If the rumors are to be believed, Taylor Swift is heading to the Super Bowl this Sunday, with Swifties tuning in to see the pop star cheer on her boyfriend, football star Travis Kelce.
Many fans of the singer will be watching for the first time ever, with a survey conducted by LendingTree finding that 13 percent of Americans are more interested in football thanks to Swift.
“I’ve never watched the Super Bowl before but will be tuning in this year specifically to see Taylor,” Angela Belcamino, 41, told Newsweek.
“She’s embarking on a long journey to be there and I can’t wait to see her reactions.”
Swift is reportedly taking a 12-hour flight from Japan to see the Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas. The 34-year-old recently resumed her record-breaking Eras Tour, performing four nights of shows in Tokyo.
Fans are so keen to see the “Anti-Hero” singer at the Super Bowl, the Japanese embassy released a statement reassuring fans Swift can make it back in time for the game.
The music icon has been a regular fixture at Kansas City Chiefs games since she began dating Kelce, with the pair going public with their relationship in September.
“I will absolutely be tuning in to the Super Bowl to watch my favorite love story pan out,” Laura Wales, 37, told Newsweek.
“As a Swiftie from day one who has witnessed all that Taylor has been through, it brings me so much joy to see how happy she is as she cheers on Travis doing what he loves.”
The Grammy winner’s presence has led to a surge in ratings for the NFL. According to NBC, there was a 54 percent increase in teen girls watching the first three weeks of “Sunday Night Football.” There was also a 24 percent rise in women viewers aged 18 to 24, along with a 34 percent spike in women over 35 tuning in.
LendingTree’s findings back up NBC’s viewing figures. Polling 2,000 U.S consumers, LendingTree discovered that Swift was particularly influential amongst younger people.
Twenty-four percent of Generation Z viewers (those born between 1997 and 2012) plan to watch the Super Bowl just for Swift, as will 20 percent of Millennial respondents (1981 to 1996).
“This will be the first time I’m actually planning on watching the entire superbowl,” Pamela Krasny told Newsweek. “Usually I just tune in for the halftime show.”
She started learning about the sport after news of Swift and Kelce’s romance broke, and is now invested in the Chiefs’ success.
“Football always felt like an aspect of the culture that I didn’t really understand or fit in with,” she explained. “It wasn’t always welcoming to new fans, especially women.
“But since so many of us are new and enthusiastic and a portion of the fanbase is super welcoming and supportive, it feels so nice to actually be a part of it and to be invested in the outcome.”
Although Swift’s presence has created new football fans, her appearances have also irked some veterans.
Dubbed “Dads, Brads and Chads” after Fox’s recent parody sketch, these fans claim the NFL spends too much screentime on Swift during games.
However, the pop legend is unconcerned by the negativity, and so are Swifties.
“Anyone that looks at her impact on football as a negative is a grumpy troll,” Laura said.
“It’s absurd. As Taylor has said, ‘The worst kind of person is someone who makes someone feel bad, dumb or stupid for being excited about something.'”
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This story was originally published February 8, 2024, 4:00 AM.
source: star-telegram
