Fans React as Hallmark Confirms New Chicago Bears Christmas Movie as Team Threatens Move to Indiana: ‘Is This Filmed in Hammond?’
Hallmark Channel’s third NFL-focused Christmas movie will be set in Chicago.
On Thursday, the network announced Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story would premiere as part of 2026’s Countdown to Christmas event. The film – whose cast has not yet been announced – follows 2024’s Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story and 2025’s Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story.
Chicago Bears team up with Hallmark for Christmas movie
Bears head coach Ben Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland shared the news in an Instagram video.
“This one’s for fans and everyone who rides with us in Bear nation,” Loveland said.
In a statement, Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Chicago Bears, said that the team was “honored, grateful, and excited” to be working with Hallmark, Skydance Sports, and NFL Films on the upcoming movie.
“As we continually look for ways to further the connection with our passionate Chicago Bears fans and amplify our global brand in creative ways, we will provide our club and our fans with the opportunity to grow together by creating a special, meaningful movie,” he said.
“Few fan bases carry their team’s history the way Chicago carries the Bears, a devotion that has been passed down from generation to generation,” said Jessica Matthews, SVP of film and TV at Skydance Sports.
Fans have suggestions for the plot of Hallmark’s next NFL movie
Reaction to the movie announcement on social media was mixed. On Hallmark’s official Instagram, some commenters said they were excited.
“The Bears AND a Hallmark movie?! Christmas dreams do come true,” one person wrote.
But others took an opportunity to make a crack about the Bears’ plans to abandon their longtime home at Soldier Field for a new stadium.
“I hope it’s a story about a player falling in love with a council person and she SAVES SOLDIER FIELD and Christmas,” one person wrote.
The Bears have made it clear that they intend to leave the iconic but outdated facility on Lake Michigan just south of the city’s downtown. (Soldier Field is the oldest stadium in the NFL and has the second-smallest capacity.) The team planned to build a new stadium on a site it owns in suburban Arlington Heights, but that project has stalled because of a dispute over tax breaks. Recently, the team has threatened to leave Illinois entirely for a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, about 20 miles from downtown Chicago. The debate has dragged on for months, much to the frustration of fans.
“Is this filmed in Hammond?” one person quipped.
Some joked that the situation should be incorporated into the plot of the new movie.
“Star-crossed lovers: She’s from Arlington Heights and he’s from Hammond,” one wrote.
“He runs a Christmas tree farm on top of a slag heap in Hammond,” another proposed. “She’s returning home from her corporate law job in Arlington Heights. Her firm is working on the eminent domain case to take his land for the Bears new stadium. Will true love and Christmas spirit prevail?!”
Others just wanted their beloved team to stay in the Windy City.
“The love story we all want – falling back in love with the city and skyline that loves you,” one person commented.
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