Hallmark’s Holiday Touchdown 2026 Spotlights Chicago Bears

Hallmark Channel is heading back to the football field this holiday season. This time, the spotlight is shining on one of the NFL’s most historic — and, let’s be honest, polarizing — franchises.

Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story is officially happening. It marks the third installment in Hallmark’s football-meets-festive-romance series.

Not everyone is doing the Super Bowl Shuffle over this news. Still, it’s hard to deny that this latest team-up between Hallmark Media, the NFL, and Skydance Sports is set to be one of the most talked-about Countdown to Christmas premieres.

The Holiday Touchdown Franchise Expands to Chicago

After back-to-back wins with previous NFL-themed romances, Hallmark is doubling down on football fandom as the perfect holiday backdrop. This year, the Chicago Bears are officially joining the Hallmark cinematic universe.

From Chiefs Kingdom to Bears Territory

The first two films in the series proved that football and holiday magic actually work together. The franchise started with:

• Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story in 2024
• Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story in 2025

Both movies delivered cozy romance, family traditions, and a real look at passionate football fan bases. Now, the franchise heads to the Windy City for its third chapter.

The Chicago installment is set to premiere during Hallmark Channel’s 17th annual Countdown to Christmas in 2026.

This time, production will film entirely in and around Chicago. Expect sweeping shots of landmarks, local traditions, and the buzz that comes with one of football’s most storied teams.

Why the Chicago Bears Make Sense — Even If You’re Not a Fan

Let’s be real: the Bears inspire strong feelings. But whether you love them or not, their legacy is huge.

This franchise is built on generational loyalty, unforgettable moments, and a fan base that wears navy and orange like armor.

A Franchise Built on History and Heart

Hallmark Media president Darren Abbott said the team wanted another iconic NFL franchise with a culture that goes way beyond the field. That’s Chicago in a nutshell.

Few teams do tradition like the Bears. Sunday games are family rituals. Tailgates feel like reunions.

Even during tough seasons, the loyalty sticks. Skydance Sports, back as executive producer, gets that the best sports stories are about the fans as much as the players.

In Chicago, fandom is practically inherited. It’s like pulling out a treasured ornament every year — you just do it.

What We Know About Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story

The plot and cast are still under wraps, but a few details have already trickled out. And honestly, they’re enough to get speculation going.

Production Details and Familiar Faces

Here’s what’s confirmed so far:

• The movie will premiere during Countdown to Christmas 2026.
• Production starts this summer.
• Filming will be entirely in Chicago and nearby areas.
• Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson and Tight End Colston Loveland showed up in the announcement video.
• Skydance Sports is back as Executive Producer.

The Chicago backdrop is a big deal. Think snowy skyline shots, neighborhood taverns glowing with holiday lights, and maybe even Soldier Field dressed up for winter.

Hallmark loves turning real places into emotional set pieces, and Chicago’s got plenty of material. There’s also some hopeful buzz about cameos — Ryan McPartlin, a Chicago native and Hallmark favorite, would be a fun nod, but nothing’s set in stone yet.

The NFL and Hallmark: An Unexpectedly Perfect Partnership

At first glance, football and sentimental holiday romance seem like a weird combo. But somehow, this partnership just works.

Growing the Brand Beyond the Field

For the Bears, this movie is more than just a flick. Team president and CEO Kevin Warren talked about deepening the connection with fans and growing the franchise’s global brand in creative ways.

This is similar to what the Chiefs and Bills did in previous films. By leaning into nostalgia and community pride, the movies become both romantic escapes and subtle brand stories.

And honestly, football is already packed with emotion. Throw in mistletoe, family drama, and a last-minute love confession in the snow, and you’ve got a recipe that’s hard to resist.

Will Fans Embrace It?

Not every viewer is going to love seeing the Bears in the spotlight. Some football rivalries run deep, and Chicago’s got plenty of them.

But the heart of the Holiday Touchdown franchise isn’t really about wins and losses. It’s about shared humanity, and maybe that’s what makes these films work.

Football as a Love Language

The first two movies treated fandom as its own kind of love language. They explored what it means to bond over jerseys, game-day rituals, and memories from seasons gone by.

The team itself becomes shorthand for identity and belonging. Chicago offers that emotional shorthand in spades.

The Bears are woven into the city’s fabric. Whether you’re talking about the legendary 1985 team or just the everyday loyalty of fans, there’s a lot of storytelling potential here.

The only thing everyone might agree on? Please, don’t bring back The Shuffle. Some things are better left in the past.

What Could the Story Be?

No official synopsis yet, but that’s never stopped anyone from guessing.

Potential Plot Possibilities

Based on the franchise’s formula, here’s what’s likely:

• A career-driven lead returns home to Chicago for the holidays.
• There’s a rekindled romance tied to old Bears traditions.
• A family business or community event is linked to game day.
• Expect a climactic scene set during a big football moment.

Hallmark is good at weaving sports milestones into emotional turning points. Maybe a crucial play mirrors a romantic risk, or a family rivalry over Bears loyalty becomes the path to reconciliation.

Whatever the writers pick, Chicago itself will probably feel like a character — cold, proud, stubborn, and, in its own way, warm-hearted.

The Countdown to Christmas Just Got Bigger

Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas is an annual tradition for millions. Now in its 17th year, the event keeps evolving but still feels like comfort food for the soul.

Why This Installment Matters

The Holiday Touchdown films show Hallmark’s knack for mixing things up while sticking to what works. This time, by teaming up with big NFL franchises, the network grabs the attention of existing fans and still gives viewers the heartfelt stories they’re after.

Maybe you’re a lifelong Bears fan. Or maybe you just watch football for the snacks—or, honestly, just for the romance.

This film’s probably going to get people talking. Will Chicago be into its Hallmark moment?

Will folks love this third one as much as the Chiefs and Bills movies? And, come on, who’s going to lead in this snowy, sportsy love story?