New York, NY, USA – December 13, 2019: Taylor Swift performs at the 2019 Z100 Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Brian Friedman on Shutterstock)

NEW ORLEANS — As Super Bowl LIX approaches, one storyline is seemingly capturing more attention than the game itself yet again: the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce romance. A recent survey reveals just how much the pop star’s presence is dividing football fans and creating a media frenzy that extends far beyond the gridiron.

The numbers, provided by Odds Assist, tell an interesting story of cultural division when it comes to the 2025 Super Bowl. Nearly a quarter of viewers (24.7%) say Swift’s involvement actually makes them less interested in watching the game. On the other hand, an almost identical percentage (24.6%) are more excited because of her. Good for the other half who don’t seem to care one way or another!

Generational differences emerge starkly in the Swift effect. Younger fans – Millennials and Gen Z – are significantly more enthusiastic about her presence, while older generations like Gen X and Baby Boomers seem considerably less impressed. The excitement doesn’t stop at game attendance; fans are also buzzing about a potential on-field (or post-field) proposal.

A whopping 17% of survey respondents believe Travis Kelce will pop the question after the game, with an additional 24.1% speculating he’ll propose only if the Chiefs clinch a victory. That means millions of Americans could be entertaining the possibility of a high-profile proposal, turning the Super Bowl into part sporting event, part potential romantic milestone.

Interestingly, sportsbooks seem less convinced. While fans are optimistic, betting platforms like FanDuel are offering proposal odds at +750 (just 11.76%) – considerably lower than the survey’s prediction.

The gender breakdown adds another layer of intrigue. Contrary to expectations, females aren’t necessarily more invested in the Swift storyline. In fact, slightly fewer women (6.6%) cited Swift as a primary reason for watching compared to men (9.6%). The romantic narrative, it seems, is appealing across gender lines.

Super Bowl LIX: From Pop Culture To Party Culture

When it comes to watching the big game, most Americans are keeping it casual. About 43% plan to watch at home with family, while 15.6% will fly solo. Party animals can still be found though, especially among younger crowds. Nearly half of Gen Z viewers (47.2%) plan to either host or attend a Super Bowl party, compared to just 17.5% of Baby Boomers.

Some traditions never change. Pizza (29.7%) and wings (28.5%) remain the undisputed champions of Super Bowl snacks, while beer continues its reign as the beverage of choice at 35.1%. However, Gen Z is shaking things up, showing stronger preferences for cocktails and hard seltzers than their parents and grandparents.

For many viewers, the game itself isn’t even the main attraction. While 58.1% tune in primarily for the football, a substantial portion are more excited about the commercials (21.9%) or the halftime show (20%). In fact, 34.3% of viewers admit they pay more attention to the ads than the actual game. These commercials pack a punch too: nearly half of viewers report having purchased products based on Super Bowl advertisements.

Kendrick Lamar’s upcoming halftime performance has generated plenty of buzz, with 47.2% of viewers expressing excitement. Fans are particularly hoping to hear his recent hit “Not Like Us” (23.3%), though “All the Stars” (10.1%) and “HUMBLE.” (10.0%) are also in high demand.

Betting culture has gone digital for Super Bowl LIX, with 42.8% of viewers planning to place wagers. Most will keep their bets modest at $100 or less, and they’ll primarily place them through legal sportsbook apps (53.9%) rather than traditional friendly wagers (26.3%). The generational divide is particularly stark here — while 78.4% of Gen Z bettors plan to use online sportsbooks, only 39.3% of Baby Boomers will do the same.

If there’s one thing we can all bet on, there will be no shortage of storylines and high-quality football to keep everyone interested this year.