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| Where Was Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story Filmed? All the Chicago Locations Revealed. |
Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story brings Christmas romance and Chicago Bears fandom together against the backdrop of Chicago, Illinois. The 2026 Hallmark film was shot on location across the city, with production visiting recognisable football landmarks, downtown streets and neighbourhood businesses. For viewers hoping to follow in the characters' footsteps, the most interesting stops include Soldier Field, Halas Hall, Federal Plaza and Andersonville Hardware Store.
The production also transformed parts of Chicago into a festive winter setting, despite filming during the summer. Because not every individual filming spot has been publicly identified, this guide focuses on documented locations and related Chicago destinations worth adding to a travel itinerary. After all, nothing says Christmas quite like artificial snow, a football stadium and a city wondering why there is a Christmas market in July.
The film stars Lyndsy Fonseca as Avery Clark, a reporter assigned to profile Darlene Donnelly, a devoted Bears supporter approaching her 500th game. Robert Buckley plays Matt, Darlene's grandson and a Chicago firefighter who helps Avery understand his grandmother's extraordinary connection to the team. Their developing romance unfolds alongside family traditions and the city's sporting culture. Hallmark confirmed that production would take place entirely in and around Chicago, making the Windy City an essential part of the film's identity rather than a generic backdrop dressed up to look vaguely American. The film premieres on Hallmark Channel.
Soldier Field is one of the most important locations associated with Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story. Situated at 1410 Special Olympics Drive, Chicago, the stadium has been home to the Chicago Bears since 1971 and remains one of the city's defining sporting landmarks. Its distinctive colonnades and position beside Lake Michigan make it instantly recognisable to football fans.
The stadium features in the film's Chicago Bears setting, connecting the story's fictional family traditions with the real team's history. Visitors can explore the surrounding Museum Campus and enjoy views across the lake, although access to the stadium's interior depends on events, tours and availability. For fans, it is the obvious first stop: if you are making a pilgrimage for a Bears-themed Christmas romance, you might as well begin where the football happens.
Halas Hall, at 1920 Football Drive in Lake Forest, Illinois, is another significant filming location. The Chicago Bears' headquarters and training facility provides a genuine connection to the team that inspired the film. Unlike a studio recreation, the facility is part of the organisation's actual operations, giving the production an authentic sporting environment.
Its involvement also reflects the collaboration between Hallmark Media, Skydance Sports, the NFL and the Bears. Lake Forest offers a different atmosphere from central Chicago, with leafy residential streets, historic architecture and a quieter suburban setting. However, Halas Hall is a working team facility rather than a conventional tourist attraction, so visitors should respect access restrictions instead of expecting to wander inside and bump into their favourite players. Even the most committed fan needs to respect a locked gate.
Federal Plaza, in Chicago's Loop at 230 South Dearborn Street, is another key location associated with the production. Known for its modernist architecture and Alexander Calder's bright-red Flamingo sculpture, the plaza is a distinctive part of the downtown landscape. Production crews transformed the area into a festive setting, creating the sort of seasonal atmosphere that makes Chicago look ready for Christmas even when the calendar insists otherwise.
The surrounding Loop is packed with offices, public buildings, restaurants and architectural landmarks, making it an easy place to explore on foot. Visitors can also appreciate the area's striking mixture of historic buildings and modern design. Federal Plaza is particularly appealing to anyone interested in seeing how a familiar urban space can be reimagined for a holiday film without rebuilding an entire city.
Andersonville Hardware Store on North Clark Street is one of the production's most interesting neighbourhood locations. The independent shop in Andersonville was transformed for filming in July 2026, with the production team dressing the exterior for the movie's festive setting. The business became a real-world filming location rather than a purpose-built set, bringing a touch of local character to the production. Andersonville itself is known for its independent shops, cafés, restaurants and welcoming neighbourhood atmosphere.
It is a worthwhile destination for visitors who prefer exploring local businesses over spending an entire holiday taking photographs of famous buildings. The hardware store's involvement also illustrates how productions can introduce a smaller business to audiences far beyond its usual customer base. Just remember that a working shop is still a working shop, not a permanent film attraction waiting for a photo shoot.
The NBC Tower and CityFront Plaza area also featured in reports from the production's early filming days. Located near Columbus Drive and the Chicago River, the area sits within the city's bustling downtown district, surrounded by office buildings, hotels and major roads. Film crews were spotted with production trailers around the NBC Tower during July 2026, offering a glimpse of the practical work behind the finished film.
CityFront Plaza is a useful stop for visitors exploring the Riverwalk and the architecture along the river. The surrounding streets offer plenty of opportunities to see Chicago's urban character at close range, from towering buildings to busy pedestrian routes. It is also a reminder that filming locations are not always glamorous sets: sometimes they are simply ordinary city spaces temporarily occupied by cameras, lighting equipment and people trying to keep everything running on schedule.
Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park deserves a place on any Chicago itinerary built around the film's broader setting. The landmark stands at the centre of the park's scenic open spaces, with views towards the city's skyline and Lake Michigan. Although it should not automatically be treated as a confirmed filming spot for this particular production, it is a fitting destination for visitors wanting to experience the same city atmosphere.
The fountain is one of Chicago's best-known public landmarks, and the surrounding park provides room to walk, relax and take in the architecture. Seasonal operation varies, so visitors should check local conditions before planning their trip around the water displays. For a holiday-film-inspired visit, the location offers the right combination of open space, recognisable scenery and the possibility of a very good photograph without needing a film crew to arrange the lighting.
The Magnificent Mile, stretching along North Michigan Avenue, is another worthwhile destination for fans exploring Chicago's festive side. The famous shopping district is known for its department stores, hotels, restaurants and elaborate seasonal displays. Its busy pavements and grand commercial buildings provide an appealing contrast to the neighbourhood settings associated with the film.
While the avenue is not established here as a specific filming location, its Christmas decorations and winter shopping atmosphere make it a natural addition to a broader Chicago trip inspired by Hallmark's holiday setting. Visitors can browse the shops, explore nearby architectural landmarks and enjoy views of the city from street level. It is also the sort of place where a quick festive stroll can become an expensive afternoon, particularly if every shop window persuades you that Christmas absolutely requires another purchase.
Lincoln Park offers a different perspective on Chicago, with residential streets, historic homes, green spaces and access to the lakefront. The wider neighbourhood is a good choice for visitors wanting to discover the city's quieter, more residential side beyond its famous downtown landmarks. Its architecture and tree-lined streets suit the cosy atmosphere commonly associated with Christmas romances, although the specific claim that particular homes here doubled as the Donnelly family residence should not be treated as established without additional production evidence.
Instead, consider Lincoln Park a related destination for experiencing the kind of neighbourhood character that makes Chicago more than a collection of skyscrapers and sports venues. The area also offers parks, cafés and opportunities for a leisurely walk. It is an especially good option for anyone who enjoys exploring a city at a slower pace rather than racing between landmarks with a camera and a colour-coded spreadsheet.
Christkindlmarket is another fitting addition to a Chicago holiday itinerary. The city's well-known German-inspired Christmas market is famous for its seasonal stalls, handmade gifts, food and festive atmosphere. Reports about the film's production describe a reconstructed holiday-market setting in downtown Chicago, bringing the familiar look of a winter market to a summer shoot. That distinction matters: a recreated set is not necessarily the same thing as filming at the actual annual market.
Visitors can nevertheless explore Chicago's genuine Christmas-market traditions when the seasonal event is operating. Expect a lively atmosphere, plenty of opportunities to browse and the usual temptation to buy festive treats before you have even finished looking around. It is an excellent way to experience the real seasonal character that holiday films aim to capture, without needing artificial snow or a production assistant carrying a very large bag of decorations.
Chicago's sports pubs are also part of the city's wider appeal for fans of Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story. The Wrigleyville area, around the famous Wrigley Field, is particularly associated with Chicago's sporting culture, with bars and restaurants attracting supporters on game days. The area is worth exploring for its lively atmosphere and strong connection to local teams, although individual pubs should not be labelled as filming locations without specific confirmation. Visitors can enjoy a meal, watch a match or simply experience how seriously Chicago takes its sports traditions.
For anyone following the film's football theme, this is an opportunity to experience the community spirit that sits behind the fictional romance. It also provides an alternative to sightseeing: sometimes the best way to understand a city's sporting identity is to sit down, order something to eat and listen to the locals explain why their team is obviously going to have a brilliant season this time.
A Chicago Fire Department station is another setting that naturally connects with Matt's occupation in the story, but a specific station address should not be presented as a confirmed location without reliable production details. Visitors interested in Chicago's firefighting history can instead explore the city's wider civic landmarks and learn about the work of its emergency services. Chicago's firehouses are active workplaces, not attractions designed for casual drop-ins, so it is important to respect operational needs and access restrictions.
This is particularly relevant for fans hoping to recreate scenes involving Matt's professional life. The character's occupation adds another layer to the film's connection with Chicago, but it does not mean every firehouse seen or imagined in the story is open to visitors. A little research before travelling can save a wasted journey and avoid interrupting people who have considerably more important things to do than explain a film location.
The production's use of Chicago also makes sense in the context of the film's relationship with the real Bears organisation. Alongside the main cast, the movie features appearances by members of the team's current and former football community, including head coach Ben Johnson, quarterback Caleb Williams, tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland, former players Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton and Charles Tillman, and mascot Staley Da Bear.
Connie Payton, the wife of the late Walter Payton, is also among the featured names. These appearances give the production a direct connection to the franchise, helping the film celebrate the people and traditions that have shaped the team's identity. For supporters, the combination of a festive romance and familiar football personalities may be every bit as appealing as the central love story.
In my opinion, the most appealing thing about Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story is its decision to make Chicago part of the experience rather than treating the city as disposable scenery. Soldier Field brings genuine sporting history, Andersonville adds neighbourhood character, and Federal Plaza shows how a familiar urban space can be transformed into a festive setting. That mixture gives fans several different ways to connect with the film, whether they care more about football, architecture, shopping or Christmas traditions.
There is also something amusing about a movie creating a winter wonderland in the middle of summer, when the production team must have spent plenty of time making warm-weather Chicago look like December. Not every location needs to become a pilgrimage, of course, and a working training facility is hardly a casual tourist stop. Still, the combination of recognisable landmarks and local businesses makes this a particularly appealing film for anyone planning a Chicago holiday.
For anyone hoping to visit the locations, the best approach is to build an itinerary around the established filming spots and use the city's other attractions to fill the gaps. Soldier Field and Federal Plaza offer recognisable landmarks, Andersonville provides a more local experience, and the downtown area makes it easy to combine several stops in one day. Halas Hall requires particular care because it is a working facility with restricted access.
Remember, too, that a film's final edit can make a location look very different from its real-world appearance, especially when seasonal decorations and carefully framed shots are involved. Which place would you visit first: the home of the Chicago Bears, the Andersonville shop or the festive streets of downtown Chicago? Share your favourite choice and tell us which other Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story locations you would love to explore. We will keep this guide updated as further specific filming details become available.