Hallmark’s Holiday Touchdown: NFL‑Inspired Christmas Romances

When Hallmark announced a partnership with the NFL in early 2024, nobody quite knew what to expect – a little football, a lot of tinsel, and a whole lot of heart. The result? The "Holiday Touchdown" franchise, a series of Christmas‑time movies that blend the feel‑good vibe of Hallmark’s classic romances with the roar of stadium crowds.

The very first entry, Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, hit the screens in November 2024. It follows a scrappy Kansas City family competing for a coveted "Fan of the Year" trophy, while daughter Alana (Hunter King) finds herself tangled up with the team’s fan‑engagement director, Derrick (Tyler Hynes). Filming at Arrowhead Stadium gave the crew an authentic backdrop, and even the Chiefs’ mascot made a cameo – proof that the network really went the extra yard.

Fast forward to 2025, and the franchise packed its bags for upstate New York. Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story introduced viewers to childhood sweethearts Morgan (Holland Roden) and Gabe (Matthew Daddario), who team up to solve the mystery of a decades‑old, Bills‑themed holiday gift. The cast even got to tailgate with the infamous Bills Mafia, drinking from a giant bowling‑ball mug and, according to Roden, serving as “Q‑tip Girl” for a particularly enthusiastic fan. The whole experience apparently turned her into a die‑hard Bills supporter.

And just when you thought the series might slow down, Hallmark shifted the action to Chicago in 2026 with Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story. This time, freelance reporter Avery (Lyndsy Fonseca) returns home for the holidays and lands a profile piece on super‑fan Darlene Donnelly (Marsha Mason), who’s about to attend her 500th Bears game. With little knowledge of football, Avery relies on Darlene’s grandson Matt (Robert Buckley) – a firefighter with a deep‑rooted Bears pedigree – to guide her through game‑day rituals, festive city scenes, and a budding romance that proves love can be the best Christmas gift of all.

All three movies share a common thread: they’re more than just holiday fluff. Each film uses the local football culture to explore community, tradition, and the way sports bring strangers together. Whether you’re a die‑hard fan or just in it for the cozy sweaters and mugs of hot cocoa, there’s a little something for everyone.

Hallmark’s "Countdown to Christmas" lineup, which kicks off each October, has made these titles a staple for families gathering around the TV. The network typically rolls out the new Holiday Touchdown installment just before the NFL season officially begins, letting viewers soak up both holiday cheer and a bit of pre‑season excitement.

If you’re planning a marathon, start with the Chiefs film for that fresh‑off‑the‑field energy, move to Buffalo for a hearty dose of up‑state hospitality, and finish in Chicago where the city’s skyline and Bears fandom provide the perfect winter backdrop. Grab a blanket, some cookies, and maybe a side of football trivia – you’ll thank us later.