Are you ready for some football?
It’s game time on Hallmark Channel this holiday season as two renowned Kansas City institutions — the Kansas City Chiefs and Hallmark — team up with the NFL and Skydance Sports for a holiday movie and partnership that will have audiences everywhere cheering TOUCHDOWN!
As previously announced, Tyler Hynes (Shifting Gears, Three Wise Men and a Baby) fans won’t be surprised about this news, as he starred in a promotional advertisement for the Chiefs earlier this year.
That idea must have germinated, giving the collaborators an idea for a full-blown feature.
Hynes, Hunter King (Two Scoops Of Italy, The Santa Summit), and Ed Begley Jr. (Young Sheldon, Better Call Saul) star in the new, original movie Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.
Related: Hallmark’s Sports-Related Movies Ranked!
The movie, which was filmed entirely in Kansas City, Missouri locations, including the iconic GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, marked the first time the loudest stadium in the world has been used as a filming location in a Hallmark movie.
“With Hallmark and the Kansas City Chiefs both homegrown, rooted in values, tradition, and community, there is a special alchemy between these two iconic organizations,” said Darren Abbott, Chief Brand Officer, Hallmark.
“By blending the warmth of Hallmark storytelling with the excitement of professional football, we are thrilled to give audiences a front-row seat to this community’s spirit, rich traditions, and passionate fans that define Kansas City, all wrapped up in the comforting and uplifting Hallmark way.”
“We are honored to partner with Hallmark on a project as unique as this,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said.
“As a club, we pride ourselves on exploring new ways to grow our brand, as well as connect with new audiences.
“This partnership unites two passionate fanbases and gives us an opportunity to show Chiefs Kingdom’s energy and tradition on one of the most-watched channels during the holiday season.”
In Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, Alana Higman (King) is sure that her family’s lifelong history as Kansas City Chiefs superfans makes them a frontrunner to win the team’s “Fan of the Year” contest.
Derrick (Hynes), Director of Fan Engagement, is tasked with evaluating how Alana and her family stack up against the other two finalists.
Related: Tyler Hynes: The Hallmark Heartthrob with a Heart of Gold
As the pair spends time together, it’s clear there’s a spark between them, but then her grandfather’s (Begley Jr.) vintage Chiefs, good luck winter hat, goes missing.
Alana begins to doubt everything she believes about fate and destiny and even questions her future with Derrick — unless, that is, a little Christmas magic can throw a Hail Mary.
In addition to Hynes and King, the previously announced lineup of stars and cameo appearances is endlessly star-studded.
Wide-ranging talents like Jenna Bush Hager, Donna Kelce, Diedrich Bader, Megyn Price, Richard Riehle, Christine Ebersole, Richard Christie, and Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, alongside many of his standout Kansas City Chiefs players, among others, will be featured.
This film marks the ultimate celebration of a longstanding collaboration between the two pioneering KC-based brands, officially uniting the Hallmarkies and Chiefs Kingdom like never before.
With planning underway for game-day activations, unique co-branded merchandise, and on-air, social, and digital promotion, the multifaceted partnership will engage widespread audiences both on and off the field.
What’s more, this film will fuel the proven track record of viewership crossover between Countdown to Christmas enthusiasts and sports fans.
In fact, over 50% of Hallmark Channel viewers also watched sports while the Countdown to Christmas was on air in 2023, making this film the perfect holiday occasion.*
Related: Hallmark Mystery Series: Ranked!
Skydance Sports serves as the Executive Producer of Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.
A newly formed venture between Skydance Media and the NFL, Skydance Sports is designed to create a top-end sports content studio and expand multi-platform sports programming across a broad range of formats.
Kansas City’s downtown skyline will be lit purple and red tonight, beginning at sunset, to celebrate the unique local partnership between the two organizations.
Hallmark has announced a premiere date for the new movie, taking advantage of football season during one of the biggest football weekends of the year — Thanksgiving weekend!
“This holiday season, Hallmark is all about bringing joy to the world,” shared Abbott.
“Our new partnership with the NFL and Chiefs is uniquely designed to do just that — to find universal ways to spread cheer, tell heartwarming stories, and build excitement for our treasured hometown brands during this very special time of year.”
“We are extremely grateful for the entire Hallmark team and the unique hometown partnership that’s been created around our two brands and this movie,” said Donovan
“With the excitement of the start of the football season and the holiday season on the horizon, there is no better way to highlight this partnership and announce the premiere date than to leverage one of Kansas City’s biggest parties — Chiefs gameday!”
Fans will feel the joy of Christmas all season long with Hallmark branded, in-stadium promotion of the movie. Hynes and King announced the latest details on “The World’s Largest Tailgate: Tailgate Games.”
Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story will air on Hallmark Channel on November 30 at 8/7c as part of Countdown to Christmas.
Kansas City fans will get a unique experience as Hallmark x Chiefs in-stadium festivities will unite crowds and enhance their gameday experience, bringing to life the spirit, joy, and warmth of Hallmark’s iconic Christmas movies.
They’re creating a one-of-a-kind experience, including custom Hallmark Channel holiday-branded LED screen animations, activations, giveaways, and more, proving the marriage between and Hallmark will be truly special.
While most of the festivities take place in the Chiefs’ stadium, the rest of us can get excited to get our hands on featured items from what’s sure to be our next favorite Hallmark Christmas movie! (Now that’s a touchdown.)
Here’s your first look at the upcoming movie!
