Arsenal Football Club has today launched its 2026 Christmas campaign, bringing the shared pride, joy and belonging of its community into an ambitious festive production starring Colin Firth.
Set in the streets of north London around Emirates Stadium, ‘Twas the Season stars Academy Award-winning actor and Arsenal supporter Colin Firth alongside Alessia Russo, Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhães.
The film draws on the elation of May, when supporters around the world came together to celebrate Arsenal winning the Premier League title after 22 years and the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup. It carries that feeling into Christmas, showing how the moments that matter most become even more powerful when they are shared.
It begins as a familiar Christmas story before revealing its distinctively Arsenal heart. Firth describes a journey shaped by anticipation and togetherness which many will initially associate with Christmas. However, as he leads viewers through Islington, the streets fill with people from across the Arsenal community and it becomes clear that he is in fact sharing the story of Arsenal’s historic 2025/26 season, which culminate in jubilant celebrations outside the club’s N5 home.
The film closes outside the club store, The Armoury, with a crowd of supporters from across generations, Arsenal staff and community figures connected to the club.
The festive film is not the first time Firth has portrayed an Arsenal supporter on screen. He played the lead role in the film adaptation of Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch, which tells the story of Arsenal’s 1988–89 championship-winning season.
Alongside the campaign, Arsenal has launched its online Christmas Shop on Arsenal Direct, bringing together a range of gifts for supporters this festive season. The collection includes the club’s special edition Champions range celebrating its historic 2025/26 season, alongside retro shirts, toys and games, and stocking fillers.
Supporters can also shop a range of festive clothing, including the Bruised Banana Christmas jumper worn by Colin Firth in the film.
Head of brand & marketing at Arsenal, Jodie Sayer, said: “Our ambition is always to create work that puts our supporters at its heart and that people want to talk about.
“After such an unforgettable year for our club, we wanted to capture the unprecedented joy and belonging our supporters felt during the celebrations in May. We set out to bring that magic into Christmas with a concept that could stand alongside the biggest festive campaigns while feeling uniquely Arsenal.
“’Twas the season brings together the people, stories and spirit that defines Arsenal, and showcases the best of our community.”
The launch begins a festive period of football, storytelling and community activity across November and December, including visits to local north London hospitals, a lunch for care leavers on Christmas Day, and ongoing matchday mental health drop-in support as part of the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide campaign. The film will appear across Arsenal’s digital and social channels, including the club’s app The Arsenal from today.
The campaign will also see Arsenal launch a special Christmas card available at The Armoury and online at Arsenal Direct, with proceeds supporting The Arsenal Foundation’s work in local and global communities. Inspired by the themes of connection and togetherness at the heart of the film, supporters will have the opportunity to share the season with family, friends and fellow supporters while contributing to the club’s community programmes.
