Travis Kelce, a Cleveland native, took advantage of the Kansas City Chiefs’ bye week to spend a weekend in New York with his girlfriend, Taylor Swift. The couple extended their break into Monday by attending Game 1 of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Despite some criticism for not wearing team paraphernalia that night, Kelce celebrated the Guardians’ victory in Game 3 on Thursday. He expressed his dedication to Cleveland sports teams in a social media post and emphasized that he has been a lifelong fan, regardless of what he wears to games.
The ALCS then shifted back to Cleveland for Game 3, where the Guardians won in a thrilling 10-inning game with a game-ending home run by David Fry. This victory was their first win in the best-of-seven series, which resumes Friday with the Yankees leading two games to one. Kelce savored the win with a social media post, defending his loyalty to Cleveland sports teams despite not wearing team gear at the game. His teammate, Patrick Mahomes, also showed his support for Cleveland by tweeting “Go @Royals” in response to the game.
MLB’s postseason is currently experiencing high viewership numbers, in part due to the combination of geographical rivalries, star power, and evenly matched Division Series matchups. The Division Series ratings were the best in seven years, aided by having celebrities like Kelce and Swift closely following the games. MLB reposted a summary of the Kelce-Mahomes postgame exchange to its official Instagram account, highlighting the attention that celebrity involvement brings to the sport.
Kelce and Swift had previously been spotted in New York attending the men’s singles final at the U.S. Open with Mahomes and his wife. The couple’s presence at the ALCS games adds to the celebrity appeal of the postseason, drawing more attention to the league. Despite being the underdog in the ALCS against the Yankees, the Guardians were able to secure a victory in Game 3, much to the delight of Kelce and other Cleveland sports fans. Kelce’s social media posts and Mahomes’ support for the Royals further emphasized their loyalty to their respective hometown teams.
Overall, Kelce’s weekend in New York with Swift followed by attending the ALCS games not only provided a break for the Chiefs player but also showcased his support for Cleveland sports teams. The couple’s involvement in the postseason and the attention it brings to MLB, combined with strong viewership numbers, have contributed to the excitement of the current playoff season. As the ALCS continues, Kelce and other fans will be eagerly watching to see if the Guardians can overcome the Yankees and advance in the series.
