Heated Rivalry, the Canadian hockey romance series that became a global streaming phenomenon, has just had its second season officially confirmed for this year of 2026. The story stars rival players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), whose secret relationship captivated the audience. The announcement came in December 2025 from the Crave and HBO Max platforms, thanks to the resounding success of the first season, which entered HBO Max’s top 5 original premieres. The series, based on the books by Rachel Reid, resonated with the public by blending sports drama and intense romance, dominating conversations even on major television programs.
Scheduled to arrive on platforms still in 2026, the new season promises to deepen the relationship between Shane and Ilya after the love confession at the end of the first part. The production will be based on the sixth book in the saga, The Long Game, exploring the challenges of maintaining a romance after years of secrecy. This way, fans can expect new obstacles, familiar characters from the literary universe, and much more drama on the ice, as the couple decides between a hockey career and love.
What to Expect from the Plot and the Expanded Universe
While the main plot details are still kept under wraps, creator Jacob Tierney hinted that the second season should expand the series’ universe. Besides focusing on the central dilemma of the main couple, which involves choosing between public life in sports and their relationship, we will see more of the popular Scott and Kip, the couple that emerged in the first season. Additionally, there is the possibility of introducing new side stories, like that of Troy Barrett from the book Role Model, which intersects with the events of The Long Game. Therefore, fans of the literary franchise have much to look forward to, with the series potentially becoming a rich web of interconnected narratives.
Cast, Production, and When to Watch
Stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are confirmed to return, as are other original cast members. Production, however, is still in the early stages of development, but Jacob Tierney assured that the wait will not be long. Although he had not started writing the scripts in December of last year, he promised that the gap between seasons will be less than 18 months, which places the premiere as a strong bet for late 2026 or early 2027. The first season, with its six episodes, remains available on HBO Max for those who want to binge-watch or revisit the story, serving as the perfect passport for this emotional journey in the world of hockey.
