Zohran Mamdani reveals extraordinary amount Taylor Swift paid to close down NYC for wedding


The A-list event, which reportedly had 1000 guests, roads around the iconic Madison Square Garden were closed to traffic


Taylor Swift celebrates with Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs after defeating the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.  (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)© Getty Images
Rebecca Lewis
Rebecca LewisLos Angeles correspondent
51 minutes ago
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After weeks of speculation around Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding, the pair tied the knot on July 3, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York City.

For the A-list event, which reportedly had 1000 guests watch the pair say "I do," roads around the iconic venue were closed to traffic, and New York City's mayor Zohran Mamdani has now revealed the extraordinary amount Taylor and Travis paid for the closure of at least three blocks and a heavy NYPD presence.

General views around Madison Square Garden on July 3, 2026 in New York City.  (Photo by Andrea Renault/Star Max/GC Images)© GC Images
General views around Madison Square Garden on July 3, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Andrea Renault/Star Max/GC Images)

'Would you also confirm that Taylor Swift will be paying the city back any and all money for police overtime, and if so, how much and to whom?" Mayor Mamdani was asked on Friday, July 10 during a press conference.

He then replied that Taylor had "already paid" for the costs involved.

"Taylor Swift has paid already the cost of the permit that was lodged, which was over $160,000 for that event and for the response to that event," he said. "And that was a permit that was finalized, I think, just [in] the days before the event itself."

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani lights the Empire State Building in celebration of America 250 at The Empire State Building on July 04, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust)© Getty Images
Mayor Zohran Mamdani, pictured on July 4, confirmed the permit cost

HELLO! was at Madison Square Garden on the day, and at least three blocks between 31st street and 34th street on 7th Avenue were closed for arrivals. 

Pedestrian access was severely restricted, and several businesses were closed. 31st Street was closed entirely between 7th Ave and 8th Ave.

Permits are required from city official when large-scale private events require city resources such as street closures or a police presence.

Taylor and Travis invited many famous friends to their special day © Getty Images
Taylor and Travis wed at MSG

Taylor and Travis wed after a three-year relationship. Adam Sandler, who has been described as a "friend" of the couple, officiated the ceremony, and Taylor and Travis chose not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen. Instead, her brother Austin Swift served as Man of Honor, and Travis' brother Jason was Best Man.

Jason's four daughters were flower girls.

Taylor wore a custom Christian Dior Haute Couture gown, designed in collaboration between the singer and the brand's creative director, Jonathan Anderson.

Taylor Swift accepts the Album Of The Year award for Midnights onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards © Getty Images
The billionaire donated $26 million before her wedding to 20 charities

The day before their ceremony, the pair donated $26 million to 20 national charities. A representative for Taylor confirmed the news to HELLO!

The list of 20 organizations included one from Travis' hometown of Cleveland, OH. and one in Taylor's hometown of Reading, PA, two in Kansas City, where Travis plays for the Chiefs, and one in Nashville, Taylor's adopted hometown. Eight were based in New York, and seven national.

Education Through Music was one of the 20, and CEO Janice Weinman told HELLO! that the organization was "extremely grateful for their generosity and their interest for other people and their caring, so it's a wonderful feeling to be on the receiving end".

The non-profit works with over 18,000 underserved students in New York City's under-resourced public schools to provide music education as a core subject, not just as an addition.

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