The new Hallmark movie "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story" takes center stage with a Kansas City Chiefs theme. However, don't anticipate any mentions of tight end Travis Kelce and pop star Taylor Swift. This film, set to air on Saturday on Hallmark, loosely draws inspiration from their high-profile romance. It does, however, have numerous NFL connections, including cameos from Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, several players, and Donna Kelce, the mother of Travis Kelce and his brother Jason (a retired NFL player).

Expanding Audiences and Shared Interests

The release of this movie comes at a time when both Hallmark and the NFL aim to expand their audience reach. Over the past year, Swift's public and viral love story with Kelce has captivated fans online who have long been rooting for the singer's happiness. Swifties, as fans of the artist call themselves, have also become invested in the sport. According to Variety, in 2023, more than half of the network's "Countdown to Christmas" viewers also watched sports, and during that period, 24% of Hallmark's total day audience was male.The Chiefs took advantage of the fandom's interest in Swift and Kelce's romance by having Hallmark stars Tyler Hynes and Janel Parrish create a spoof rom-com movie trailer as part of a postseason celebration. Hallmark, known for its themed programming around major holidays, subsequently teamed up with the NFL for a larger partnership.

The Movie's Plot and Characters

Filmed in part at the Chiefs' home field of Arrowhead Stadium, the new movie follows Alana (Hunter King), a die-hard Chiefs fan whose family is competing for the "Fan of the Year" award. Derrick (Hynes), the team's director of fan engagement, is tasked with evaluating Alana's candidacy in the contest. As they get to know each other, the loss of her family's lucky vintage Chiefs hat creates a complication in their developing relationship.Chiefs guard Trey Smith, wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr., running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and defensive end George Karlaftis make surprise appearances throughout the film. King described the players as "all so sweet and very talented," adding that Donna Kelce was also "a hoot" to work with. "All of us became obsessed with Donna. She had a fan club of us on set, of all of us who were just dying to talk to her and spend time with her," King said. "But we're just forever grateful that all of them agreed to be a part of our movie."In the movie, Donna Kelce wears a No. 87 jersey, paying homage to the actual jersey number of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, as she plays the manager at Kansas City barbecue restaurant Norma & Nic's. This role is part of the NFL mom's foray into acting. On Friday, she will make her acting debut in a different Hallmark movie with nods to her son Jason Kelce, the former Philadelphia Eagles center. Set in Philadelphia, "Christmas on Call" features a cameo from Donna Kelce in an Eagles jersey.

The Impact of Sports and Love

"Sports brings people together, and that's what our brand is all about," Darren Abbott, Hallmark's chief brand officer, told Variety. Swift and Kelce's love story "has permeated this culture and planet in a way that I think gives a lot of people hope and just warmth," said Hynes, who plays the co-lead Derrick in "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story." "We're all just fans of love. And their love being on such a grand stage and being so wonderful, I think, finds its way into all of culture, and we're certainly included."

Hallmark's Holiday Movie Lineup

For its 15th annual "Countdown to Christmas," Hallmark plans to debut 47 new movies in total. While "Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story" is one of the highlights, Lifetime also released its own rival title, "Christmas in the Spotlight," a holiday movie about a singer in love with a football player. This shows the growing competition and the power of tapping into different fandoms during the holiday season.