Latest updates: Taylor Swift's wedding at Madison Square Garden in NYC

Friday's event schedule revealed

Friday, July 3

12:01 a.m.-11:59 p.m. Full street closure: West 31st Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues

12:01 a.m.-12 p.m. Cabaret tent box trucks arrive and build starts, ends for main (second tent) 25-by-180-foot drive-thru tent 

2 p.m. Crew call

3-5 p.m. Doors open / Guests arrive

5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Event

— The Associated Press

Last open MSG entrance closes

As the event start time nears, the last remaining open entrance to Madison Square Garden has been blocked off. 

Guess who's coming to dinner?

Multiple reports have identified these celebrities heading toward the rehearsal dinner: "Girls" creator Lena Dunham, actor Bradley Cooper, sportscaster Erin Andrews, model Gigi Hadid, Swift BFF Selena Gomez (who is a bridesmaid, Page Six reports) and Swift musical collaborator, Jack Antonoff.

Scenes from outside MSG

A white tent appears

A white tent was put up outside Madison Square Garden before 3 p.m. Thursday near an entrance where black SUVs were spotted pulling into the venue. Police are closing off West 31st Street, preventing people from getting close to the tent, a presumed designated entrance for guests. A crowd of more than 20 are swarming close to the barricades as cars have begun entering the the loading dock on West 33rd Street.

Swift and Kelce 'already married,' report says

Swift and Kelce have already married ahead of the big planned celebration at Madison Square Garden, Page Six exclusively reports, citing multiple unnamed sources. One source,  identified as "a well-placed music insider based in Nashville," told Page Six they, “already got legally married.”

Here comes the bride?

The New York Post is reporting a white SUV — "Taylor Swift's SUV" — has arrived at Madison Square Garden. Is it really Swift? Time will tell ... 

Here comes the bride! 🤍 Taylor Swift's SUV was seen arriving at MSG before her rehearsal dinner this evening. pic.twitter.com/LPI0gkuRC9

— New York Post (@nypost) July 2, 2026

Fans try to catch a glimpse of Swift

Naidalyn Gomas, 25, from New York, paused her July 4 travel plans to stop and try to see Taylor Swift. "I hope I can see Taylor, even for a little bit," said Gomas, outside Madison Square Garden with luggage in hand.

Gomas who has been a fan of Swift for years, has her own theory of why Swift is holding her wedding at MSG. "She said that she wanted to make it like a big wedding," she said. "So that makes sense if that’s why she’s doing it here."

Gomas, who said she knows that she probably won’t be able to see Swift, still has a message for her: "She has been my inspiration, for me and my sister, she just great," she said.

Friday street closures at MSG

NYPD confirms logistics around Madison Square Garden for Friday

Street Closures

Starting at 1pm on Friday, July 3, the following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic:

• 7th Avenue between 30th and 34th Streets
• West 33rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
• West 32nd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
• West 31st Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
• West 31st Street between 7th and 8th Avenues

Starting at 1pm on Friday, July 3rd, the following streets/areas will be closed to pedestrian traffic:

• West side of 7th Avenue between 31st and 34th Streets
• West 33rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues
• Starting at 1pm on Friday, July 3rd, there will be managed access to the following streets/areas:
• East side of 8th Avenue between 30th and 34th Streets
• West 33rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
• West 32nd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
• West 31st Street between 6th and 7th Avenues

On Thursday, July 2 starting at 11:15pm, no parking will be allowed on West 33rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. Cars will be towed if they are not removed.

Moynihan Train Hall/Penn Station

• For access to transportation at Moynihan Train Hall and Penn Station, including the subway, Amtrak, LIRR, and New Jersey Transit, please use the entrances to Moynihan Station on the west side of 8th Avenue at 31st and 33rd Streets.
• There will be managed access to Penn Station on the northeast corner of 8th Avenue and 31st Street.

Their path to the altar

September 2023: Swift was spotted cheering on Kelce during the Kansas City game in a box alongside Kelce's mother, Donna. 

September 2023: Sources report to People that Swift and Kelce "are in super early days" of getting to know each other. 

September 2023: Kelce mentions Swift by name while recording an episode of his podcast, "New Heights With Jason and Travis Kelce." 

October 2023: Swift is photographed again at Kelce's game, this time at MetLife Stadium, versus the Jets. Buzz intensifies as she's spotted next to her friends, including Blake Lively.

October 2023: Swift and Kelce are spotted holding hands in New York City after appearing on "Saturday Night Live." 

October 2023: A photo is posted to Instagram in which Swift gives Kelce a kiss on the cheek. 

December 2023: Swift opened up about the romance for the first time publicly during an interview with TIME. "I think some people think that they saw our first date at that game? We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date," Swift said.

January 2024: Swift and Kelce celebrate the Chiefs' AFC Championship Game win in photographs that circled the internet. 

February 2024: Swift and Kelce are photographed during the 2024 Super Bowl.

August 2025: The couple announces their engagement. 

Here comes the groom's mom, Donna Kelce

Mamma mia!

Travis Kelce's mom, Donna Kelce, has arrived in New York City for the big wedding of her son to Taylor Swift, People is reporting. Mama Kelce arrived Thursday afternoon with hours to spare before the rumored rehearsal dinner is to take place at Madison Square Garden. Both TMZ and YouTube posted images of Kelce arriving at JFK.

Listen to Taylor Swift's wedding playlist

These songs may or may not make the cut at Swift's wedding celebration, but if her DJ or live band were taking requests, here's what we'd suggest. 

Listen along with us on Spotify:

1. “New York, New York” (Frank Sinatra)
2. "Empire State of Mind" (JAY-Z, Alicia Keys)
3. “Rumor Has it” (Adele)
4. “Kansas City” (Wilbert Harrison)
5. “Do You Want to Know a Secret” (The Beatles)
6. "New York State of Mind" (Billy Joel)
7. “Garden Party” (Rick Nelson)
8. “My Girl” (The Temptations)
9. “My Guy” (Mary Wells)
10.  "Love Story" (Taylor Swift, Taylor's Version)
11. "Enchanted" (Taylor Swift, Taylor's Version)
12. "Welcome to New York" (Taylor Swift, Taylor's Version)

The waiting game outside MSG

Rosie Metcalf, 7, who said she has been a Taylor Swift fan for as long as she can remember, and her mother, Ali Metcalf, both from Tennessee, have been roaming around MSG for 45 minutes, Rosie said, remaining optimistic to see Swift. “We’d be shocked,” said Ali, if they were able to meet Swift. Passersby slow down as they pass the barricades surrounding the docking center on West 33rd Street, also hoping to get a glance at Swift. A public seating area is filled with over a dozen reporters gathered by Madison Square Garden. By 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon, entrances to Penn Station remain open while all entrances into Madison Square Garden are closed.

The (many) times Taylor Swift sang about her wedding

If you're looking to catch the Taylor Swift wedding fever leading into her wedding weekend, start here. The singer has given us an excuse to relisten to her top hits, many of which have mentioned wedding rings, proposals and celebrations. Here are some of the top worth revisiting.

1.  "Marry me, Juliet, you'll never have to be alone ..." ("Love Story," "Fearless" 2008)
2. "I like shiny things, but I’d marry you with paper rings." ("Paper Rings," "Lover" 2019)
3. "He wanted a bride ... I was making my own name" ("Midnight Rain," "Midnights" 2022)
4. "Back then, I swore I was gonna marry him someday" ("Fifteen," "Fearless" 2008)
5. "I’ve loved you three summers now honey, but I want 'em all" ("Lover," "Lover" 2019)
6. "So it's gonna be forever" ("Blank Space," "1989" 2014)
7. "Ooh-ooh, we could get married ... have 10 kids and teach 'em how to dream" ("Starlight," "Red" 2012)
8. "We gather stones, never knowing what they’ll mean ... some to throw ... some to make a diamond ring" ("My Tears Ricochet," "Folklore" 2020)
9. "Your mom’s ring in your pocket, my picture in your wallet" ("Champagne Problems," "Evermore" 2020)
10. "At the park where we used to sit on children’s swings, wearing imaginary rings" ("Fresh Out the Slammer," "The Tortured Poets Department" 2024)

Before Taylor and Travis, there were these celeb-athlete supercouples

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce aren't the first example of the marriage of entertainment and athletics. Here are some other celebrity supercouples who crossed both worlds.

Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio — The blonde bombshell and the Yankee Clipper met on a date set up by press agent David March and were married in January 1954. Nine months later, they were history.

Robin Givens and Mike Tyson — The heavyweight champ was anxious to meet the "Head of the Class" star, and reached out repeatedly to her management team. Eventually, they met and married in February 1988. Their stormy union was so much tabloid fodder. Ironically, their divorce was finalized on Valentine Days, 1989.

Halle Berry and David Justice — The Oscar winner proposed to the Atlanta Braves rightfielder and first-baseman five months after they met in 1992. They were married on New Year's Day in 1993 and divorced in June 1997.

Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady — The former New England Patriots quarterback broke up with actress Bridget Moynihan shortly after meeting the supermodel in December 2006. They were married in a private ceremony in February 2009 followed by a larger second ceremony with their families two months later. They ultimately divorced in October 2022.

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade — Sports brought these two together when actor Union and basketball's Wade co-hosted a Super Bowl party in Miami in 2007. They didn't actually start dating until two years later and didn't get married until 2014. They're still together 12 years later.

Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher — The country music star (and season 4 "American Idol" champ) had a thing for athletes, having previously dated Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo before meeting Fisher in 2008. She and the hockey star wed in July 2010 and have two children.

Ciara and Russell Wilson — A basketball game at the University of Wisconsin was the meeting place for the Grammy winner and the NFL Giants quarterback in 2015. They tied the knot in July 2016 and will celebrate their 10th anniversary on Monday.

Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen — The "Sinners" actor and Buffalo Bills quarterback began dating in May 2023 and were married exactly two years later. In April, they welcomed a daughter, Harper.
 

Taylor Swift's Madison Square Garden roots

It shouldn't really be a surprise that Taylor Swift is holding her wedding e at Madison Square Garden. After all, she sang the praises of the Garden back in 2012 in her song "The Lucky One," from her album "Red." "They say you bought a bunch of land somewhere/ Chose the rose garden over Madison Square/ And it took some time, but I understand it now," she wrote in the song, which, interestingly, is about not having any privacy once you're in the spotlight.

Swift's connection to the Garden goes even deeper: She has performed there eight times, first in 2003 when she sang an original song called "Lucky You" during a halftime talent competition at a Knicks game. (Obviously football isn't the only sport she loves.) In 2009, she brought her "Fearless" tour followed by her "Speak Now" tour two years later. And only last month, she was a spectator — along with her pal, actor Mariska Hargitay — for Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.

Some other famous (or somewhat famous) Swifts

As far as we know, none of these guys are related to Taylor Swift, but there have been other notable Swifts through the centuries:

• Jonathan Swift: 17th and 18th century Anglo-Irish writer, essayist, satirist and Anglican cleric best known as the author of "Gulliver’s Travels."
• Gustavus Franklin Swift: Massachusetts butcher who started his business as a teenager with just $25 and which eventually grew into the Swift Meat Company.
• Tom Swift: Main character of six series of American juvenile science fiction and adventure novels that emphasize science, invention and technology, which started in 1910.
• Bill Swift: Pitcher for the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies from 1985 to 1998.
• Phil Swift: Ubiquitous infomercial pitchman for his company’s Flex Seal line of adhesive bonding products.
• Swifty Lazar: Legendary talent agent and dealmaker, representing both movie stars and authors.

Permit approved for MSG 'event'

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have their license, and now they have their permit. AP reports that on Wednesday night, the couple's application for a "Special Event at MSG" was approved by New York City’s permitting office, according to a spokesperson for Mayor Zohran Mamdani. And what an event it will be. On Thursday at 6:30 p.m., 100 guests are expected to arrive at Madison Square Garden for "a pre-party celebration." Of course, that will be an intimate affair compared to the 1,000 guests expected to descend on the Garden for Friday's "main event," which is set to begin at 5 p.m. and last until 4 a.m. Saturday. 

Swift, Kelce donate $26M to charities

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have donated $26 million to more than 20 charities this week ahead of their wedding, Variety reported. 

The recipients include nine food banks (including City Harvest and Food Bank for NYC), an animal cruelty organization, seven educational programs and three children’s hospitals (including Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone). Besides New York City, recipients will include sites in Los Angeles, Kansas City, Missouri, Nashville, Rhode Island and Cleveland.

Why we're obsessed with celeb weddings

According to Hannah Judson, a doctoral candidate at Stony Brook University who teaches a summer class called the "Sociology of Taylor Swift”: The singer “was one of the first musicians to take advantage of social media as a way of connecting with her fans. That's why people are so invested in her wedding. She's embodied life experiences for generations of fans." Judson adds that "the best term for this phenomenon is a feeling that a celebrity can be your best friend. That's significantly intensified" in recent years, in large measure due to Swift.

That’s one explanation for why we’re obsessed with Taylor and Travis’ nuptials, not to mention other celebrity weddings (think Charles and Diana, JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette). But there are plenty of other surprising reasons, including a declining marriage rate and the popularity of such shows as “Bridezillas” and “90 Day Fiancé.”

Newsday’s Verne Gay lays out all the details here.

The champs will return to MSG

The  Knicks' starting five has secured an invite to the hottest party of the moment, according to reports. 

Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns were invited to the wedding, Page Six reported. The guest list has been kept under wraps, with reports that those invited were required to sign NDAs. The wedding celebration, slated to run from 4 p.m. on Friday until 4 a.m. on Saturday, is expected to bring about 1,000 guests to Madison Square Garden. The venue most recently saw the Knicks play their way to the historic 2026 NBA Championship. 

NYPD 'will have detail in place' for MSG event

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said during a press briefing Wednesday that the police "will have detail in place" for an "event we are tracking at Madison Square Garden on Friday night." Though she declined to go into specifics, a CNN reporter referenced an August 2024 terror plot targeting a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, questioning whether or not the detail included heavy weapons teams, K-9s and the bomb squad. Tisch replied: "Our intelligence and counter-terrorism division does assessments of events that happen across the city and ... we will make sure that we have the appropriate resources based on their threat assessment for that specific, private event." 

Page Six estimates the police presence to cost six figures, citing sources who said some 130 officers are expected to be present during the event. 

Other weddings at MSG

More than 50 years ago, Madison Square Garden was the site of another celebrity wedding, albeit one with a lot less hype and speculation.

On June 5, 1974, Sly Stone, the charismatic leader of Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Sly and the Family Stone wed actress Kathy Silva in front of 23,000 fans who had come to hear the band's concert. The ceremony took place before the start of the show.

In his memoir, "Thank you (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)." Stone wrote: "I could do a gig, get paid, and get married at the same time ... We set the date for June 5, a Wednesday. We’d have a ceremony just before the concert, right there on the stage. Then a concert, then a party afterward at the rooftop lounge of the Waldorf Astoria."

According to The New Yorker, fashion designer Halston dressed the bride, groom and members of the wedding part in gold ensembles that cost $10,000 (about $68,000 in today's money).

Alas, the couple legally separated in 1976 and ultimately divorced.

Another MSG wedding involved a celebrity of another sort: the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the controversial head of the Unification Church. On July 1, 1982, Moon officiated at the ceremony in which 2,075 couples from over 70 countries were wed simultaneously. Moon had personally matched each couple.

Brides wore identical white lace and satin gowns, while grooms wore matching blue suits with red ties.

It is not known how many of the couples remained married.

Fans look to the 'Easter egg queen'

Swifties say Taylor Swift is the "Easter egg queen." She's known for leaving hints for fans to uncover when it comes to her latest albums, so her wedding may be no different.

"She wants to drop little clues here and there," said longtime fan Alexandra Ali, 29, of Commack, an on-air personality at 106.1BLI. Swifites, whom Ali described as a strong bunch, are "very passionate about Taylor and her happiness, and this has been something that we have been waiting for, not even just for her, but as a fan base," she said.

Elizabeth Edquist, 32, of Glen Head, a Taylor Swift impersonator who runs Royal Princess Prep Entertainment, said she thinks the wedding is a distraction. Edquist, who has been a fan of Swift's music since her debut album in 2006, said she believes Madison Square Garden is an unusual place for Swift to hold her wedding and that "it just seems so impersonal."  

Paige Felice, 13, of Miller Place has a different opinion about the venue.

"I think it’s very iconic, because it’s so famous," she said.

Swift's Long Island ties

So it looks like Taylor and Travis are getting hitched at MSG ... Well, why not? Taylor Swift has lots of connections to New York, and notably, Long Island. In 2014, she shot scenes for her "Blank Space" video at two of the Island's grand mansions — Oheka Castle in Huntington and Winfield Hall (aka the Woolworth Mansion) in Glen Cove. In the video, Swift played the revenge-minded girlfriend of model Sean O'Pry. Swift and O'Pry are living the life of Gatsby, complete with dramatic entrances down Oheka's grand staircase, pony rides along the tree-lined West Gate Drive and dinners in the grand ballroom. The fairy tale is soon shattered when Swift discovers O'Pry texting someone else while they picnic near the formal gardens. That's when the knife-brandishing, golf-club-wielding, mascara-streaked Angry Taylor arrives.

Swift performed at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on May 14 and 15, 2010, as part of her "Fearless Tour," which was her debut trek. The concerts featured opening acts Kellie Pickler and Gloriana. Her set list included songs from her "Fearless" album, including "You Belong With Me," "Our Song" and "Love Story." According to reports, the show included multiple costume changes.

And of course, over the years, many Swift tribute acts have attracted audiences to venues ranging from Mulcahy's in Wantagh to Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. In addition, The Vanderbilt Planetarium in Centerport has also featured a Swift laser-light show as has Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair.

Here comes the bridal gown

It's top of mind for many a wedding guest: What will the bride's gown look like?

When it comes to Swift, some fans believe there are clues based on her vintage-inspired, 18th century, old-mine, brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring estimated to be a massive 8 to 10 carats and costing more than $550,000. Independent jeweler David Charles Frank, of Sea Cliff, told Newsday when the couple got engaged last August that the choice showed "Taylor Swift has very special niche taste and an appreciation for old things."

Does that translate to a wedding dress? Maybe.

That said, Long Island bridal boutiques and designers have other ideas. Have a look. 

And for the after-party:

You're cordially invited to ...

Ms. Taylor Swift and Mr. Travis Kelce

are expected to celebrate their nuptials 

Thursday, the second of July, at six in the evening

and Friday, the third of July, at four in the evening

at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Reception to follow (reportedly...).

Celebrate on the East End

On Friday, restaurant 75 Main in Southampton will host a Swifties Wedding Celebration event, complete with Swift-inspired decor, a giant wedding cake and specialty cocktails inspired by the singer’s favorite drinks — including the French blonde (a blend of grapefruit juice, Lillet Blanc wine, gin elderflower liqueur and lemon bitters) and a vodka Diet Coke. Swift's hits will be played all night and the staff will be dressed in "Swifties Wedding Party" T-shirts.

"Whether you’re spending the holiday weekend in the Hamptons or you’re a devoted Swiftie looking for the perfect place to celebrate, we wanted to create a magical night where fans can sing, dance, and enjoy the excitement together," 75 Main owner Zach Erdem said in an emailed statement.

The celebration is expected to start between 10 and 11 p.m. and to draw hundreds of fans, visitors and Hamptons regulars, according to the release — though the bride and groom are not likely to attend.