Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce make incredible $26 million gesture ahead of reported wedding

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have donated a whopping $26 million (£19.4 million) to more than a dozen charities ahead of their wedding.

Although the couple have yet to officially confirm their nuptials, all signs appear to reveal that there will be a wedding celebration at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York City with events kicking off today (3 July).

Typically, when folks get married it’s the guests who provide the gifts, but it seems that Taylor and Travis are doing things differently by very generously donating $26 million to charities and organisations.

The couple appear to have selected causes that are in meaningful locations, including Nashville, where Taylor got her big break; Kansas City, where Travis’ NFL team hails from; and New York, where the pair will reportedly tie the knot.

In a simple announcement for such a grand gesture, a representative for the couple said: “This week, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift donated 26 million dollars to charities across the United States.

“They include the following: City Harvest, New York City; Food Bank For NYC; New York Cares; Los Angeles Regional Food Bank; Harvesters – The Community Food Network, Kansas City, MO.”

The list of good causes also includes: “The Store, Nashville, TN; Helping Harvest, Reading, PA; Rhode Island Community Food Bank; Feeding America; ASPCA; Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library; Grammy In The Schools; Education Through Music, New York, NY; Answer The Call, New York, NY and Musical Mentors, New York, NY.”

While the announcement didn’t reveal how the $26 million was split, Feeding America released a statement confirming it had been given $2 million.

The charity shared an update on X thanking the pair, and writing: “This support builds on Taylor’s ongoing commitment to neighbours across the country and brings us all closer to a future where everyone has the food they need to thrive.

“We’re so grateful to have partners like you in this work.”

Meanwhile, City in Harvest confirmed it had received $1 million.

This isn’t the first time Taylor has shown off her generous side.

Following three sold-out performances in Liverpool during her record-breaking Eras Tour in 2024, the pop star made a 'generous donation' to the St Andrew's Community Network, which operates 11 food-banks and eight community food pantries in the city.

She also reportedly handed out six-figure bonuses to crew members after the tour came to an end.

Police plans for the big day

Although the much talked-about wedding hasn’t been confirmed by the couple, a report from The New York Times, officers from the NYPD, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department and Amtrak Police are expected to be deployed around Madison Square Garden for the event.

An internal police planning memo, titled ‘Taylor Swift Wedding at Madison Square Garden’, describes the occasion as a celebration of Swift's wedding to Kelce.

According to the memo, the private event is closed to the public, with around 100 guests expected to attend a rehearsal dinner at the Infosys Theatre inside Madison Square Garden at around 6pm.

A spokesperson for the Police Department told The New York Times that plans for the event have not yet been finalised.

The memo also states that up to 1,000 guests are expected to arrive on Friday, with possible stage appearances planned after the arena opens for a cocktail hour at around 4pm.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's relationship timeline

July 2023

Travis Kelce attends Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour show in Kansas City. He later admits on his New Heights podcast that he tried to give her a friendship bracelet with his number on it, but was unsuccessful.

September 2023

Swift makes her debut appearance at one of Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs games, watching from a suite alongside his mum, Donna. Swift and Kelce are seen leaving the stadium together.

October 2023

The singer supports Kelce at another one of his games, this time in New Jersey. She's joined by the likes of Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Sophie Turner, and Hugh Jackman.

Later this month, Swift and Kelce are snapped holding hands in New York after both making surprise cameos on Saturday Night Live.

November 2023

Speaking of how their romance came about, Kelce tells The Wall Street Journal: “There were definitely people she knew that knew who I was. I had somebody playing Cupid.”

December 2023

In her TIME Person of the Year interview, Swift reveals that she and Kelce spent ‘a significant amount of time’ getting to know each other before she was seen at his NFL games.

She adds: "By the time I went to that first game, we were a couple. I think some people think that they saw our first date at that game? We would never be psychotic enough to hard-launch a first date.”

January 2024

A video shows the pair sharing a kiss to celebrate the New Year.

February 2024

Swift travels from Tokyo to Las Vegas to watch Kelce and the Chiefs win the Super Bowl.

The couple has a loved-up celebratory moment on the field after the game, hugging and kissing away.

Later this month, the NFL star is seen supporting his girlfriend at an Eras Tour show in Sydney.

June 2024

The couple go Instagram official after Swift’s first Eras Tour show at London’s Wembley Stadium. The singer posts a selfie of them with Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte backstage.

A day later, Kelce makes his Eras Tour debut, joining Swift on stage at Wembley. He dons a tuxedo and top hat for the transition between ‘The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived’ and ‘I Can Do It With a Broken Heart’.

September 2024

While accepting the Video of the Year award at the VMAs for her song ‘Fortnight’, Swift says: “The thing is, this video seems very sad when you watch it, but actually it was like, the most fun video to make.

“Something that I’ll always remember is that when I would finish a take and I’d say ‘Cut,’ and we’d be done with that take, I would always just hear someone like, cheering, and like, ‘Woo!’ Like from across the studio where we were shooting it and that one person was my boyfriend Travis.”

December 2024

Kelce throws Swift an Eras Tour-themed party to celebrate her record-breaking tour.

February 2025

Swift once again attends the Super Bowl, however, Kelce’s team are less successful this time.

June 2025

The couple step out for their red carpet debut at Kelce's Tight End University in Nashville.

August 2025

Swift finally appears on New Heights, where she announces her 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl.

The couple also give a rare insight into their relationship, with the hitmaker joking that the podcast ‘got her a boyfriend’.

On 26 August, Swift and Kelce share news of their engagement on Instagram with the caption: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”