Queer TV fans rejoice – Heated Rivalry is finally coming to Ireland. The steamy show premiered in late November on Crave in Canada, then in the US, and Irish people have been held in the penalty box, lagging 4 whole episodes behind so far.
Curious Irish onlookers have had to survive on a diet of sexy screenshots from the series and are no doubt building up quite a severe thirst. The horny hockey show has been announced for release in Ireland on January 10, 2026, and it will be available on Sky and NOW.
The sports-romance series covers the classic star-crossed forbidden lovers story in a completely new way. It’s so hot, they’re about to be playing water polo instead of ice hockey. It’s so hot, I think we can blame them for the icecaps melting. For those wondering why Ireland is so warm this December, maybe it’s all of the Heated Rivalry blowing in from the west.
In an interview with CTV, Hudson Williams, who plays Shane on the show, said he was “butt-obsessed” in his preparation for the role. He said, “I’ve never opened my legs more”, and that he is “too comfortable” with having his derriere on display.
Meanwhile, Connor Storie, who plays Ilya, said he focused more on biceps for the show. The pair said the shower scenes were amusing to film as their intimacy garments would fill up like a water balloon and needed to be wrung out in between takes.
The pair are also making waves with their off-screen chemistry and highlighting the beauty of physical touch in platonic friendships. “It’s taboo for men to be friends and grab each other a certain way or hold hands”, stated Storie in an interview with Variety.
There was already a substantial fandom for Rachel Reid’s Game Changers novels, on which the series is based, so it’s not surprise that Heated Rivalry has already been renewed for a second season.
The show, adapted for television by openly gay writer and director Jacob Tierney, is taking a swing at the toxic masculinity of sports and how queerness and interpersonal relationships interplay in that environment.
Sky announced the date Heated Rivarly will be available in Ireland with a teaser you can watch below.
View this post on Instagram
Watch the official trailer for Heated Rivalry in anticipation of its Ireland release here.
GCN’s wonderful Christmas Raffle is back! To be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes while also supporting GCN, buy a raffle ticket from as little as €5 at this link.
© 2025 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.
Support GCN
GCN is a free, vital resource for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community since 1988.
GCN is a trading name of National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity - Charity Number: 20034580.
GCN relies on the generous support of the community and allies to sustain the crucial work that we do. Producing GCN is costly, and, in an industry which has been hugely impacted by rising costs, we need your support to help sustain and grow this vital resource.
Supporting GCN for as little as €1.99 per month will help us continue our work as Ireland’s free, independent LGBTQ+ media.