Taylor Swift Reveals Focus on Travis Kelce as Reason for Declining Super Bowl Performance
LOS ANGELES – Taylor Swift addressed long-standing rumors on The Tonight show Starring Jimmy Fallon explaining her decision not to perform at the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show, a slot officially filled by Bad Bunny. Swift clarified she never received a formal offer from Roc Nation, the entertainment programming company for the Super Bowl, only informal inquiries about her potential interest. Though, she emphasized her primary reason for declining stems from her commitment to supporting her fiancé, Kansas City chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, during football season.
The singer explained that even without an official offer, the timing of a Super Bowl performance - announced so early in the NFL season – would be too distracting given Kelce’s demanding and physically risky career. ”I am in love with a guy who does that sport on that actual field,” Swift said. “Like, [professional football] is violent chess. That is gladiators without swords. That is risky. I am, [for] the whole season, locked in on what that man is doing on the field.”
Swift dismissed speculation that rights to her music were a factor, stating she responded to Roc Nation’s inquiries with a “flat ‘No'” when asked about that possibility. She described a collaborative relationship with Roc Nation’s leader, Jay-Z, noting their teams frequently discuss potential opportunities. “They sometimes will call and say, ‘How does she feel about… [she murmurs something vague meaning ‘whatever’]. And that’s not, like, an official offer or a conference-room conversation, more ’How does she feel about it in general?'”
She humorously contrasted the demands of planning a Super Bowl performance with the intensity of supporting Kelce, imagining herself preoccupied with choreography while he’s “putting his life on the line” on the field. ”This has nothing to do with Travis – he would love for me to do it. But I’m just too locked in,” Swift added.
Fans will have to await a future opportunity to see Swift grace the Super Bowl stage.
