On Tuesday, Camille Kostek posted on her Instagram story confirming she is back for her ninth Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot, this time in Botswana. "I've been keeping a secret!! I'm back for my 9th year shooting for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2026 in Botswana," she wrote. She followed it with shots from the location: one posing by a truck in a leopard-print top and another sun-drenched, captioned "So happy to be back."
Kostek first shot for SI in 2018 and landed her first cover in 2019. Nine years in, she is still showing up. Meanwhile, her relationship with retired NFL star Rob Gronkowski has quietly crossed the decade mark, and fans have been waiting on one thing the whole time.
Camille Kostek has been shooting Sports Illustrated Swimsuit since 2018 and is now heading to Botswana for her ninth year
The 2026 shoot marks a milestone. Kostek posted both a teaser and a full swimsuit reveal on Instagram, confirming the Botswana location.
In late February, Gronkowski also celebrated her 34th birthday on Instagram with the caption "Happy Birthday my Love," posting a selfie, a picture together, and a shot of Kostek on a yacht.
Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek's relationship timeline: from a sneaky phone number to Super Bowl confetti and still no ring
November 2013: They meet at a Patriots Thanksgiving charity event
Gronkowski and Kostek were filling turkey baskets for families in need through a Goodwill Boston event. His teammate slipped her his number, written on the back of a name sticker. She kept it to herself. "I didn't make it locker room talk. I never spoke about it," she recalled on SiriusXM's This Is Happening. A few days later, she FaceTimed him.
September 2015: They go public after two years of keeping it quiet
Kostek was spotted cheering for Gronkowski from the stands. That same month, she posted a photo with him captioned "Friday night date night", his first appearance on her Instagram.
July 2016: Their first official red carpet at Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports Awards
May 2019: Kostek lands her first SI Swimsuit cover, Gronkowski plays personal bodyguard
At the launch party in Miami, Gronkowski stood watch at the entrance of her VIP section, got behind the DJ booth, and did squats with Kostek on his back.
February 7, 2021: Kostek watches Gronkowski win Super Bowl LV in a rhinestone jacket with his name and number
She posted them kissing in the confetti with the caption "Tastes like a champion."
January 2023: Gronkowski confirms engagement talk but blames busy schedules
In an interview with PEOPLE, he said they "definitely talk about" getting engaged, then added: "Maybe some magic will happen. ... [It's] going to have to eventually happen." It didn't, at least not publicly.
February 2025: Kostek describes their life as "so busy" but says it's fun
Ahead of Super Bowl LIX, she told Fox News Digital: "He's stepped into this next chapter of his life, but he's so busy with FOX." She added: "We're always finding something to challenge us." Nine years together. Four Super Bowls. Nine SI shoots. Still no ring announced. Gronkowski has a lot to keep up with.
Celebrating India's sporting legends at the Times of India Sports Awards - Book Passes Now!Natasha Bose has been covering the NFL with sharp, engaging takes...
Read MoreNatasha Bose has been covering the NFL with sharp, engaging takes that make the game feel alive for readers. She can also be found writing about the WNBA and NBA, bringing the same energy and eye for detail to every court and field. Off the beat she is delightfully extra, she will happily drag you into a 3 a.m. binge of Haikyuu!! or Sakamoto Days and then dare you to sit through The Ring or The Haunting of Hill House. That mix of sports, scares, and storytelling gives her writing a voice that’s as fearless as it is fun.
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