First look: Here’s debut date for Hallmark’s Chiefs Christmas movie filmed in KC
You can make those watch party plans now. The Hallmark Christmas movie about the Kansas City Chiefs will debut Saturday, Nov. 30, on Thanksgiving weekend.
“Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story” will premiere at 7 p.m. Central on the Hallmark Channel as part of its annual “Countdown to Christmas.”
Hallmark announced the premiere date on Thursday before the beginning of the new NFL season in which the Chiefs will try to win a historic third consecutive Super Bowl.
The stars of the movie, Hallmark favorites Tyler Hynes and Hunter King, announced the news at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium during the “World’s Largest Tailgate: Tailgate Games” before the Chiefs played the Baltimore Ravens.
The movie was filmed in July at several locations in Independence and around Kansas City, including Arrowhead.
Chiefs Kingdom will recognize many faces in the movie. Donna Kelce, mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, coach Andy Reid, and Chiefs players Trey Smith, Mecole Hardman Jr., Clyde Edwards-Helaire and George Karlaftis made cameo appearances.
Hallmark and the Chiefs plan activities at Arrowhead, promotions and giveaways for the movie including:
Gate Giveaway: Fans will receive a Chiefs-Hallmark Channel themed pendant at the Nov. 29 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Hallmark “Star Cam”: This special “kiss cam” will dub fans in the crowd “Secret Hallmark Fan,” “Queen of Christmas” and other Hallmark holiday movie superlatives at home games during the season.
Hallmark Tailgate Activation Zone: A tailgate featuring photo opportunities, free hot cocoa and other activities all season.
In the movie, King plays Alana Higman, who is certain that her family’s lifelong history as Chiefs superfans makes them a shoe-in to win the team’s “Fan of the Year” contest.
Hynes plays Derrick, the team’s director of fan engagement, who must evaluate how Alana’s family stacks up against other finalists. No surprise — sparks fly between the two.
When a lucky vintage Chiefs hat belonging to Alana’s grandfather, played by Ed Begley Jr., goes missing, her faith in fate, destiny, even a possible future with Derrick, is shaken.
Cue the Christmas magic.
“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,” Chiefs president Mark Donovan said in a statement Thursday.
“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 game day!”
