Arsenal Football Club has today launched its 2026 Christmas campaign, drawing on the shared sense of joy and pride across the Arsenal community seen during the club’s title-winning celebrations.
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.
It also sees Firth try his hand at Portuguese in a playful exchange with Brazilian International and Arsenal defender, Gabriel Magalhães.
Gabriel Magalhães said: “At Arsenal, we support each other and keep moving forward together. The support I feel from the club and our supporters means so much to me and my family. Christmas is about being together, showing thanks and remembering what matters. This film celebrates that connection, and we want to carry that with us as we look forward to everything we have ahead.”
Alessia Russo said: “This club has given me experiences that will stay with me forever. The celebrations in May – sharing that joy together – were the greatest gift our supporters have given us. That connection is part of who we are. Christmas is a time to appreciate the people you share those moments with, and to look forward to the ones still to come.”
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 stadium store, 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.
