Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's wedding, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on July 3, 2026, drew attention across the NFL not only because of its star-studded guest list but also because one notable Chiefs player was reportedly absent.

Harrison Butker, the Kansas City Chiefs veteran kicker, according to Jeremy Goldstein and Matthew Abbott of The Mirror, was the only player from the franchise not invited to the couple’s wedding.

“Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker was left off the guest list by Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift,” Steve Helling reported. “On their big day at Madison Square Garden.” 

According to Steve Helling of the Daily Mail, an NFL source told the Daily Mail that Harrison Butker, who has played alongside Travis Kelce since 2017, was not at the wedding on Friday. 

Butker signed a four-year, $25 million contract extension in 2024, while he has been with the Chiefs since 2017. His absence comes months after his 2024 commencement speech at Benedictine College, where he faced criticism over comments on gender roles and women in the workforce. 

Kelce later addressed Butker’s comments on the New Heights podcast, saying he respected him as a person but disagreed with his views, while Taylor Swift was also mentioned in the wider discussion around the speech. 

However, the guest list reportedly included several NFL figures, with Chris Jones, Kareem Hunt, and Trent McDuffie among those linked to attendance, along with other league personalities such as Mecole Hardman Jr. and Cooper Kupp. 

Butker's reported absence quickly became one of the most discussed aspects of the wedding guest list.

Butker wasn't the only notable name absent from the Swift-Kelce wedding

Harrison Butker wasn't the only high-profile figure missing from Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's wedding. According to People Magazine, Prince William and Kate Middleton also did not attend, despite earlier speculation that the royal couple could make an appearance.

The speculation began after Prince William appeared on Heart Breakfast in May, where he jokingly declined to confirm whether he had received an invitation.

"No comment," William said. "I'm hoping, and I'm sure there might be an invitation around, but we'll see."

Despite the earlier buzz, neither William nor Kate attended the ceremony, joining a list of notable names who ultimately missed the star-studded event.

However, the interaction highlights their ongoing friendly ties with Swift, which date back to 2013 when she performed at a Centrepoint charity gala attended by the prince. 

While several high-profile names were absent, Butker's omission remained one of the most talked-about aspects of the wedding guest list.

What do you think about the guest list choices at the wedding?  Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Divyanshi Raj

Edited by

Rudra Dubey