Why Travis Kelce isn’t attending the 2026 VMAs with Taylor Swift

Travis Kelce will not be joining his wife Taylor Swift at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on September 27, as his NFL commitments will keep him away from the ceremony.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end is scheduled to play against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on the same day as the VMAs. The awards ceremony is taking place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

Swift has not publicly confirmed whether she will attend the VMAs, although she is set to have a major presence at the ceremony. The singer will receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors, which recognises artists whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and visual storytelling.

Swift is also nominated in nine categories at this year's ceremony, including Video of the Year and Artist of the Year. She is expected to premiere the official music video for her new song “Patient Zero” during the broadcast.

The VMAs will mark a notable awards-season moment for Swift and Kelce, who married earlier this year. The couple tied the knot at Madison Square Garden in New York City on July 3 after announcing their engagement in August 2025.

While Kelce will be in Florida with the Chiefs, Swift's potential appearance in Los Angeles would mark her first VMAs since becoming his wife. The 2026 ceremony will air on CBS, simulcast on MTV and stream on Paramount+ on September 27.