Join us on a trip to the countryside.
As the popular hockey romance series Heated Rivalry from Crave continues to dominate various media platforms and capture our attention, certain Canadian tourism organizations are leveraging its success to attract fans to visit the places where the show was filmed.
Ottawa Tourism cleverly updated its social media profile to declare itself the “birthplace of Shane Hollander,” a reference to the fictional character’s origins in the city. Additionally, they shared a “Heated Rivalry 2026 Mood Board” featuring images of Muskoka chairs and a loon, humorously referred to by one character as a “stupid Canadian wolf bird.”
In a similar vein, Tourism Hamilton showcased several iconic filming locations from the series on Instagram, inviting fans to explore these sites that have witnessed significant moments from the show. Notably, the pink tunnel, where a heartfelt scene in Russian unfolds between characters Ilya (played by Connor Storrie) and Shane (Hudson Williams), was highlighted.
For those who still have the cottage on their minds, Discover Muskoka is extending an invitation to physically experience the setting. While Shane’s picturesque lakeside cottage is depicted to be in Quebec, it is actually filmed at Barlochan Cottage in the Muskoka Lakes area of Ontario, approximately 140 kilometers north of Toronto and designed by Toronto-based architect Trevor McIvor.
Discover Muskoka’s website suggests, “While you may not be able to reserve that specific cottage yet, Muskoka offers nearly a thousand exceptional accommodations ranging from cozy cabins to luxurious lakefront retreats.”
Muskoka Tourism has strategically placed billboards inspired by Heated Rivalry in prominent locations across Toronto, such as the Gardiner Expressway, Bloor Street, and the underground PATH system, aiming to capture the attention of passersby, as per a spokesperson’s statement to CBC News.
Meanwhile, Destination Ontario is prompting fans to revisit their favorite scenes by exploring various filming locations spread across the province. The tourism entity recently shared a list of six key spots featured in the series.
Most of the highlighted locations are situated in Hamilton, including the FirstOntario Concert Hall, serving as the backdrop for the fictional Major League Hockey Awards; Dundurn Castle, doubling as Moscow; and the eateries Ciao Bella and Le Tambour Tavern.
Destination Ontario also includes Joni Restaurant in Toronto, depicted as a Las Vegas setting in the show, and emphasizes the entire Muskoka region as an essential destination.
Canadian Essence Adds to Appeal
Describing Heated Rivalry as merely popular would be an understatement. The series, portraying the intense rivalry and secret relationship between two hockey players, has garnered a massive following.
Notably, it is Crave’s most-watched original series to date and has already secured a renewal for a second season. Content related to the show on TikTok and Instagram consistently attracts millions of views. Several celebrities