The National Lottery has unveiled its 2026 Christmas advert, and viewers are already hailing it as 'magical', with some suggesting it could take the crown from John Lewis's festive offering this year.
With Halloween over and the weather turning colder, brands have been releasing their festive adverts. So far, James Norton and Amandaland's Lucy Punch have starred in an M&S clip, while Roald Dahl's BFG has reunited with Sainsbury's.
The National Lottery's clip features a determined reindeer who believes he can fly after watching a robin take off. The advert focuses on the simple idea that this festive season, 'Amazing Things Happen When You Believe'.
A Reindeer's Determination
Despite obvious adversity, the four-hoofed creature works as hard as he can, making repeated attempts to get airborne. At first, with no success, fellow members of his herd are unimpressed with his efforts, before his belief gets him soaring across a wintry landscape, thanks to a touch of festive magic.
As well as his herd watching on, a hiker, gripping a warm drink nearby, is left gobsmacked as he catches sight of the airborne deer. He grasps his National Lottery ticket, now convinced that if a reindeer can fly, anything is possible.
Viewers React to the Clip
Fans have been sharing their reactions on social media this week. "Magical," one fan wrote. "It's going to be a special Christmas," someone else wrote. A third added: "Getting alllll the Christmas feels watching this."
"Pure magic," yet another added, as someone else echoed: "Love it." Another person said: "Such a cutie - needs merch! We all need a magical reindeer - and to believe!!!" "Not me getting emotionally attached to a reindeer," another person wrote.
Campaign Message and Good Causes
Steve Parkinson, Marketing and Brand Director at Allwyn, the operator for The National Lottery, said: "With his determination and cheeky smile, the reindeer represents the belief we all have across the festive period. His drive to fly is the inspiration to remind players that amazing things can happen at Christmas."
"The National Lottery has always helped bring the magic at Christmas, and with the help of a flying reindeer, this year will be more magical than ever. Every National Lottery ticket played goes towards helping generate more than £33m for Good Causes each week, while also creating life-changing winners. This campaign celebrates those moments of possibility and reminds players that, this Christmas, it really could be you."
Ahead of Christmas, National Lottery players will also see inspiring Good Cause stories brought to life by ambassador Claudia Winkleman, as more than 20,000 projects each year make a difference to communities across the country.
Lotto is adding to the Christmas spirit with a Must Be Won jackpot on December 23rd, while EuroMillions will make ten guaranteed millionaires twice in December, with two special UK Millionaires Maker draws on the 25th and 29th.
