It’s that time of year again, and home for the holidays has an all-new meaning at Hallmark with the debut of feature “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.”
The Hallmark Channel, which is based in Kansas City, has tapped into the viral fandom of Super Bowl-winning football team the Chiefs for an NFL-produced co-production holiday film. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce has a very public romance with Taylor Swift and also has made his own acting debut recently. Kelce’s mother Donna Kelce even has a cameo in “Holiday Touchdown,” along with Coach Andy Reid and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.
Reigning Hallmark heartthrob Tyler Hynes leads “Holiday Touchdown” alongside actress Hunter King.
The official synopsis reads: “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. As the pair spends time together, it’s clear there’s a spark between them but when her grandfather’s (Ed Begley Jr.) vintage Chiefs good luck winter hat goes missing, Alana begins to doubt everything she believed about fate, destiny and even questions her future with Derrick – unless, that is, a little Christmas magic can throw a Hail Mary.”
Diedrich Bader, Megyn Price, Christine Ebersole, and Richard Riehle also star.
The celebrity cameos also include appearances by Jenna Bush Hager, Trey Smith, Mecole Hardman Jr., Clyde Edwards-Helaire, George Karlaftis, KC Wolf, Richard Christy, Taylen Biggs, Trent Green, Christian Okoye, and Matt McMullen.
“Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” is directed by John Putch from a script by Julie Sherman Wolfe. The film is executive produced by Dustin Rikert and Skydance Sports, a newly formed venture between Skydance Media and the NFL.
“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,” Darren Abbott, Hallmark’s chief brand officer, said in a statement. “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.”
The feature was entirely shot in Kansas City, Missouri, and even filmed at the Chiefs’ GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Chiefs President Mark Donovan said of the film, “We are honored to partner with Hallmark on a project as unique as this. 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.”
“Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” premieres November 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on the Hallmark Channel. Check out the trailer below and read IndieWire’s recent interview with iconic Hallmark stars Nikki Deloach and Kristoffer Polaha here.
