The breakout hockey romance series Heated Rivalry is heading to movie theaters for a limited engagement from November 6 through November 30, 2026. Led by distributor Regal in partnership with Sphere Abacus, a Bell Media Company, the theatrical event will bring all six episodes of the Crave and HBO Max original drama's first season to the big screen across three separately ticketed, two-episode screenings. The run celebrates the one-year anniversary of the show's debut ahead of its second season premiere in spring 2027.

Advance tickets are on sale now for $9.99 per paired screening through theatre box offices, kiosks, the Regal mobile app, and REGmovies.com. While Regal is spearheading the theatrical release across more than 275 of its own locations, the broader rollout includes AMC, Cinemark, and other participating theater chains, with in-theater marketing support provided by PaperAirplane.

"When a series connects with audiences the way 'Heated Rivalry' has, we look for ways to bring it to the big screen and give fans a reason to experience it together," Brooks LeBoeuf, Senior Vice President of U.S. Content at Regal, said in a statement released via PR Newswire. "Nearly a year after its premiere, we're proud to work with our partners to turn a season fans have watched again and again into a true theatrical event. It's a chance to celebrate the story, its creators, and its performances before Season 2 arrives in 2027."

How the Screening Schedule and Pricing Work

Rather than playing as a single six-hour block, the first season is divided into three chronological, back-to-back episode pairings. Moviegoers can purchase individual tickets for each two-episode session:

  • Session 1: Episodes 1 and 2 ("Rookies" and "Olympians")
  • Session 2: Episodes 3 and 4 ("Hunter" and "Rose")
  • Session 3: Episodes 5 and 6 ("I'll Believe in Anything" and "The Cottage")

According to Variety, each two-episode pairing is priced at $9.99. Because tickets are sold per screening rather than as an all-access series pass, fans who wish to watch all three sessions in theaters will pay $29.97 total before any applicable taxes or booking fees.

Reports differ slightly regarding the geographic breakdown of the total theater count. According to the official announcement on PR Newswire and reporting by ABC News, the event will screen in more than 650 theaters nationwide across the United States, anchored by over 275 Regal locations. However, the Los Angeles Times reports that the 650-plus theater figure spans multiple countries—including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand—consisting of more than 275 Regal cinemas alongside 375 other locations such as AMC and Cinemark. Screenings in Australia and New Zealand are slated to begin on December 5, 2026.

"'Heated Rivalry' is a global phenomenon creating a rush of social media and press activity wherever it lands," said Hana Palmer, Executive Director of Global Distribution and Partnerships at Sphere Abacus. "We're very excited to give audiences the opportunity to watch the drama unfold on big screens in North America, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand."

Exclusive In-Theater Content and Themed Concessions

To differentiate the cinema experience from home streaming, Regal screenings will feature exclusive filmed welcome messages from the series' cast and creator-writer-director Jacob Tierney. Participating theater locations will also sell two limited-time themed cocktails inspired by key locations and dialogue from the show: "Summer in Montreal" and "Russians Don't Blush."

As noted by the Los Angeles Times, the drinks nod directly to the central characters' backgrounds. Canadian hockey star Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) plays for the fictional Montreal Metros and hosts his rival at a summer cottage in Lanaudière, Québec, two hours outside of Ottawa. Meanwhile, Russian player Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) skates for the fictional Boston Raiders; the second cocktail references a locker room scene where a teammate catches Ilya secretly texting Shane and accuses him of blushing, prompting Ilya to snap back, "Never in life have I blushed. Russians do not do this."

From Bestselling Novels to Awards Sweep and Season 2

Produced by Accent Aigu Entertainment and adapted from Rachel Reid's bestselling Game Changers novel series, Heated Rivalry premiered on HBO Max in November 2025. The story tracks the secret, years-long romantic entanglement between ambitious professional hockey rivals Shane and Ilya. Alongside Williams and Storrie, the first season ensemble features François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang, Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova, Sophie Nélisse, and Dylan Walsh.

Speaking with Rolling Stone last December, Tierney explained what initially drew him to adapt Reid's audiobooks. "My first discovery was like, 'Oh, my God, these books are so smutty,'" Tierney said. "I'd be walking my dog and [thinking], 'If you knew what was happening in my ears right now.' But what stood out to me in retrospect is that [Heated Rivalry] accomplishes a different task than these books usually do. This is not about somebody coming out, it's about two people figuring out they are allowed to be in love. And that zig where the other books zag really stuck with me."

The critical and cultural reception quickly matched its streaming viewership. In May 2026, the drama dominated the Canadian Screen Awards with 16 wins, claiming Best Drama Series, Best Directing, and Best Lead Performer for Williams. The first season also secured a Peabody Award, a Television Academy Honours Award, a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding New Television Series, and wins at the Webbies and the Queerties.

Production on Season 2 began in Canada in August 2026 ahead of a planned spring 2027 debut on Crave and HBO Max. According to Deadline, the upcoming season adapts Reid's sequel novel The Long Game and adds an expansive list of new cast members, including Justice Smith, Charlie Gillespie, Daniel Diemer, Shaheen Jafargholi, Emily Hampshire, Edvin Ryding, Robert Naylor, Sabrina Jalees, Priyanka, Brendan Morgan, David Tomlinson, Gerry Dee, Michelle Mylett, Lauren Chan, and Nick Stahl.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I find which local theaters are screening the episodes?

Because the November 6–30 run is a limited theatrical event rather than a daily wide release, exact showtimes and participating locations vary by market. Moviegoers should check REGmovies.com, the Regal mobile app, or local AMC and Cinemark listings to confirm which specific episode pairs are playing near them.

Does the $9.99 ticket price cover the entire first season?

No. The $9.99 price applies to a single two-episode screening. Watching all six episodes across the three separate sessions costs $29.97 before applicable taxes and online booking fees.

Are the filmed cast greetings and themed cocktails available at every theater?

The filmed introductions from the cast and creator Jacob Tierney are slated for Regal screenings, and the themed cocktails ("Summer in Montreal" and "Russians Don't Blush") will only be sold at participating locations with bar service. Viewers attending non-Regal cinemas or specific regional locations should check their local theater's amenities in advance.

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