Heated Rivalry cinema marathon in Australia: all six episodes on 5 December – Heated Rivalry is moving from the small screen to Australian cinemas for a one-day-only Season 1 marathon on Saturday, 5 December 2026. Madman Entertainment will screen all six episodes in select cinemas in a session running nearly five hours.
The event offers Australian fans a different way to see the romance between hockey rivals Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov: together on a cinema screen, with an audience, rather than as separate episodes at home. Season 1 has been available to Australian streaming viewers through HBO Max, but this is a theatrical event, not a new season or a replacement for the streaming release.
What is included in the Heated Rivalry cinema marathon?
The marathon plays Season 1 in full. There will be an intermission between episodes three and four, breaking up the nearly five-hour programme. Madman’s public event page also advertises exclusive content from the series’ cast and directors alongside the six episodes.
It is scheduled for one day only, almost a year after the first season premiered. The format is designed for fans who want to revisit the complete story in one sitting, including the scenes at the cottage, and share the experience with other viewers.
Where can Australian fans see it?
Madman says the Heated Rivalry screenings will take place in select Australian cinemas on Saturday, 5 December, with tickets on sale now. Its event page currently provides booking sections for the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria. Cinemas and session times vary, so viewers should check the official booking page for their nearest participating venue and any changes to the list.
The announcement is for a cinema marathon of the existing first season. It does not give a premiere date for Season 2. That distinction matters because Australian viewers have already had access to the series on HBO Max, while the new announcement is specifically about the big-screen event.
The story behind Heated Rivalry
Created by writer-director Jacob Tierney from Rachel Reid’s bestselling novels, the Crave Original drama follows Shane Hollander, played by Hudson Williams, and Ilya Rozanov, played by Connor Storrie. Both are stars in Major League Hockey, but their intense professional rivalry masks a powerful attraction.
What begins as a secret fling between two rookies develops over eight years into a relationship shaped by ambition, public expectations, denial and self-discovery. The pair pursue success on the ice while trying to decide whether there is space for love in the competitive world around them.
The supporting cast includes François Arnaud as Scott Hunter, Robbie G.K. as Kip Grady, Christina Chang and Dylan Walsh as Shane’s parents Yuna and David Hollander, Sophie Nélisse as Rose Landry, and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Svetlana.
Who made the series?
Accent Aigu Entertainment produced Season 1 in association with Bell Media’s Crave, with support from the Canada Media Fund and the Bell Fund. Tierney wrote and directed the series and is also a producer and executive producer. Brendan Brady is a producer and executive producer, Lori Fischburg is a producer, and Reid is a consulting producer. Sphere Abacus handles international distribution; Madman says the series is available in more than 130 countries.
For TV Central’s earlier coverage of Heated Rivalry and its Australian HBO Max rights, read our report here. For participating cinemas, session times and tickets, visit Madman’s public event page.