How to Watch Heated Rivalry in the US to See the Steamy Sports Romance That’s Breaking the Internet
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Hockey rivals who hate each other on ice but can’t stay away from each other off it? That’s the premise of Heated Rivalry, the new series everyone’s been talking about on TikTok. Based on Rachel Reid’s wildly popular romance novel , this six-episode drama brings a love story to the rink that the sport has never really seen before—at least not out in the open.
How to Watch Heated Rivalry in the US at a Glance
- Channels: HBO Max, Crave, Sky NZ, and Movistar Plus
- Premiere Date: November 28, 2025
- Episodes: Six one-hour episodes, airing weekly through December 26, 2025
- VPN Options: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PureVPN
The show follows Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two hockey players who should be focused solely on destroying each other’s careers. Shane’s the golden boy Canadian playing for Montreal, while Ilya’s the intense Russian star in Boston. But somewhere between the trash talk and the playoff battles, things get complicated. Their secret hookup turns into something that lasts nearly a decade, which is a long time to keep feelings hidden when you’re both in the spotlight.
If you’ve been living on BookTok or romance Twitter, you probably already know this series is a big deal. Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels have a devoted fanbase, and Heated Rivalry is the book everyone wanted adapted. Creator Jacob Tierney, who made Letterkenny and Shoresy, isn’t holding back either. The series is promised to have about three sex scenes per episode and fully commits to the steaminess readers loved.
The series premieres November 28, 2025, with two episodes dropping at once, then one new episode every Friday through the end of December. Keep on reading below to find out how US viewers can stream the Canadian series, whether you want the easy route or don’t mind getting creative with a VPN.
How can you watch Heated Rivalry in the US?
The most straightforward option for US viewers is HBO Max, which acquired the series for American audiences. HBO Max will carry the six-episode series for viewers in the United States and Australia, with the premiere scheduled for November 28, 2025. The first two episodes will drop on the premiere date, followed by one new episode every Friday until the finale on December 26, 2025. As of November 2025, HBO is running a Black Friday deal for $2.99 per month for 12 months for its Basic with Ads plan. Normally, the plan starts at $10.99 per month, followed by a Standard plan at $18.49 per month, and Premium at $22.99 per month.
For viewers interested in accessing international streaming platforms, a VPN service can unlock additional options. The most reliable VPNs for accessing international content are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PureVPN, each offering a 30-day money-back guarantee. After getting a VPN, viewers in the US can change their VPN location to stream Heated Rivalry on Crave in Canada, Sky NZ in New Zealand, and Movistar Plus in Spain. While Crave requires a Canadian credit card for subscriptions, Sky NZ and Movistar Plus offer more accessible payment options for international viewers. Sky obtained the rights to Heated Rivalry in New Zealand, with the series launching there on November 30, 2025, while Movistar Plus acquired Heated Rivalry in Spain. Both services require paid subscriptions but don’t require region-specific payment methods, making them easier alternatives for US viewers using VPNs. Keep on reading below for the best VPNs to watch Heated Rivalry in the US.
What is Heated Rivalry about?
Heated Rivalry centers on Shane Hollander, a Canadian-born player for the fictitious Montreal Metros, and Ilya Rozanov, a Russian-born player for the fictitious Boston Raiders. “Shane and Ilya are two of the biggest stars in major league hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands,” according to the show’s official synopsis. What begins as a secret fling between two rookies evolves into an eight-year journey of self-discovery, as they struggle to balance the sport they love with a relationship they must keep hidden. Torn between the sport they live for and the love they can’t ignore, Shane and Ilya must decide if there is room in their fiercely competitive world for something as fragile and as powerful as real love.
What is Heated Rivalry based on?
Heated Rivalry is based on the novel of the same name by Rachel Reid, part of her six-book Game Changers series published by Harlequin. The series has earned critical recognition from publications, with consistent top rankings in Amazon’s Gay Romance category. The books have developed a devoted following on BookTok and among romance readers worldwide.
Who created Heated Rivalry?
The series was created by Jacob Tierney, the writer and director behind Letterkenny and Shoresy, who adapted Reid’s novel for television. “I wanted to bring Heated Rivalry to life and share its shameless, funny, epic, sexy, and deeply romantic journey with the world,” Tierney said in a statement. “When I first spoke to Rachel Reid, I told her I wanted to approach this book with the care and seriousness it deserves, because it truly does. Shane and Ilya deserve that. And so does the queer community, a love story complete with the kind of happy ending gay people almost never get in media.” Tierney serves as creator, writer, director, and executive producer, with Brendan Brady as producer and executive producer. Rachel Reid serves as consulting producer, ensuring the adaptation stays true to the spirit of her beloved novel.
Who stars in Heated Rivalry?
Hudson Williams stars as Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie stars as Ilya Rozanov. The ensemble cast also includes François Arnaud as Scott Hunter, Robbie G.K. as Kip Grady, Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh as Yuna and David Hollander (Shane’s parents), Sophie Nélisse as Rose Landry, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Svetlana.
