The cast of Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story brings together popular Hallmark performers, experienced television actors, and recognizable members of the Kansas City Chiefs organization in a Christmas movie that blends romance, football, and family traditions. Led by Hunter King and Tyler Hynes, the 2024 Hallmark Channel production follows a devoted Chiefs fan whose participation in a team competition leads to an unexpected romantic connection. With appearances by real-life football personalities, the movie offers something for both holiday romance enthusiasts and NFL supporters.
Directed by John Putch and written by Julie Sherman Wolfe, Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story premiered on November 30, 2024, as part of Hallmark’s annual Countdown to Christmas programming. Its combination of a fictional love story and authentic Kansas City football connections helped distinguish it from other seasonal romantic comedies. The film’s ensemble is central to that appeal, with each performer contributing to a story about loyalty, family history, and the possibility of finding love when life takes an unexpected turn.
What Is Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story About?
The movie centers on Alana Higman, a passionate Kansas City Chiefs supporter whose family has built generations of memories around the team. For the Higmans, football is more than a weekend activity. It is a tradition that connects relatives, brings people together, and gives the family a shared identity.
Alana hopes her family’s enthusiasm and dedication will help them win the Chiefs’ Fan of the Year competition. Her involvement brings her into contact with Derrick Taylor, the organization’s director of fan engagement, who has the responsibility of evaluating the family’s candidacy.
As Derrick learns more about Alana and her relatives, their interactions begin to move beyond the competition. Their growing attraction introduces a romantic dimension to a story already filled with family expectations and football excitement.
An additional complication arrives when a treasured vintage Chiefs winter hat belonging to Alana’s grandfather goes missing. The item has deep sentimental significance, representing the family’s history and its belief in good-luck traditions. Its disappearance challenges Alana’s confidence and adds another layer to her journey.
The movie uses these circumstances to explore how relationships develop when people are willing to look beyond familiar routines. Football provides the setting, Christmas supplies the atmosphere, and the developing relationship between Alana and Derrick gives the story its emotional center.
Main Cast of Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story
The film features a mixture of leading romantic performers and supporting actors with substantial experience in television, comedy, and drama.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Hunter King | Alana Higman |
| Tyler Hynes | Derrick Taylor |
| Ed Begley Jr. | Paul Higman |
| Megyn Price | Leah Higman |
| Diedrich Bader | Hank Higman |
| Christine Ebersole | Norma Young |
| Richard Riehle | Nicolas Young |
| Donna Kelce | The manager |
| Jenna Bush Hager | The emcee |
The production also includes appearances by Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and several real-life players, helping connect the fictional narrative with the team’s actual football culture.
Hunter King as Alana Higman
Hunter King plays Alana Higman, the central character whose devotion to the Kansas City Chiefs shapes much of her personal life. Alana’s family traditions are closely tied to football, and she sees the Fan of the Year competition as an opportunity to celebrate the people and experiences that have made the team meaningful to her.
King’s performance gives Alana an enthusiastic, approachable personality. Her character is confident about her family’s place in Chiefs culture, but she must also navigate uncertainty when circumstances disrupt her expectations. Her developing relationship with Derrick encourages her to consider how much of life can be planned and how much depends on taking a chance.
King has considerable experience in both television drama and romantic entertainment. She is widely recognized for playing Summer Newman on The Young and the Restless, a role that earned her Daytime Emmy Awards. She also appeared in the family comedy Life in Pieces and has starred in several Hallmark productions.
Her previous work in holiday films and romantic comedies makes her well suited to a story that requires both emotional sincerity and lighthearted charm. In this movie, she anchors the narrative while giving viewers a character whose connection to family and football feels personal rather than merely decorative.
Tyler Hynes as Derrick Taylor
Tyler Hynes stars as Derrick Taylor, the Chiefs’ director of fan engagement. His professional responsibility brings him into Alana’s world, initially through the Fan of the Year competition.
Derrick approaches the assignment with the practical mindset expected of someone evaluating potential winners. However, his growing familiarity with Alana gradually changes the relationship. What begins as a professional interaction becomes an opportunity for both characters to discover a connection they did not anticipate.
Hynes has established a strong following among Hallmark viewers through romantic films such as Three Wise Men and a Baby, An Unexpected Christmas, and The Santa Summit. His screen presence often combines dry humor with a more reflective emotional style, making him a popular choice for contemporary holiday romances.
His role in Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story also gives him the opportunity to work within a sports setting without making the football competition the sole focus. Derrick’s personal connection with Alana remains the heart of his storyline, while his position with the Chiefs helps tie the romance to the movie’s distinctive setting.
The chemistry between Hynes and King is an important element of the film’s appeal. Their characters begin with a shared interest in the Chiefs, but their relationship develops through personal conversations, unexpected challenges, and a growing willingness to understand each other.
Ed Begley Jr. as Paul Higman
Veteran performer Ed Begley Jr. plays Paul Higman, Alana’s grandfather. Paul is closely connected to the family’s Chiefs traditions, and his treasured winter hat becomes an important part of the story.
The missing hat represents more than a misplaced possession. It carries memories and sentimental value, connecting the family’s present-day experiences with the traditions that have been passed down over time. Its disappearance creates concern and encourages Alana to reconsider how she responds when familiar sources of comfort are suddenly unavailable.
Begley brings extensive acting experience to the production. His television credits include St. Elsewhere, Arrested Development, and Better Call Saul, while his broader filmography covers comedy, drama, and independent cinema.
His performance helps ground the movie’s lighter moments in the emotional significance of family relationships. Paul represents the generations of memories that give Alana’s enthusiasm for the Chiefs its deeper meaning.
Megyn Price as Leah Higman
Megyn Price appears as Leah Higman, a member of Alana’s family whose presence helps establish the household’s close relationships and shared passion for football.
Price is known for television comedies including Grounded for Life, Rules of Engagement, and The Ranch. Her experience in ensemble productions makes her a natural fit for a story in which family members contribute to the humor and emotional atmosphere.
The Higman family is essential to understanding Alana’s motivations. Their traditions explain why the Fan of the Year competition matters so much and why the disappearance of Paul’s hat affects more than one person. Leah’s place in the family helps reinforce the movie’s emphasis on togetherness during the holiday season.
Diedrich Bader as Hank Higman
Diedrich Bader plays Hank Higman, another member of Alana’s football-loving family.
Bader has worked across sitcoms, feature films, and animation. His credits include The Drew Carey Show, American Housewife, and Office Space. He is also known for voicing Batman in animated productions.
His background in comedy suits a film that balances romantic developments with the sometimes humorous intensity of devoted sports fans. The Higmans’ enthusiasm creates opportunities for playful family interactions, while their shared loyalty provides a foundation for the story’s more sentimental moments.
Hank’s presence helps make the family feel like a genuine group of people with a common history, rather than simply supporting characters assembled around the leading couple.
Christine Ebersole as Norma Young
Christine Ebersole portrays Norma Young, a supporting character within the movie’s broader network of family relationships.
Ebersole is an accomplished actress and singer whose career includes television, film, and Broadway. Her screen credits include Bob Hearts Abishola and The Wolf of Wall Street, while her stage work has earned major recognition in American theater.
Her casting adds another experienced performer to the ensemble. In a Christmas movie centered on family traditions, characters beyond the leading couple help create a sense of community and continuity. Norma contributes to that larger environment, giving the story a broader social world.
Richard Riehle as Nicolas Young
Richard Riehle appears as Nicolas Young. A prolific character actor, Riehle has accumulated numerous television and film credits, including Office Space and Grounded for Life.
Riehle’s long career has included roles across comedy and drama, making him a familiar face to viewers who recognize actors from supporting performances rather than leading roles. His participation helps round out the ensemble and supports the movie’s emphasis on relationships that extend beyond the central romance.
The Young family characters contribute to the wider community surrounding Alana and Derrick, reinforcing the idea that holiday celebrations are often shaped by several generations and overlapping family connections.
Donna Kelce’s Special Appearance
Donna Kelce appears in the film as the manager. Her involvement is particularly appropriate for a story built around the Kansas City Chiefs, given her public recognition as the mother of NFL stars Travis Kelce and Jason Kelce.
Donna Kelce became a familiar figure among football audiences through her sons’ careers and her appearances at major games. Her presence in the movie provides a real-world connection to the team and adds a recognizable personality to the production.
Rather than serving as one of the principal dramatic characters, her appearance functions as a cameo. Nevertheless, it is a memorable detail for viewers who follow the Chiefs and the Kelce family.
Jenna Bush Hager as the Emcee
Jenna Bush Hager makes a special appearance as the emcee. Best known for her broadcasting career and her work on NBC’s Today, she brings a recognizable television personality into the fictional competition.
Her role fits the film’s public-event atmosphere, where the Fan of the Year contest provides an important reason for characters to interact. The appearance also adds a media connection to a production that brings together entertainment, professional football, and holiday programming.
Andy Reid and Kansas City Chiefs Player Appearances
One of the movie’s defining features is its inclusion of real members of the Chiefs organization. Head coach Andy Reid appears as himself, alongside several players associated with the team.
The football personalities featured in the production include Trey Smith, Mecole Hardman Jr., Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and George Karlaftis. Their appearances help establish the connection between the fictional story and the real NFL franchise.
The use of actual Chiefs personalities distinguishes the movie from sports romances that rely entirely on actors portraying fictional athletes. Their participation adds recognizable details for fans and supports the production’s connection to Kansas City.
The movie was filmed in and around Kansas City, including GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Filming at the team’s home stadium gave the production a notable setting and helped bring the Chiefs atmosphere directly onto the screen.
For football supporters, these appearances offer an additional reason to watch. For Hallmark audiences, they create a distinctive setting for a familiar combination of romance, family, and Christmas celebration.
Who Directed the Movie?
John Putch directed Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, with Julie Sherman Wolfe writing the screenplay. The production brought together Hallmark’s holiday entertainment expertise and partners associated with professional sports.
The collaboration included NFL Films and Skydance Sports among the executive production team, with Dustin Rikert serving as producer. This partnership helped give the movie access to recognizable team personalities and a football setting that would be difficult to reproduce convincingly without cooperation from the organization.
The film’s production approach reflects its dual purpose: delivering a romantic Christmas story while appealing to viewers who follow the NFL. The football elements support the central relationship rather than overwhelming it, allowing the movie to remain accessible to audiences who may not be dedicated Chiefs fans.
When Did Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story Premiere?
Hallmark Channel premiered the film on November 30, 2024, as part of its Countdown to Christmas programming. Its arrival brought together two recognizable Kansas City institutions: Hallmark’s holiday entertainment brand and the Chiefs’ passionate fan community.
The film attracted attention as a crossover production and was subsequently promoted by the Chiefs organization as a major cable-movie success. Its appeal rests on a combination of recognizable actors, authentic football connections, and the familiar seasonal themes of family, generosity, and romance.
For viewers discovering the movie during later holiday seasons, its original premiere remains an important part of its identity as the first Chiefs-centered entry in Hallmark’s football-themed holiday series.
Where Can You Watch the Movie?
Viewers can check Hallmark’s current streaming catalog and Hallmark Channel programming for availability. The movie has been associated with Hallmark+, while television broadcasts may be scheduled during seasonal programming periods.
Streaming rights and broadcast schedules can change, so availability may depend on the viewer’s subscription and the current holiday lineup. Checking the latest listings is the best way to determine where the film can be watched.
How the Holiday Touchdown Movies Are Connected
Hallmark subsequently continued its NFL-themed holiday concept with Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story in 2025. The later movie introduced a separate romance connected to the Buffalo Bills.
The franchise continued in 2026 with Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story, featuring Lyndsy Fonseca as Avery and Robert Buckley as Matt. That installment premiered on October 17, 2026, as part of Hallmark’s holiday programming.
These films share a broad concept that combines Christmas romance with the culture of a professional football team, but each installment has its own characters and cast. The later productions do not change the identities of the actors who appeared in the original Chiefs movie.
For viewers searching specifically for the cast of Holiday Touchdown, it is important to distinguish the Kansas City story from the Bills and Bears installments. Hunter King and Tyler Hynes remain the principal stars of A Chiefs Love Story, supported by veteran performers and real-life members of the Chiefs organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the leading actors in Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story?
Hunter King stars as Alana Higman, while Tyler Hynes plays Derrick Taylor. Their characters form the central romantic couple.
Does Andy Reid appear in the movie?
Yes. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid appears as himself, helping connect the fictional story to the real football organization.
Is Donna Kelce part of the cast?
Yes. Donna Kelce makes a special appearance as the manager.
Is the movie based on a true story?
The central romance and the Higman family’s storyline are fictional. However, the production includes real Chiefs personalities and uses authentic Kansas City football locations.
When was the film released?
The movie premiered on Hallmark Channel on November 30, 2024.
Are the Bills and Bears movies sequels?
They are separate installments in Hallmark’s football-themed holiday franchise. Each features a different team setting, storyline, and principal cast.
Final Takeaway
Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story combines the familiar appeal of Hallmark’s Christmas romances with the distinctive atmosphere of Kansas City football. Hunter King and Tyler Hynes lead a cast that includes experienced performers such as Ed Begley Jr., Megyn Price, Diedrich Bader, Christine Ebersole, and Richard Riehle. Special appearances by Donna Kelce, Andy Reid, and Chiefs players give the film an additional layer of authenticity.
The result is a seasonal story about love, family history, and the traditions that bring people together. Whether viewers tune in for the romance, the Christmas atmosphere, or the football cameos, the movie offers a distinctive blend of all three.
Which actor or Chiefs personality made the biggest impression on you? Share your thoughts in the comments and keep checking for more Hallmark movie news and cast updates!