Kentucky Derby

Travis Kelce—but no Taylor Swift—spotted at Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby 2024

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2024 Kentucky Derby coverage

Click below to view more coverage from the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com at the 150th Kentucky Derby on May 4 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

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There are some big reputations at the Kentucky Derby this year: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was spotted at the 150th run for the roses.

Kelce was also sighted at Sports Illustrated’s Revel At the Races event, which took place at the Ice House in downtown Louisville Friday night. Kelce was with his friends, The Chainsmokers, and danced all evening with a group at an exclusive table, according to a press release from RMG PR.

At the Derby Saturday, Kelce was spotted wearing a white, pinstripe suit reminiscent of 1920s fashion. On his head, he wore a dark blue fedora.

There were rumors in the days leading up to the Derby that his superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift could also be in attendance Saturday, along with Kelce’s brother Jason.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (center, white suit), boyfriend to superstar pop artist Taylor Swift, is seen at the 150th Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (center, white suit), boyfriend to superstar pop artist Taylor Swift, is seen at the 150th Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky. Silas Walker swalker@herald-leader.com

Swift begins performing her Eras Tour in Paris, France, later this week. Social media reports Saturday said her private plane had been tracked to Paris.

Swift has been busy for the last year: her Eras Tour was the first time the singer toured since 2018, selling out shows around the world. She made further headlines in 2023 after taking her romance with Kelce public.

And just two weeks ago, Swift released her 11th studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” which broke streaming records.

The Kelce brothers have been in the spotlight too, with Travis signing a contract extension that makes him the highest paid tight end in the NFL, and a Super Bowl win. Jason retired from the Philadelphia Eagles after 13 years on the team and will take on a new role at ESPN.

Travis Kelce attended Sports Illustrated’s Revel At The Races at the Ice House in Louisville Friday night ahead of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.
Travis Kelce attended Sports Illustrated’s Revel At The Races at the Ice House in Louisville Friday night ahead of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Courtesy Revel At The Races

This story may be updated.

This story was originally published May 4, 2024 at 2:53 PM.

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Aaron Mudd
Lexington Herald-Leader
Aaron Mudd was a service journalism reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader, Centre Daily Times and Belleville News-Democrat. He was based at the Herald-Leader in Lexington, and left the paper in February 2026. Support my work with a digital subscription
Monica Kast
Lexington Herald-Leader
Monica Kast covers higher education for the Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com. Previously, she covered higher education in Tennessee for the Knoxville News Sentinel. She is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, and is a graduate of Western Kentucky University. Support my work with a digital subscription
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2024 Kentucky Derby coverage

Click below to view more coverage from the Lexington Herald-Leader and Kentucky.com at the 150th Kentucky Derby on May 4 at Churchill Downs in Louisville.