Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story
| Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Romantic comedy |
| Teleplay by | Julie Sherman Wolfe |
| Directed by | John Putch |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Tommy Fields |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Jason T. Reed |
| Producers |
|
| Cinematography | Andrew Rawson |
| Editor | Kat Spiess |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Production company | Hallmark Media |
| Original release | |
| Network | Hallmark Channel |
| Release | November 30, 2024 |
Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story is a 2024 American romantic comedy Christmas television film directed by John Putch. It tells the story of Alana, a Kansas City Chiefs fan whose family is competing to win the team's Fan of the Year contest, which is being judged by Derrick, who has recently moved to Kansas City to work as the Chiefs director of fan engagement. The film stars Hunter King as Alana, Tyler Hynes as Derrick, and Ed Begley Jr. as Alana's grandfather Paul.
Cast
- Hunter King as Alana Higman
- Tyler Hynes as Derrick Taylor
- Ed Begley Jr. as Paul Higman
- Megyn Price as Leah Higman
- Diedrich Bader as Hank Higman
- Christine Ebersole as Norma Young
- Richard Riehle as Nicholas Young
- Jamie Addison as Beth
- Donna Kelce as Barbeque Restaurant Manager
- Abraham Benrubi as Santa
- Meagan Flynn as Courtney
- Trent Green as himself
- Mary Beth McDonough as Carole
- Jenna Bush Hager as Emcee
- Kandice Robins as Chatty Customer
- Wes Brown as Pop-Up Bartender
- Cameo appearances by Chiefs players Mecole Hardman, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Trey Smith, George Karlaftis, Christian Okoye, head coach Andy Reid, K.C. Wolf, Chiefs team reporter Matt McMullen, Chiefs announcer Mitch Holthus, and Kansas City, Missouri mayor Quinton Lucas.[1][2]
Production and filming
Filming took place in July 2024, with filming locations at Arrowhead Stadium and other Chiefs facilities as well as Independence, Missouri on the Independence Square.[2]
Reception
Linda Holmes of NPR praised the film for its focus towards sports fans and the sport of football in general, writing "the idea of centering a holiday movie around a family's love of the home team is a pretty good one."[3] John Simmons from OutKick rated the film a 7 out of 10, stating "You can’t go into a Hallmark movie expecting to be blown away by some deeply insightful thematic message. When I watched this movie, I didn’t, and therefore didn’t set myself up for disappointment. But even with those managed expectations, I still left the movie feeling satisfied."[4] Meg James of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the film "mines the real-life phenomenon of multi-generational relationships bound by a shared love of the Chiefs."[5]
Future
On March 27, 2025, it was reported that a second "Holiday Touchdown" Hallmark film would be made, focusing on the Buffalo Bills fanbase for the second iteration in the series.[6]
See also
References
- ^ Easton Jr., Ed (July 14, 2024). "Andy Reid, Mecole Hardman, and more to feature in 'Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story'". Chiefs Wire. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ a b Ellis, Maddie (25 November 2024). "Christmas in July: How the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium became the setting of Hallmark's biggest movie yet". Today.com. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ Holmes, Linda (November 30, 2024). "Sure, the Chiefs' Hallmark movie is a rom-com. It's also a love letter to sports fans". NPR. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ Simmons, John (December 1, 2024). "'A Chiefs Love Story' Was A Typical Hallmark Movie, But I Still Really Enjoyed It". OutKick. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ James, Meg (November 30, 2024). "Hallmark Channel fields its own K.C. football romance (not Taylor and Travis)". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ "Hallmark Media, NFL, Skydance Sports and the Buffalo Bills will premiere 'Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story' during the 2025 Christmas season". www.buffalobills.com.
