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Heated Rivalry season 2 is on the way, but there are hints of early bonus episodes
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Heated Rivalry season 2 is officially on the way
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An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Heated Rivalry season 2: key information- Renewed for season 2 in December 2025- Potential bonus episodes ahead of season 2 have been teased- Main cast expected to return- No trailer or release date announced yet- Will be based on Rachel Reid's The Long Game- Exciting revelation for future seasons
Heated Rivalry season 2 has officially been greenlit for season 2, which is huge news for the racy queer sports drama.
Creator Jacob Tierney's adaptation of Rachel Reid's Game Changers book series wasn't even supposed to premiere until 2026, but Canadian streamer Crave and its parent company Bell Media pushed the release date up, according to Variety, predicting it'd be a big hitter – and they were right. For Crave, it's the most-watched original series ever on the streamer.
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And for US watchers, HBO Max acquired it, too, which is a touch confusing – here's how to watch Heated Rivalry online in the US, UK, and Canada. So, with season 2 on the way, here's what we know so far about the predicted release date, cast, trailer, plot and more.
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Heated Rivalry season 2 is officially on the way, as confirmed by the show's official Instagram on December 12. But, while we don't have a release date just yet, there's plenty to talk about.
Justin Stockman, VP Content and Programming for Bell Media said of the renewal: "Heated Rivalry represents the very best of what Canadian creators can deliver: rich characters, compelling drama, and a world audiences want to live in."
But, what Stockman also told The Toronto Star is even more interesting, addressing the possibility of a bonus episode or two ahead of season 2: "We're going to see what's feasible. If Jacob Tierney can find a way to make the source material work in a way that gets us something sooner or something special, I'm sure he will.
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inboxContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."I would love to have this back for the holidays next year, but that likely is not going to happen. We can't rush the process. We won't be able to repeat the magic if we push him."
As far as filming is concerned for season 2, in an interview with Variety, the show's star Hudson Williams said: "Maybe someone has told me July or August, but I really don't know." And when his co-star Connor Storrie appeared on the TODAY show in mid-January, he hinted they'd be back filming in the summer.
With this in mind, I'd predict we'll see season 2 by early 2027. But, we'll have to wait and see.
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Heated Rivalry season 2 trailer
There's no Heated Rivalry season 2 trailer just yet, but to be able to predict when it'll drop, we're going to need a release date first.
Once we know when it's coming, it's most likely we'll see a trailer drop around a month before season 2 airs. We'll be sure to add it here when it does finally arrive.
Heated Rivalry season 2 cast
There's some official news as far as the Heated Rivalry season 2 cast is concerned. Firstly, Williams and Storrie will reprise their roles as Shane and Ilya, respectively. As reported by GQ: "Both actors signed on for three seasons of Heated Rivalry." And more on this later when we look into future seasons.
As far as other returning characters and new faces to the cast, Tierney told Variety that for season 2: "There's more a sense of getting to know that team in Ottawa that Ilya is going to play for and getting to know Hayden and Jacki more. And there's more Yuna and David."
We'd also be surprised if François Arnaud and Robbie G.K. didn't return given how Scott and Kip's storyline played out over season 1, but we don't have anything official on that for now.
Here's the predicted (and somewhat confirmed) cast list for Heated Rivalry season 2:
- Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander
- Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov
- Callan Potter as Hayden Pike
- Kamilla Kowal as Jacki Pike
- Christina Chang as Yuna Hollander
- Dylan Walsh as David Hollander
- François Arnaud as Scott Hunter
- Robbie G.K. as Kip Grady
Heated Rivalry season 2 story synopsis
Full spoilers for Heated Rivalry season 1 to follow. Plus, potential spoilers for season 2.
Season 1 saw Shane and Ilya contend with their passion for hockey, and their passion for each other. The two of which they couldn't blend together and so kept their relationship a secret from friends, family and the MHL. But, by the season 1 finale, they couldn't help but admit they loved each other, looking ahead to what their life could look like if they made it work.
And, for season 2, the show's creator, Jacob Tierney, told Deadline that it'll be based on The Long Game, which is the only other current book in Reid's series focused on Ilya and Shane's relationship.
Speaking with Variety, he spoke on what that'll look like when it comes to translating it onto our screens: "There's so many new characters that are going to be really fun to bring in. But I think that next season will end up feeling different because it's a more focused book. It takes place over a shorter amount of time."
Adding: "Hopefully what will happen, like with any good second season in general, is that we will get to enrich the stuff you already know and how those threads began, and then pull on them and really get into it. But I'm also really looking forward to seeing Ilya in therapy. It's probably a really good thing for him."
@heatedrivalrycrave ♬ original sound - Heated Rivalry
Of course, you can take a look at The Long Game to get a really good idea on what's to come, which is exactly what Williams and Storrie do in the renewal announcement video, featured above. But, don't worry, it's only a teaser.
Storrie reads from the pages: "Shane fell into his arms. The usual rush of relief flooded through him as he kissed for the first time in two weeks. I missed you, Ilya said unnecessarily," as he winks to the camera.
Picking up the sixth book in Reid's series, the pair have been hiding their relationship for ten years. And, as the book synopsis says: "It's time for them to decide what's most important – hockey or love. It's time to make a call." More hockey and more love? Sign us up.
Will there be more seasons of Heated Rivlary?
As mentioned earlier, GQ revealed that both Williams and Storrie had already signed up for three seasons of the show, so it seems pretty likely that there's more to come. Of course, like any show renewal, it always depends on how it performs, but with season 1 an overnight success, the odds are looking good.
More importantly, there's something important worth noting about Rachel Reid's Game Changers series that the show is based on. A new book is on the way. Book seven, Unrivaled, has an expected publication date of September 29 – and it's another one specifically focused on Ilya and Shane.
Without giving too much away with the official synopsis for Reid's next book, it's a really great sign that there'll be more source material to build a season 3 on. Any news we hear on an official renewal though, we'll be sure to post it here.
For more Max-focused coverage, read our guides on the best Max shows, best Max movies, True Detective season 5 and Industry season 4.
Grace DeanContributorGrace is a freelance writer for TechRadar, with past work at sites like GamesRadar, Metro and WhatToWatch. She's been writing about entertainment for over ten years, and has a special interest in sci-fi, rom-coms, and captivating dramas.
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