Passion, rivalry, and sweeping emotions on the ice: the HBO Max miniseries Heated Rivalry has earned a devoted global following. Much of the six‑part series was shot in Ontario, Canada, with some exterior scenes captured in Montréal, Québec. From the Toronto skyline to historic streets in Hamilton and the tranquil Muskoka lake country, fans can now visit the original filming locations and see them in real life.
The series is based on Canadian author Rachel Reid’s Game Changers trilogy and chronicles, over more than a decade, the intense relationship between Canadian hockey star Shane Hollander and his Russian rival Ilya Rozanov (as reported by TheColu.mn).
Hamilton: A versatile backdrop for international locations
During filming, Hamilton emerged as one of the series’ most important production hubs. The city served as a flexible stand‑in for a variety of international locales, from Moscow to Montréal.
A standout setting is Liuna Station, a former Beaux-Arts railway station that doubles as the glamourous gala venue in the show. Also in Hamilton is the FirstOntario Concert Hall, where Shane and Ilya share a moment on stage as they present the Major League Hockey Awards and snap a selfie on the podium.
Fans who connected with the emotional scene between Shane and his parents can actually visit the real-life restaurant featured in the series: the Italian eatery Ciao Bella, located on Augusta Street in the heart of the city.
Meanwhile, Ilya’s jog through Moscow was filmed in Hamilton, specifically at the historic Dundurn Castle with its expansive grounds. The castle offers guided tours and hosts special events year‑round. Another popular photo spot for series fans is the so‑called Pink Tunnel, officially Ferguson Avenue Tunnel, a colorful pedestrian passageway adorned with striking graffiti art.
Other Hamilton locations include Le Tambour Tavern and the Relay Coffee Roasters café, which was briefly transformed into a New York smoothie shop called “Straw + Berry” for the production.
Toronto: A global city with a double life on screen
Canada’s largest metropolis also plays a pivotal role in the series. The sleek Joni Restaurant at the Park Hyatt Toronto serves a key scene in the episode “Rookies” that would have taken place in Las Vegas. The rooftop bar Lavelle in the trendy King West neighborhood doubles as a meeting point in Tampa Bay, where Shane and Ilya cross paths ahead of the All‑Star Games.
It’s no accident that Toronto has earned the nickname “Hollywood North” for years. Alongside cities like Hamilton, the city is one of North America’s most important film‑production hubs. International studios value its versatile architecture, modern production facilities, and proximity to dramatic natural landscapes. Time and again, streets and buildings in the region transform into film sets.
Guelph: Where hockey comes to life
Guelph, about an hour west of Toronto, is hailed as a classic Canadian hockey town. At the Sleeman Centre, the Ontario Hockey League’s Guelph Storm — a key feeder league for future NHL players — features prominently, with crucial game scenes, training sequences, and a significant moment between supporting characters Kip Grady and Scott Hunter filmed here.
Muskoka: The romantic heart of the series
The most talked‑about chapter of the first season, the finale “The Cottage,” takes viewers to one of Ontario’s most iconic landscapes: Muskoka. Filmed at the real Barlochan Cottage in Muskoka Lakes, about two hours north of Toronto, the region’s forests, craggy rocks, and countless lakes are the quintessence of Canadian cottage life.
Fans will be excited to learn that the cottage from the show can actually be booked in real life. After the series aired, the luxury lakeside retreat was offered on Airbnb and quickly booked up, leaving many dates filled for fans to reserve their own Muskoka escape.
Ontario as a film backdrop
With its picture‑perfect scenery, dynamic cities, and charming small towns, Ontario has long been one of North America’s most sought‑after filming locations. Numerous productions have shot there, including The Handmaid’s Tale, The Boys, Suits, The Umbrella Academy, Gilmore Girls, Anne of Green Gables, IT, and Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water, illustrating just how adaptable the province is on camera.
For those who want to dive deeper into the region’s filmmaking history, you can take guided tours such as the Hollywood North Experience Tour in Toronto, which highlights the city’s most famous filming sites.
Ontario as a film backdrop
