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Travis Kelce's Surprising Absence as Taylor Swift Lights Up NBA Finals

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She’s on the bleachers, and he’s states away at football camp.

Travis Kelce did not accompany soon-to-be wife Taylor Swift to Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City Wednesday night as he’s in Kansas City, Missouri, participating in a mandatory three-day minicamp.

Swift was instead joined by longtime pals Este and Alana Haim to sit courtside with Ben Stiller, Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Timothée Chalamet and more celebrity Knicks fans.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end and his teammates began their bout of training at the University of Kansas Health System Training Complex on Tuesday and will conclude on Thursday.

Taylor Swift, Alana Haim, and Este Haim cheering with Ben Stiller at an NBA game.

Taylor Swift took in Game 4 of the NBA Finals in NYC Wednesday with pals Alana and Este Haim. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Taylor Swift and friends wearing "Stevie Knicks" and "Nickole Kidman" blue t-shirts at an NBA game.

The trio repped matching shirts with Knicks-themed puns. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Taylor Swift wearing a blue "Stevie Knicks" t-shirt at an NBA game.

Swift’s read “Stevie Knicks,” a nod to the music icon. NBAE via Getty Images

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Travis Kelce (pictured with Swift in March) couldn’t join them due to a prior football commitment. Billboard via Getty Images

It’s likely the same reason why Kelce, 36, was also absent from Tuesday’s “Toy Story 5” premiere in Los Angeles, where Swift, also 36, made a surprise appearance in an off-the-shoulder, crystal-embellished dress that turned heads.

The pop superstar contributed a new original song, “I Knew It, I Knew You,” to the Pixar sequel.

Her contribution to Wednesday’s event, however, was purely supportive.

Travis Kelce stretching during the Kansas City Chiefs mandatory mini-camp.

The athlete is currently in Kansas City, Missouri, participating in a mandatory three-day minicamp with the Chiefs. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and tight end Travis Kelce (87) on the field during a mandatory mini-camp.

The tight end (No. 87) and his teammates began this bout of training on Tuesday and will conclude on Thursday. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Taylor Swift posing on a red carpet in front of a blue backdrop with the "Toy Story 5" logo.

It’s likely the same reason why Kelce was also absent from Tuesday’s “Toy Story 5” premiere in Los Angeles, where Swift made a surprise appearance. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

“She’s a huge fan of the Knicks and really wants to be there to support them. She is going with friends,” a source exclusively told Page Six just hours ahead of tip-off for the highly anticipated game between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

We also revealed that the halftime show performer would be Wu-Tang Clan.

Swift and Kelce — who turned last month’s Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Cleveland, Ohio, into date night — will reunite under the MSG roof soon enough, as Page Six previously reported that they are set to wed there during the July 3 weekend.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce kissing at an NBA game.

Swift and Kelce turned last month’s Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Cleveland, Ohio, into date night, as seen in the photo above. Getty Images

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce attending Game Three of the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals.

The couple (pictured above) will reunite under the MSG roof soon enough, as Page Six previously reported that they are set to wed there during the July 3 weekend. NBAE via Getty Images

When it came to picking a venue for their high-profile nuptials, one source stressed to Page Six that “privacy was of No. 1 importance to them both.”

In fact, the musician reportedly called her and the NFL star’s guests to personally invite them in order to keep details under wraps and avoid any more potential leaks before the big day.

The couple got engaged in August 2025 after two years of dating.