Though newlyweds Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift have a strong track record of supporting each other's careers, there's a good chance they may break from this norm at the MTV Video Music Awards.
Though Swift has not been confirmed to attend the 2026 VMAs on Sunday, Sept. 27, she is unlikely to miss the ceremony in Los Angeles, where she will receive the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors. Now the most decorated artist in the show's history, the singer is being recognized for expanding "the possibilities of music video and [advancing] the art of visual storytelling."
The award show begins at 7:30 p.m. ET, more than six hours after Kelce's Kansas City Chiefs took to the field in Miami Gardens, Florida, for their first away game of the regular
NFL season against the Miami Dolphins.
Though Swift attended her husband's first two weeks of games, she wasn't spotted at Hard Rock Stadium. Due to the distance, she wouldn't be able to show her support in "Florida!!!" if she's to make it to the LA show – and vice versa. Kelce would be unable to make it to both his Week 3 match and the VMAs across the country.
In March, Kelce was in the audience as his then-fiancée was honored at the iHeartRadio Awards in LA.
Aside from her nine nominations, the pop star has another accomplishment to celebrate at the VMAs: the release of "The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore." The four new tracks, a continuation of last year's "Life of a Showgirl" record, offer more insight into her relationship with the "love of my life," whom she married in Madison Square Garden on July 3.
At the 2026 VMAs, Swift is nominated for video of the year ("The Fate of Ophelia"), best direction ("Opalite") and artist of the year. "The Fate of Ophelia" also picked up nominations for best pop, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography and visual effects.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Travis Kelce will miss VMAs as Taylor Swift earns inaugural award
