It’s the steamy sports romance series that has taken the world by storm – and fans can now recreate their favourite Heated Rivalry scenes in the real-life destinations featured on the show.
Heated Rivalry centres on a secret relationship between Canadian hockey player Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian player Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who find themselves entangled in the ultimate rivals-to-lovers storyline.
Available to watch on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV, the steamy six-part series launched earlier this month and has already amassed a global fanbase.
Much of the fictional series is set across Canada, with notable scenes unfolding amidst the calming lakes of Muskoka and the thriving hockey hub of Toronto.
To help fans visit the locations of their favorite moments from the show, here is the ultimate guide to explore Ontario through the lens of Heated Rivalry.
Lake Muskoka, Ontario
In the heart of Muskoka, known as the getaway for the stars, fans can live out their own off-screen version of Shane and Ilya’s summer romance.
Though ‘The Cottage’ the two men stay in on the show is actually a private residence, nearby Jayne’s Cottages offers a similarly luxurious stay.
It’s the sports romance series that has taken the world by storm – and fans can now recreate their favourite Heated Rivalry scenes in the real-life destinations featured on the show
Heated Rivalry centres on a secret relationship between Russian hockey player Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie, left) and Canadian player Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams, right)
Fans can bask in the sun-drenched beauty of Lake Muskoka and live out their own off-screen version of Shane and Ilya’s summer romance at ‘The Cottage’
Whether it’s a sleek, contemporary gem or a timeless rustic cottage, guests can find the perfect property for a secluded getaway and bask in the sun-drenched beauty of Lake Muskoka.
Across the region, visitors can enjoy its stunning lakes, forests, charming towns and granite landscapes, which offering year-round outdoor activities like boating, hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing, along with shopping, dining, breweries, and a rich heritage.
Hamilton, Ontario
Located just an hour’s drive from Toronto, Hamilton – dubbed ‘The Hammer’ for its industrial heritage – offers a vibrant mix of arts, culture, and dining that serves as the backdrop for a majority of Season One of the show.
Fans of the show can begin their day at Relay Coffee Roasters, the real-life location used for the fictional Straw+Berry smoothie shop frequented by hockey star Scott Hunter.
Heated Rivalry focuses on two professional hockey players and their clandestine romance (Pictured: a scene from the show)
In Hamilton – dubbed ‘The Hammer’ for its industrial heritage – fans can start their day at Relay Coffee Roasters, the real-life location used for the fictional Straw+Berry smoothie shop
Elsewhere in Hamilton, at Shamrock Park, fans can act out the heart-wrenching pink tunnel scene where Ilya calls Shane in ‘Russia’ and gives a gripping speech in Russian.
By taking a stroll around Dundurn Castle, travellers can find themselves in Rozanov’s ‘Russia’, as the neoclassical mansion is a stand-in for Moscow in the series, where Ilya is shown jogging past during his off-season training.
Beyond its cinematic appeal, this National Historic Site offers guided tours that provide a deep dive into the 19th-century life of its affluent former owner, Sir Allan MacNab, making it a perfect blend of modern pop culture and Canadian history.
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto is not only Ontario’s capital, but it’s also home to authentic Canadian hockey culture.
On warm summer’s day, fans can head to Lavelle, the rooftop lounge bar where Ilya and Shane share drink before the All-Star game.
The bar sits 16 stories above the city, boasting outdoor pools, luxury cabanas 360-degree views of the Toronto skyline.
But the pilgrimage isn’t complete with a spot of hockey action at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs, is the ideal location for fans to complete their Heated Rivalry pilgrimage
Inside the arena, fans can get a true feel of how their favourite characters prepared for each game
At the arena, fans can gain behind-the-scenes access while learning about the game on a VIP tour.
Off the ice, Real Sports, located conveniently near the area, is widely considered the best sports bar in town, with 199 TV screen and over 100 beer taps.
Here, fans can enjoy a drink while catching a game, just as their favourite Heated Rivalry characters would be doing in their spare time.
To recreate the intense hockey matches between Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander, just an hour’s drive away is the Sleeman Centre in Guelph, the rink used as the hockey arena throughout the series.
