Sussing out Tampa Bay's "Heated Rivalry" cameo
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A scene from "Heated Rivalry" set (but not shot) in Tampa Bay. Photo: Sabrina Lantos/HBO Max
If you're even remotely online, you've probably heard of "Heated Rivalry," the steamy TV show about a blossoming romance between two male hockey players.
Why it matters: The series is shaping up to be a cultural touchpoint of 2026, and featured in the fan-favorite Episode 5 (IYKYK) is our own humble Tampa Bay.
Zoom in: In the episode opener, a fictional podcast voiceover sets the stage for the upcoming All-Star game in Tampa Bay, during which rivals-turned-lovers Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov will play on the same team.
- About 11ish minutes in, a quick drone shot pans over Clearwater Beach before cutting to Rozanov sitting alone at a bar wearing the quintessential Florida apparel: a Hawaiian shirt.
- The episode follows the players chatting over Coronas at the bar (decorated with a bowl of citrus), flirting poolside and playing hockey (boring) with explosive chemistry (thrilling).
- Then comes the most Gulf Coast scene of all: The players catch a sunset on the beach, sliding their hands over the sand until their thumbs just barely touch. A hotel room rendezvous (complete with tropical foliage bedding) ensues.
Authenticity verdict: Aside from the obvious traffic nightmare involved with getting from Benchmark International Arena to the beaches, it feels true enough to Tampa Bay.
Yes, but: The series, produced by Canadian streaming platform Crave, was shot in the greater Toronto area, plus a few more locations in Ontario, producers confirmed to Axios.
Between the lines: Do a little sleuthing, and it becomes pretty obvious.
- Behind-the-scenes photos of the pool scene show a city skyline that is definitely not Tampa, Clearwater or St. Petersburg.
- Watch the sunset scene a zillion times, and you'll notice the sun barely moves, if at all. Unconfirmed social media posts say it wasn't a sunset at all but a giant screen.
💠Kathryn's thought bubble: OK, so the Tampa Bay setting was as fictional as the novels the show is based on, but consider this:
- The show's leads, rising-star heartthrobs Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, know we exist. *swoon*
- And guys, if you ever want to see a Gulf sunset for real, I know a local who'd be happy to show you around. (It's me. I'm the local.)