Regal will screen all six episodes of Heated Rivalry Season 1 in more than 650 theaters nationwide from Nov. 6 to 30, Bleeding Cool reports, giving fans a theatrical rewatch nearly a year after the Crave Original series premiered and before Season 2 arrives in 2027. Tickets cost $9.99 per pairing of episodes.
Fans have not been asked to commit to a marathon. The episodes play in three paired screenings: Episodes 1 and 2 ("Rookies" and "Olympians"), Episodes 3 and 4 ("Hunter" and "Rose"), and Episodes 5 and 6 ("I'll Believe in Anything" and "The Cottage").
Regal is working with Sphere Abacus, a Bell Media company, on the release. Regal's own press release says the event covers more than 275 Regal locations, and that Regal is distributing the series to AMC, Cinemark and other participating exhibitors alongside its own theaters. That is how the 275 and 650 counts fit together: one is Regal's locations, the other is the full nationwide run.
The release adds that Regal screenings will include welcome content from the series' cast and directors. Participating locations will offer two limited-time themed cocktails: Summer in Montreal and Russians Don't Blush.
The pitch is built for fans who already know every beat. "When a series connects with audiences the way 'Rivalry' has, we look for ways to bring it to the big screen and give fans a reason to experience it together," said Brooks LeBoeuf, senior vice president of U.S. content at Regal. "It's a chance to celebrate the story, its creators and its performances before Season 2 arrives in 2027."
Created by Jacob Tierney and based on Rachel Reid's bestselling novels, the series follows rival hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie). It topped the Canadian Screen Awards in May, winning 16 awards, including Best Drama Series, Best Directing and Best Lead Performer for Williams, per Regal's press release. The series also picked up a Peabody Award, a Television Academy Honours Award and a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding New Television Series.
Hana Palmer, executive director of global distribution and partnerships at Sphere Abacus, said the show is "a global phenomenon creating a rush of social media and press activity wherever it lands." Screenings are also planned in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand, she said.
Season 2 is a different kind of wait. Tierney told The Hollywood Reporter, as relayed by Bleeding Cool, that the show "is not built on secrets. It's built on feelings and sensation." He added that the second season will focus on one book in the series, The Long Game, while also pulling storylines from another, Role Model.
"I'm gonna try to make the best show I can make — that's really all I can do," Tierney said. Season 2 arrives in 2027.
Advance tickets are on sale now at theater box offices and kiosks, on the Regal mobile app and through REGmovies.com.