As 2026 ploughs on, cuffing and sofa snuggle season continues, don’t miss out on Heated Rivalry, a six-episode TV adaptation of Rachel Reid’s extremely popular Game Changers book series.

It follows the story of hockey players Shane and Ilya as they navigate the competitive, seductive world of sport, as well as their feelings for each other. Inject it into our veins.

The series – known on many of our social media feeds as “the gay hockey show” – has also stormed the Internet as fans freak out over the seriously sexy queer sex scenes.

Despite the fact that the relationship takes place between two gay men, women are also FLOCKING to this series because it ticks so many boxes for anyone who craves romance and sex on screen. The sexual tension that comes with competitive sports? Check. Hot young men lusting? Check. An impossibly complicated once-in-a-lifetime love affair? Check. Women are hot for Heated Rivalry, it seems.

With season two of Heated Rivalry confirmed, there’s no better time to catch up on the show. Here’s how we mere mortals in the UK can watch Heated Rivalry, after its viral success in the US.

HBO

What is Heated Rivalry about?

A synopsis for the series reads as follows: “Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov are hockey stars drawn together by rivalry and desire. What starts as a secret fling becomes a years-long journey of love, denial and growth as they chase glory on the ice and wrestle with feelings off it.”

It explores queer identity, choosing between love and ambition, juggling people’s expectations of you, and so much more. Basically, you have no excuse not to go watch Heated Rivalry immediately.

When did Heated Rivalry come out in the UK?

All episodes were released in the UK on the 10th of January, and fans rushed to binge this sexy, sexy show.

Sabrina Lantos/HBO

Where can I watch Heated Rivalry?

You can watch Heated Rivalry on Sky, as well as stream it on Now, making it easy to catch all the drama and swoon-worthy moments at home or on the go.

Who’s in the cast of Heated Rivalry?

The Heated Rivalry cast consists of Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang, Dylan Walsh, Sophie Nélisse and Ksenia Kharlamova.

The leading stars, Williams and Storrie, have been kept busy since the show went viral, as they presented an award together at the Golden Globes and narrated an erotic story for Quinn. Williams has shared how the role completely transformed his life, and how a year prior he was working as a waiter and struggling to make ends meet.

The show also inspired a hockey player to come out — we’re not crying, you are!