Isabella Thornton
Here’s everything you need to know about Heated Rivalry Season 1 (2025) — from its official premiere date and streaming home to the complete episode lineup and full cast list. You’ll also find a simple guide on how to watch the series in New Zealand, so you never miss a moment of the story. If you have questions, feel free to drop them in the comments, and I’ll help you get streaming without any trouble.
How can I watch Heated Rivalry Season 1 in New Zealand on HBO Max?
Here’s the answer with 5 easy steps:
- Subscribe to NordVPN
- Install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a US or Australia-based server.
- Open the HBO Max website or launch its app, then log in.
- Finally, you can watch Heated Rivalry in New Zealand restriction-free!
PS: Crave users can also apply the same method by connecting to a server in Canada.
Heated Rivalry (2025) Plot
Heated Rivalry follows Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, two hockey prodigies whose fierce rivalry sparks something far more complicated beneath the surface. As rookies, their connection begins subtly, growing stronger as they navigate the pressures of fame and a sport that demands perfection. Their bond becomes a secret they protect fiercely, even when the world pushes them in opposite directions. Over the years, they face the weight of expectation, the unpredictability of professional success, and the consequences of falling for someone they were supposed to defeat. Their emotional journey challenges them both to choose between ambition and vulnerability. With careers on the line and personal lives unfolding behind locker room doors, each moment pushes them closer to a truth they can no longer ignore. The series captures the powerful intersection of rivalry, romance, and self-discovery.
When does Heated Rivalry premiere?
Heated Rivalry aired on November 28, 2025 with a special two-episode release on Sky and NEON in New Zealand.
Cast
- Hudson Williams – Shane Hollander
- Connor Storrie – Ilya Rozanov
- François Arnaud – Scott Hunter
- Sophie Nélisse – Rose Landry
- Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova – Svetlana Vetrova
- Christina Chang – Yuna Hollander
- Dylan Walsh – David Hollander
- Callan Potter – Hayden Pike
- Slavic Rogozine – Alexei Rozanov
- Robbie G.K. – Kip Grady
- Yaroslav Poverlo – Grigori Rozanov
- Kaden Connors – Sasha
- Harrison Browne – Connors
- Aidan Shaw – Kolya
How many episodes does Heated Rivalry Season 1 have?
Heated Rivalry Season 1 includes six episodes.
Episode Guide:
- Heated Rivalry Episode 1 – Rookies
Premiere date: November 28, 2025
Hockey superstars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov toe the thin ice between fierce competition and an attraction neither expected, as rivalry on the ice begins to blur into something deeply personal. - Heated Rivalry Episode 2 – Olympians
Premiere date: November 28, 2025
With Olympic pressure mounting, Shane and Ilya struggle to keep their relationship hidden while balancing ambition, public expectations, and rising emotional stakes. - Heated Rivalry Episode 3 – Hunter
Premiere date: December 5, 2025
A pivotal encounter forces love and career onto a collision course, pushing one player to risk everything he has built. - Heated Rivalry Episode 4 – Rose
Premiere date: December 12, 2025
A moment of vulnerability and a high-profile romance ignite turmoil, placing Shane and Ilya under intense scrutiny that threatens their bond. - Heated Rivalry Episode 5 – I’ll Believe in Anything
Premiere date: December 19, 2025
As pressure closes in, Shane, Ilya, and Scott face defining personal decisions that will shape their futures on and off the ice. - Heated Rivalry Episode 6 – The Cottage
Premiere date: December 26, 2025
Where to watch Heated Rivalry (2025) in New Zealand
You can watch Heated Rivalry in New Zealand on Sky and NEON, the official streaming platforms for the series. NEON allows you to stream the show on smartphones and tablets through its dedicated iOS and Android apps, making it easy to watch on the go. For viewers who prefer a larger screen, you can also stream Heated Rivalry directly through the NEON website using popular browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.
Does Heated Rivalry carry any age or content rating?
Yes. According to distribution listings, Season 1 carries a TV-MA rating, indicating mature themes.
Why is Heated Rivalry gaining so much attention before its release?
The show is getting buzz for several reasons: realistic queer representation, the mix of romance and high-intensity sports, strong chemistry between leads, and the promise of a raw, emotional story that stays honest to the book. Many call it a fresh take on queer romance in a world where sports and love collide.
On what devices can I watch NEON?
| Device Category | Supported Devices |
|---|---|
| Smart TVs | Samsung Smart TVs (2017+), LG WebOS TVs (2018+), Panasonic TVs (2017+), Sony Android TVs (2016+), TCL models (2018+), JVC & Veon (2019+), select Hisense models |
| Streaming Devices | Google Chromecast, Chromecast with Google TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, HDMI-connected streaming boxes |
| Game Consoles | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 |
| Computers | Windows laptops/desktops, macOS computers using Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge |
| Mobile Devices | iPhones and iPads (iOS), Android phones and tablets (Android 8.0 or later) |
First Three Episodes Recap:
Episode 1 (Rookies): Canadian rookie star Shane Hollander bumps into Russian counterpart Ilya Rozanov during an international prospect tournament, setting up their on-ice rivalry. After being drafted to rival teams, tensions quietly shift when Ilya offers Shane his water bottle in a late-night gym session — the chemistry is palpable, even if neither fully admits it.
Episode 2 (Olympians): The timeline accelerates as Shane and Ilya keep in touch while playing in different countries and leagues. Ilya’s family pressures mount in Russia while Shane wrestles with his growing feelings. Their sexting escalates, and a pivotal moment arrives when Ilya challenges Shane: win the next game and they’ll sleep together — their secret world colliding with the public rivalry.
Episode 3 (Hunter): The focus shifts to Scott Hunter, a fellow hockey star navigating his own hidden romance with smooth-barista-turned-grad-student Kip Grady. While Shane and Ilya remain in the background, Scott’s relationship forces questions about secrecy, identity and risk — particularly as he grapples with staying closeted in a hyper-masculine sport.
Episode 4 Recap:
Episode 4, titled “Rose,” the focus returns squarely to the complicated emotional and romantic dynamic between rival hockey stars Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov as their secret relationship shifts into more vulnerable territory. After spending an intimate day together at Ilya’s Boston home — complete with a post-sex nap, homemade tuna melts, and the first time they call each other by their given names — Shane’s anxieties about their connection overwhelm him, leading him to abruptly leave when Ilya tries to deepen their bond. In the aftermath, Shane meets movie star Rose Landry and embarks on a high-profile relationship that quickly captures tabloids and fuels Ilya’s jealousy; a club scene later in the episode finds both men with other partners yet intensely watching one another, underscoring unresolved feelings as they struggle with desire, identity, and fear of commitment.
Heated Rivalry Trailer
The trailer for Heated Rivalry has been released.
FAQs
- Is Heated Rivalry based on a book?
Yes. Heated Rivalry adapts the novel of the same name, part of the Game Changers book series by Rachel Reid. - Does the show portray a realistic queer romance?
Yes. The series is praised for its honest and faithful portrayal of a queer relationship, with deep emotional arcs beyond clichés, committed to representation, self-discovery, and authenticity. - Will new episodes drop weekly or all at once?
After the two-episode premiere on November 28, remaining episodes release weekly — one per week — until the finale. - What genre is Heated Rivalry?
Heated Rivalry blends sports and romance. It’s a dramatic, emotionally intense story set in the high-stakes world of professional hockey.
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