Launched in 2021 by Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, alongside George Kittle and Greg Olsen, Tight End University (TEU) has evolved from an intimate Nashville retreat into a global training event. This week, TEU organizers confirmed plans to expand internationally after five successful years in Music City.
“After five years here, we’ve built more than just football drills,” said a league insider. “It’s become a spectacle—training, community, music, charity.”
From June 23–26, Nashville became the epicenter of the NFL tight end community. Over 80 athletes convened at Vanderbilt University for film sessions, on-field drills, and elite-led Q&A workshops led by the famous 3 Tight End players themselves.
“We try to cover all the things a tight end does and give them that extra step forward in their careers,” said George Kittle during a session.
What started out as a modest summer camp in Nashville has grown into a full-blown phenomenon. Co-founded by Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs), George Kittle (49’ers), and retired Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen, Tight End University is now preparing to expand internationally—an evolution rooted in its Music City origins.
In its first year at Lipscomb Academy, fewer than 40 tight ends attended. By 2025, more than 70 pros converged on Vanderbilt University for in-depth film study, advanced drills, and elite mentorship.
Nashville’s charm—its southern hospitality, vibrant music—and its willing infrastructure made it the perfect incubator. Olsen notes that Nashville “means a lot to them,” particularly George Kittle, who lived here in the offseason .
TEU is as much about connections as it is about conditioning. Family presence was core to the event’s spirit.
“One of the cooler elements is just the families coming,” Olsen said. “Guys who were single five years ago [now] have kids; we’ve gotten to know their families; it’s critical.”
The summits also featured surprise musical performances. On June 24 at Brooklyn Bowl, Taylor Swift surprised fans and athletes alike by performing “Shake It Off,” accompanied by Kane Brown and Chase Rice.
Swift’s pop-up performance helped set a new tone: equal parts athletic elite, entertainment, and charitable action. Proceeds went to local and league-selected charities.
Amid rumors of media orchestration—TEU’s opening-night red carpet, celebrity guests, and Swift’s set—Kelce addressed the air of sensationalism on his Bussin’ With the Boys podcast:
“Taylor & I are just enjoying life,” Kelce shared. She naturally attracts attention and handles it with grace. It’s not a publicity stunt,” Kelce insisted .
He added that Swift’s attendance reflects mutual admiration and a shared genuine experience, not a manufactured media moment.
After five transformative years in Nashville, TEU is ready to hit the road. According to producer Peter Raskin, the annual summit is exploring new markets—domestically and internationally—thanks to interest from other U.S. cities and foreign countries.
Raskin emphasized that TEU’s model—covering all player expenses, offering elite training, entertainment, and donating all proceeds to charity—ensured the event wasn’t designed for profit, making it appealing to communities seeking to host a high-impact, athlete-driven experience. He hinted that the next iteration could evolve into a travelling showcase, similar to the NFL Draft, complete with expanded fan-focused components by 2026.
Nashville remains the blueprint, but TEU is gearing up to become a global tour—bringing elite tight end training, star entertainment, and charitable impact to a city near (or far) you in the coming years.
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