Stars including Hugh Grant and Jason Sudeikis have begun arriving in New York ahead of the widely anticipated wedding of singer Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce.
While neither of them has publicly confirmed their plans, the New York Post reported local time Thursday, citing unnamed sources, that they had already tied the knot.
Early celebrities included Ethan and Ryan Hawke (Reuters: Angelina Katsanis)
Reuters could not confirm this information.
But a heavy media presence and barricades around New York’s Madison Square Garden heightened anticipation of a major event as passersby stopped to take photos and videos on their phones.
Meanwhile, NFL stars and celebrities were spotted at the stadium in formal attire.
Benson Boone arrives at Madison Square Garden in a suit. (Reuters: Angelina Katsanis)
Kansas City Chiefs player Chris Jones suits up for a proposed wedding. (Reuters: Brendan McDermid)
Jason Sudeikis arrives on stage in New York. (Reuters: Brendan McDermid)
Workers spent several days this week unloading food and decorations into the iconic Manhattan arena.
Scaffolding with heavy black curtains had been erected to prevent crowds from being spotted upon arrival, and a sign posted at the entrance on Thursday warned those entering to maintain strict confidentiality.
A worker unloads portable air conditioners near Madison Square Garden on the eve of a wedding. (AP: Ryan Murphy)
On Friday, people were seen bringing a white dress to the site in a large garment bag.
Officials including New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani have hinted that something is afoot, and US media have reported that the couple is planning a cocktail hour for 1,000 people at the start of the long holiday weekend, when the country celebrates the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence from British rule.
Hype around Taylor Swift’s wedding
The couple said through a publicist on Thursday that they had donated US$26 million ($37 million) this week to several charities in the city and elsewhere.
Country music star Dolly Parton thanked Swift and Kelsey on social media Friday for their $2.88 million donation to her charity, which sends free books to children.
Although she didn’t mention marriage, Parton’s post made a playful reference to the children the couple might have in the future.
“It’s clear that you two have made philanthropy a key part of your lives. So, when your first child is born, can I have him? Because this is going to be a special child,” Parton said.
Swifty talks to the press ahead of the “royal wedding.” (Reuters: Christian Monterrosa)
Fans say it’s the closest thing to a ‘royal wedding’
This high-profile event coincided with very hot weather.
Temperatures are forecast to top 37.8 degrees Celsius and will likely test the endurance of spectators hoping to catch a glimpse of the celebrity couple or their celebrity guests.
Outside Swift’s Manhattan home, some Swifties used portable fans to keep cool.
Fans and press gather near the stadium. (AP: Charles Sykes/Invision)
Alison Walsh stopped with her 11-year-old daughter, one of the Swifties, on the side of the arena on West 31st Street to peer through police barricades into the large white tent.
“When we heard this was happening, we wanted to be here. This is the closest thing to a royal wedding in the United States,” said Walsh, 46, who is visiting from Connecticut and also a Swift fan.
Taylor Swift is engaged – what does this mean for her music?
The couple’s love story began in 2023, when Kelsey unsuccessfully tried to meet Swift backstage at one of her concerts, but managed to get her attention and warm her heart by talking about his frustrations on the podcast.
Both are 36 years old.
As the relationship progressed, they made public appearances together at her concerts, his Kansas City Chiefs games and on Saturday Night Live, leading to an engagement announcement on Instagram in August 2025 that read, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”
One of the most successful musicians of all time, Swift has won 14 Grammy Awards and broken records with a worldwide concert tour that has made her a billionaire.
Kelce, one of the NFL’s most famous players, helped the Kansas City Chiefs win three Super Bowls alongside star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
He is also the co-host of the popular sports and pop culture podcast New Heights.
Reuters