Swifties are coming for the Super Bowl, whether NFL fans want them or not — and if recent viewership is any indication, Super Bowl LVIII will break records.
The Taylor Swift effect has been in full force all season when she's showed up to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. And that was on full display when the Chiefs' bout against the Baltimore Ravens became the most-watched AFC Championship ever, with 55.47 million viewers tuning in.
Of course, that wasn't the only reason so many people tuned in. It was a matchup that pitted one of the greatest quarterbacks ever and the defending Super Bowl champion — Patrick Mahomes — against one of the most exciting quarterbacks ever and likely this season's MVP: Lamar Jackson. And both are just one year apart in age.
But all signs point to a record-breaking Super Bowl in Las Vegas, for many reasons.
1. A Swift-Kelce Love Story
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We've already all seen the on-field smooch and embrace between Kelce and Swift after the AFC Championship Game, and moments like that are why more eyeballs will be drawn to the Super Bowl. New audiences will tune in for more than just the Usher halftime show, because who doesn't want to watch a mega pop star swag-surf in the box after a touchdown?
Betting sites are even offering a prop bet asking whether Kelce will propose to Swift on the field after the game. For what it's worth, the implied odds of that happening are about 9%.
Swift was only shown for 44 seconds of the AFC Championship Game, according to Awful Announcing. That isn't a lot, but she could certainly be shown more if she makes it to the big game. She has a show in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl but should be able to make it to Las Vegas with plenty of time to spare, as many fans have done the math.
Plus, she isn't the only draw. Some fans may tune in to see the rest of the Kelce family, especially if brother Jason Kelce takes his shirt off again.
2. The Previous Chiefs-49ers Super Bowl Was a Ratings Hit
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According to Sports Media Watch, Super Bowl LIV — which featured the 49ers and Chiefs on Feb. 2, 2020 — is the third most-watched Super Bowl ever, behind only the Patriots-Falcons in 2017 and Eagles-Patriots in 2018.
The 118.5 million viewers who watched the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV represent a number that hasn't been eclipsed since, though the Chiefs-Eagles matchup last season did draw 115.1 million viewers.
Throw in the fact that the 49ers have a lovable underdog playing quarterback — Brock Purdy, aka Mr. Irrelevant — and this all bodes well for the NFL.
