20 photos of Chiefs star Travis Kelce throughout an emotional night at Arrowhead
By Tammy Ljungblad and
Dominick Williams
After 13 seasons with the Chiefs, star tight end Travis Kelce took the field Thursday night in a cloud of speculation about his future.
Kelce is the longest-tenured player on the Chiefs roster, on the last year of a contract and 36 years old, so it’s believed he might retire after the NFL season concludes in early 2026.
Even though Kelce has refused to discuss his decision publicly, the Christmas Day game against the Denver Broncos was seen as possibly the last home game for the future Hall of Famer.
Take a look at Kelce’s big night, through the lenses of Star photographers at Arrowhead.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce enters the stadium prior to the Chiefs game vs. the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) warms up the game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) fist bumps fans after warmups prior to the Chiefs game vs. the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) enters the field prior to the Chiefs game vs. the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) with a catch in front of Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) during the first half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) waves to the sidelines after making a catch in the first alf hof the game against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
A fan shows support for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during the first half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce picks up yardage as against Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton defends at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. Denver defeated the Chiefs, 20-13. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts to a play from the sideline of the game against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) catches a pass ahead of Denver Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron (23) during the second half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. Denver defeated the Chiefs, 20-13. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) fires up the crowd against the Denver Broncos on Thursday, December 25, 2025 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) pumps up the crowd in the second half of the Chiefs game vs. the Denver Broncos on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) makes a catch during the second half of the game against the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) is tackled by Denver Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron (23) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. Denver defeated the Chiefs, 20-13. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) watches the KC defense play against the Denver Broncos on the GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium big-screen on Thursday, December 25, 2025 in Kansas City. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) shakes hands with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster (9) after the Chiefs turn over the ball on downs late in the second half of the Chiefs game vs. the Denver Broncos on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) walks off the field after KC’s final home game of the 2025 season on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Denver Broncos beat the Chiefs 20-13. Dominick Williams dowilliams@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) greets Denver Broncos tight end Adam Trautman (82) as he heads off the field after the Denver Broncos defeated the Chiefs, 20-13, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce slaps hands with fans as he heads off the field after KC’s loss to the Denver Broncos at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) heads off the field in KC’s final home game after the Denver Broncos defeated the Chiefs, 20-13, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
This story was originally published December 26, 2025 at 12:19 PM.
