Just in: In a twist straight out of a rom-com, Erin Andrews wasn’t just calling the plays—she was making them. Behind the scenes, the sportscaster quietly set the stage for one of the hottest pairings in pop culture. Here’s how she secretly played cupid for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, turning a casual shout-out into a headline-making romance… Watch below

Just in: In a twist straight out of a rom-com, Erin Andrews wasn’t just calling the plays—she was making them. Behind the scenes, the sportscaster quietly set the stage for one of the hottest pairings in pop culture. Here’s how she secretly played cupid for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, turning a casual shout-out into a headline-making romance… Watch below

In a twist straight out of a rom-com, Erin Andrews wasn’t just calling plays on the sidelines—she was making them off the field. The veteran sportscaster, known for her sharp NFL commentary and vibrant personality, quietly set the stage for one of the most talked-about pairings in pop culture: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. What began as a playful suggestion on her podcast blossomed into a headline-making romance that has captivated fans across music and sports. Here’s the full story of how Andrews secretly played cupid, turning a casual shout-out into a love story for the ages.

The Spark: A Missed Connection at the Eras Tour
The tale begins in July 2023, when Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce attended Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. A self-professed Swiftie, Kelce had a plan: he crafted a friendship bracelet—a nod to Swift’s fan tradition—with his phone number on it, hoping to hand it to the pop superstar. But, as he later shared on his New Heights podcast with brother Jason Kelce, the plan fumbled. Swift’s pre- and post-show rituals meant no meet-and-greet, leaving Kelce “a little butt-hurt” but undeterred.

Kelce’s candid story caught the attention of fans and media alike, but it was Erin Andrews who saw an opportunity. A longtime friend of Kelce’s and a Swift admirer herself, Andrews sensed potential for something special. Little did she know her next move would ignite a spark that would dominate tabloids for years.

The Podcast Plea: Andrews and Thompson Play Matchmaker
On August 3, 2023, Andrews and her Calm Down podcast co-host, fellow sportscaster Charissa Thompson, decided to have some fun with Kelce’s missed connection. In a now-iconic episode, the duo issued a direct appeal to Swift, blending humor with heartfelt endorsement. “Taylor, I don’t know what you’re doing in your life right now besides rocking the world,” Andrews said. “Please, try our friend Travis. He is fantastic. I know we’re not the best of friends, we’re not even friends, but I consider you one. Take us up on this. Go on a date with this guy. Do it for America.”

Thompson chimed in, adding, “Do it for yourself, do it for us, and do it for the people. Because there is no one who would give you a better time than this guy.” The playful pitch was rooted in genuine admiration for Kelce, whom both women described as charismatic, funny, and a perfect match for Swift’s larger-than-life persona. While Andrews and Thompson laughed off their bold suggestion, the internet took notice, and the clip went viral.
The Connection: Swift Takes the Bait
Neither Andrews nor Thompson expected their words to carry much weight, but fate had other plans. Swift, who was wrapping up the U.S. leg of her Eras Tour, reportedly caught wind of Kelce’s bracelet story and the sportscasters’ enthusiastic endorsement. According to Kelce, “somebody playing Cupid” in Swift’s circle alerted her to his interest, and the two began texting shortly after. Their first date took place in New York, a low-key meeting that Kelce later described to WSJ. Magazine as the moment he knew they could have something real.

By September 24, 2023, the world got its first glimpse of their budding romance when Swift attended a Chiefs game against the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium. Sitting in a suite with Kelce’s mom, Donna, Swift cheered animatedly, sparking a media frenzy. Andrews, watching from the sidelines, was thrilled. “I’m the new Bumble,” she joked on the Today show, referencing the dating app. Kelce himself acknowledged the nudge, commenting on Andrews and Thompson’s Instagram repost of the podcast clip: “You two are something else!! I owe you big time!!”

The Full-Circle Moment: Swift’s Nod to Andrews
As Swift and Kelce’s relationship grew, Andrews found herself woven into their story in unexpected ways. On October 12, 2023, Swift attended another Chiefs game, this time wearing a red Chiefs jacket from Andrews’ WEAR by EA clothing line. The jacket, a gift from Andrews, sold out almost instantly after Swift was spotted in it. “I sent her a WEAR team apparel jacket, and she wore it!” Andrews told Today hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, beaming with pride. “I just sent it to her—you never know if people will really wear it—and she showed up with it.”
The gesture was a subtle thank-you from Swift, who later clarified in a Time interview that she and Kelce had been “hanging out” for a while before her first game appearance. “We actually had a significant amount of time that no one knew, which I’m grateful for, because we got to get to know each other,” she said, dispelling rumors that the game was their first date. Andrews’ role, while not the sole catalyst, had undeniably helped nudge them together at the right moment.

The Romance Blossoms: A Cultural Phenomenon
Since that fateful podcast episode, Swift and Kelce have become a cultural juggernaut. From Swift’s game-day appearances—often joined by A-listers like Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds—to Kelce’s trips to her Eras Tour shows in Argentina and London, their mutual support has endeared them to fans. Andrews, a vocal cheerleader, has continued to gush about their chemistry. “I love them so much. I think they are so cute, and I love how they support each other,” she told PEOPLE at the NFL’s Super Bowl shop in New Orleans in February 2025. “I would like a marriage.”

Andrews’ matchmaking didn’t just spark a romance; it bridged two worlds—pop music and professional sports—drawing new fans to both. Swift’s presence at Chiefs games boosted NFL viewership, particularly among young women, while Kelce’s charm introduced football fans to Swift’s music. “I think it’s so cool,” Andrews told The Messenger in November 2023. “It’s great for our sport.”

The Montana Reunion: A Friendship Endures
In March 2025, Andrews shared a full-circle moment with the couple during a snowy getaway in Montana. According to PEOPLE, Swift and Kelce dined with Andrews at the Auric Room at Lone Mountain Ranch, a cozy supper club. “Erin is close friends with Taylor and Travis, and Travis even jokingly credits Erin with encouraging Taylor to date him,” a source told Page Six. The trio’s friendship, rooted in that fateful podcast moment, remains strong, with Andrews staying a trusted confidante.
Reflecting on her role, Andrews has stayed humble. “We just advocated for a friend,” she told PEOPLE in July 2024, recalling her Eras Tour experience in London, where she saw Kelce join Swift on stage. “We didn’t set them up. We just thought they would be such a fun match.” Yet fans, and even Kelce himself, continue to credit her for planting the seed.

The Legacy of a Playful Pitch
Erin Andrews may not have expected her lighthearted plea to spark a global phenomenon, but her instincts proved spot-on. By championing her friend Travis Kelce and admiring Taylor Swift’s star power, she helped write the opening chapter of a love story that shows no signs of slowing down. From podcast banter to Super Bowl suites, Andrews’ role as cupid has earned her a permanent place in Swiftie and Chiefs Kingdom lore.

As Swift and Kelce continue to navigate their high-profile romance, Andrews remains their biggest fan—and perhaps their future wedding officiant, if her dreams come true. For now, she’s content to watch their love story unfold, knowing she helped call the play that started it all.