kelce: A Long-Awaited Podcast Moment
Fans who’ve been tracking the cultural phenomenon that is Swift and Kelce have been waiting for this moment. Monday brought confirmation via a 13-second teaser from the “New Heights” team, officially announcing Swift as their special guest. The timing felt deliberate—at exactly 12:12 a.m. on August 12, they dropped another clip promoting Swift’s forthcoming 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.”
When Entertainment and Athletics Collide
What Swift and Travis Kelce represent goes beyond celebrity romance—they embody the blurring lines between sports and entertainment culture. Swift’s regular appearances at Chiefs games have become as noteworthy as Kelce’s ventures into Hollywood, including his stint as a waiter in Netflix’s “Happy Gilmore 2” this past July, not to mention his growing podcast empire.
Their story began when Kelce attended Swift’s Eras Tour show at Arrowhead Stadium in July 2023. During a podcast episode, he revealed his plan to give Swift a friendship bracelet with his phone number—a gesture that captured public imagination. After months of speculation, Swift appeared at her first Chiefs game in September 2023, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Stepping Into the Spotlight Together
Since going public, the couple has embraced joint appearances with increasing frequency. Kelce surprised audiences by dancing during one of Swift’s London Eras Tour performances, while Swift made an unexpected appearance at Kelce’s “Tight End University” event in June 2025. Kelce’s Instagram has also become a window into their relationship, with several personal photos of Swift shared during the offseason.
Players Embrace Swift’s NFL Connection
When The Athletic polled 102 NFL players anonymously last year, the results spoke volumes about Swift’s reception within the league. A substantial 72.5% felt her presence at Chiefs games was beneficial for the NFL, while only 4.9% viewed it negatively. The remaining players remained neutral on the matter.
The Swift Effect on NFL Viewership
Swift’s connection to NFL culture sparked measurable changes in league engagement. Social media platforms saw triple-digit growth across multiple channels, according to NFL senior vice president of social and influencer marketing Ian Trombetta. This surge helped attract younger, more diverse audiences while creating better gender balance in viewership.
Kelce Opens Up About Life with Swift
Beyond podcast appearances, Travis Kelce recently offered insights into his relationship during a September GQ cover story. He discussed the unique challenges of dating another public figure and praised Swift’s professional dedication. Perhaps most tellingly, Kelce revealed how he’d transformed Swift into a genuine football enthusiast.
“I sort of made her a football fan,” Kelce explained. “She’s the most engaged fan now. She knows what injury reports look like and understands special situations, like third-and-short — all these things, because she naturally loves hearing about my job.”
Swift’s Rare Return to Podcasting
Wednesday’s episode, dropping at 7 p.m. ET, marks a significant moment for Swift fans. The singer has largely avoided podcast interviews in recent years, with her last major appearance dating back to 2020 on “The Zane Lowe Interview Series” after receiving Apple Music’s Songwriter of the Year recognition.
(Photo: Emily Curiel / The Kansas City Star / Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
