It’s hard to imagine Travis Kelce‘s dating life before Taylor Swift but the Kansas City Chiefs star does have an array of ex-girlfriends you might not know about.
Ever since Swift and Kelce started dating in 2023, they’ve been one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples, and their August 2025 engagement is only furthering their iconic couple status. After all, she’s a self-made billionaire and one of the world’s most famous singers while he’s a tight end to one of the biggest teams in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs. From the get-go, they were a force to be reckoned with.
But, as we continue to keep track of Swift and Kelce’s relationship, and root for a red carpet debut from them sometime soon, we’re taking a moment to look back too. Take a look at Kelce’s relationship history, including his on-and-off 5-year relationship that lasted until 2022, below!
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Maya Benberry (2016)
Image Credit: Penske Media Travis Kelce’s first known romance was with Catching Kelce winner Maya Benberry. Back in 2016, Kelce starred in his very own dating show on E! titled Catching Kelce (it’s available on Peacock!). In it, he dated 50 women from all 50 states. In the end, Kelce chose Benberry, the contestant from Kentucky.
After wrapping the show, Kelce and Benberry reportedly dated for “several months” before splitting, per People.
Looking back at the show, Kelce admitted that reality TV was exactly his thing. “It was extremely awkward because I really didn’t have much to say about what we were doing on the show,” Kelce told The Pivot Podcast, per New York Post.
“At the end of the day, I don’t think I got portrayed as myself,” he continued. “I know that I’m not going back into reality TV.”
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Kayla Nicole (2017 – 2020, 2020 – 2022)
Image Credit: Karl Walter After his split with Benberry, Kelce had his eyes set on Kayla Nicole, a sports journalist and influencer.
According to a story of hers from a few years ago, Kelce liked a few of her posts before she felt confident enough to send him a DM. “I dm’d him on New Years,” she revealed, per New York Post.
“Slid into that thang like it was third base, idk baseball so not sure that’s the best analogy, but ya,” she continued in a separate Instagram Story. “Anywho … lesson here is making the first move might be your best move sis.”
By 2017, they two were dating and even attended major red carpets together side by side.
In 2020, they split for the first time. TMZ speculated at the time about Kelce being unfaithful, but he soon shut it down.
“This is fake news … a lie … and not why Kayla and I broke up,” Kelce said in a since-deleted tweet. “Take all your hatred somewhere else please.”
A few months later, Nicole and Kelce got back together. They split for good in 2022.
Looking back at their relationship on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, Nicole opened up about the backlash she used to receive.
“I would be lying if I said that that level of hate and just, like, online chaos didn’t impact me, it does. Even to this day,” Nicole said in November 2024. “You can go to my most recent post and it will be people debating each other why I am worthless and I’ll never be a talented person and I have no career.”
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Zuri Hall (2022)
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores, Chris Polk/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images In the fall of 2022, reports speculated about a romance between Kelce and Access Hollywood correspondent, Zuri Hall. According to a few reports, including Barstool Sports‘ Instagram screenshot, Hall was seen in the VIP lounge with his family in a few games.
Despite the rumors, Hall and Kelce never confirmed anything romantic between them. By Jan. 2023, Kelce revealed that he was single.
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Taylor Swift (2023 – )
Image Credit: Gotham/GC Images The first report of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were dating emerged in Sept. 12, 2023, from The Messenger. “Taylor and Travis have been quietly hanging out,” a source told the since-folded company. “She saw him when she was in NYC a few weeks ago.”
At the time, reports confirmed that it all started with a major crush Kelce had on Swift. “Travis has been into Taylor for a while and definitely has a crush on her,” an insider told Entertainment Tonight. “He is a simple guy that is very funny, charismatic, chill, and loves playing football.”
A few months earlier, in July, Kelce talked about his interest in Swift after attending the Eras Tour. “I was a little butthurt I didn’t get to hand her one of the bracelets I made for her,” Kelce told his brother Jason Kelce in their New Heights podcast, per Page Six. “She doesn’t meet anybody — or at least she didn’t want to meet me,” he said. “So, I took it personal.”
In Sept. 24, Swift took their relationship public by attending the Kansas City Chiefs game against the Chicago Bears at Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri.
Swift then attended a series of games in the VIP box, including the Super Bowl LVIII where they took home their second consecutive win.
On August 26, the couple announced their engagement with a series of photos on Instagram.
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