Touchdown! Donna Kelce to Make Hallmark Movie Debut

Are you ready for some football—with your Christmas movies? Hallmark is cashing in on the Taylor Swift -inspired craze for the Kansas City Chiefs with a new 2024 Christmas movie. Slated to premiere during Hallmark Channel's Countdown to Christmas programming event, Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story will bring football fans into the world of Hallmark's classic Christmas world.

First announced in late June, we got a bit more details during the Television Critics Association panel this weekend. Here's everything we know so far about Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.

What is Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story about?

In Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story , Alana ( Hunter 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 ( Tyler Hynes ), director of fan engagement, is tasked with evaluating how Alana and her family stack up against two other 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.

Why did Hallmark choose the Kansas City Chiefs as the team for the film?

Both the Chiefs and Hallmark's headquarters are located in Kansas City, Missouri. The two are just a short drive away from one another. Physical proximity aside, the fact that Taylor Swift's relationship with the team's tight end surely influenced the partnership too.

“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.”

Will the two brands have cross promotions leading up to the premiere of Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story ?

Yes! The two iconic Kansas City-based brands plan to have unique co-branded merchandise as well as game-day activations and more.

To celebrate the uniquely local partnership between the two organizations, Kansas City’s downtown skyline will be lit purple and red tonight beginning at sunset.

“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.”

Who's in Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story cast?

More like who isn't! The starting lineup for Hallmark Channel's Kansas City Chiefs Christmas movie keeps getting stronger and stronger. In addition to Today co-host Jenna Bush Hager, we now know that Donna Kelce , the mother of Super Bowl winning Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will be joining the cast. If Mama Kelce could just get her son and his girlfriend Taylor Swift to stop by for a cameo!

Hunter King (Alana)

Hunter King is best known for her work as a series regular on CBS' Life in Pieces opposite Colin Hanks , Betsy Brandt and Thomas Sadoski and on The Young and the Restless , where she won two Daytime Emmys for her role. Her previous Hallmark movies include The Santa Summit, The Professional Bridesmaid and A Royal Corgi Christmas. More recently, she starred in Two Scoops of Italy for the network.

Related: I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Two Scoops of Italy !

Tyler Hynes (Derrick)

Tyler Hynes quickly became a fan favorite when he made his Hallmark debut in Falling for You . He followed up with movies like Flip That Romance and It's Christmas, Eve and more recently in Three Wise Men and a Baby. He has also appeared on Letterkenny and UnREAL. He will also star in The Groomsmen trilogy of movies for Hallmark+, the networks newly rebranded streaming service (formerly Hallmark Movies Now). His fans are sweetly referred to as Hynies.

Related: Get Your Motor Running! Katherine Barrell and Tyler Hynes Compete on Hallmark Channel's Shifting Gears

Ed Begley Jr.

Ed Begley Jr. will play Alana's grandfather, a Chiefs superfan. Begley Jr. is probably best known for his years playing Dr. Erhlich on St. Elsewhere . More recently, he starred in Bless This Mess and Young Sheldon . A staunch environmentalist and vegetarian, Begley Jr. has been living green since the 1970s, using electric vehicles or public transportation to get around town. He took the bus to the Academy Awards in 2023 and 2024!

Fun fact: Ed Begley Jr.'s father, Ed Begley , was an Academy-Award winning actor!

Diedrich Bader

Bader is probably best known for his role as Oswald on The Drew Carey Show. As a voice actor, he has voiced characters on Ice Age, The Simpsons, and South Park. Other credits include Veep, Arrested Development, and Young Sheldon.

Jenna Bush Hager

While Hager's role in the film is a closely guarded secret, here's what she had to say when she announced her involvement on the Today show.

Related: Fans Cheer Jenna Bush Hager On As She Makes Exciting Career Announcement

Additional cast recently announced include Megyn Price , Richard Riehle , and Christine Ebersole .

Will there be any Chiefs players or coaches appearing in Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story ?

Head Coach Andy Reid, Chiefs Guard Trey Smith, Wide Receiver Mecole Hardman Jr., Running Back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Defensive End George Karlaftis are set to appear in the film along with other players to be named later.

More importantly, will Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift appear in Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story ?

No word yet if Kelce and Swift will appear in the film, but we do know Mama Kelce will appear. Check out the post below.

When does Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story begin filming?

Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story is currently in production!

Where will Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story film?

Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story will film entirely in Kansas City, Missouri and the surrounding areas, including at Arrowhead Stadium, the stomping grounds for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.

When does Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story premiere?

An official date has yet to be announced, but Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story will premiere during Hallmark Channel's 2024 Countdown to Christmas programming event.

Does Parade have a sneak peek of Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story ?

As production has yet to begin, we don't have anything just yet but check back here for updates!

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