Bracing For Impact

The Chiefs are missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014, marking the end of an epic 10-year journey. Along that journey, an unexpected but known face entered the spotlight, Taylor Swift. She has brought the spotlight to the football scene, boosting ratings 50% per game since she started attending games in 2023.

The Taylor Swift Effect

The “Swift Effect” has been a real treat for the NFL, bringing in a new viewership that they struggled to obtain for many years. The female viewership ages 18-49 has risen 63%, while in-game experiences has risen 53%. Getting a whole new set of eyes on the game.

But that’s not all, Travis Kelce (Taylor Swift’s significant other) and the Chiefs have been seeing their popularity skyrocket. The Chiefs sold more tickets in a single day than at any point now or in the past, and Kelce’s jersey sales jumped a full 400% since. Even Kelce’s podcast has seen the effect, charting as the #1 on Apple Podcasts.

Writting On The Wall

The NFL is preparing for what could come from the Chiefs not making the playoffs. While the NFL’s postseason remains one of the strongest properties in sports television, the absence of Swift removes a rare external catalyst that pushed regular-season and early playoff games beyond traditional football audiences, something the NFL has never seen before.