‘Heated Rivalry’: When and where to watch the acclaimed viral queer hockey romance on OTT in India

The viral hockey romance series ‘Heated Rivalry’ is all set to premiere in India on February 20, 2026. This six-episode first season has built massive anticipation among fans after its initial release in Canada and internationally.‘Heated Rivalry’ is a Canadian sports romance drama created, written, and directed by Jacob Tierney. It adapts the 2019 novel by Rachel Reid from her Game Changers series. The story spans a decade, tracking the secret romantic relationship between two rival professional hockey players, Shane Hollander of the Montreal team and Ilya Rozanov of the Boston team. Their on-ice rivalry masks a deep off-ice bond filled with passion, challenges, and hurdles.

Lead cast and characters

Hudson Williams stars as Shane Hollander, the disciplined Montreal player. Connor Storrie portrays Ilya Rozanov, the charismatic Boston rival. Their palpable chemistry during auditions sealed the roles, as noted by the production team.The supporting cast adds depth. François Arnaud plays Scott Hunter. Franco Lo Presti is Cliff Marleau. Callan Potter portrays Hayden Pike. Other actors include Nadine Bhabha as Elena, Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Svetlana, Dylan Walsh as David Hollander, Sophie Nélisse as Rose Landry, and Vitali Makarov as the Russian Minister.

Release timeline

Season one launched with two episodes on November 28, 2025, followed by weekly drops until December 26, 2025, on Crave and HBO Max. It has earned critical acclaim for its narrative and performances.More about ‘Heated Rivalry’‘Heated Rivalry’ captures forbidden love in the high-stakes world of professional hockey. Fans praise its emotional depth, from hookups to long-term commitment amid career pressures, and how sportingly the cast handles it all!Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie deliver standout turns as the leads. The series has sparked online buzz as a fresh queer romance. Its initial release was on Crave in Canada and on HBO Max. Indian viewers can enjoy this upcoming series on Lionsgate Play soon.