Why Heated Rivalry Season 2 Won't Premiere In 2026

Unfortunately, Heated Rivalry season 2 won't be out this year. Heated Rivalry's titular tension-turned-secret-romance unfolds in the most intense and passionately messy way. With the backdrop of professional sports, Heated Rivalry creates a slow-burn narrative that keeps audiences yearning for more.

Looking ahead, Heated Rivalry is clearly designed to be more than a one-season success. Rachel Reid’s book series spans six novels, offering ample source material to expand the story across multiple seasons. But while Heated Rivalry was renewed for a second season on December 12, fans will have to be patient for at least a whole year.

Heated Rivalry Season 2 Won't Arrive In 2026

Heated Rivalry Season 1 Came Out Much Sooner Than Initially Planned

Despite its breakout success, Heated Rivalry Season 2 is almost certainly not arriving in 2026, largely because season 1 was never even meant to debut in late 2025. In an interview with Variety, Heated Rivalry series creator Jacob Tierney confirmed that production is far behind a typical annual schedule, noting that while he had already written five episodes at this point last year, he has written none for season 2 so far.

"It can’t be same time next year, because this time last year I’d written five of these, and this time this year I’ve written zero of them [...] So it’s going to be a little bit later, but it’s still going to be soon."

Given that Tierney writes and directs every episode, his comments rule out a rapid turnaround. Just as importantly, Season 1’s release schedule was aggressively accelerated. Heated Rivalry was planned to premiere in early 2026, but the network repeatedly pushed the date forward after recognizing its quality and holiday-viewing potential. The final result was a frantic post-production sprint, with the season 1 finale delivered only days before airing. That rush left the creative team exhausted, making a similarly compressed timeline for Heated Rivalry season 2 unrealistic.

Heated Rivalry May Be Here To Stay

Heated Rivalry's Reception Is A Good Sign, Despite Season 2's Long Wait

Heated Rivalry has become a phenomenon due to its unapologetic understanding of its theme. It embraces its roots in Rachel Reid’s novels and fully leans into LGBTQ+ storytelling. Heated Rivalry's confident celebration of LGBTQ+ romance has paid off, and it suggests more seasons and similar titles can be received just as well in the near future.

And it's not just its authenticity. Heated Rivalry is succeeding because it is, quite simply, a high-quality television production. The writing is tight, the direction has a clear and consistent vision, and the performances sell both the characters' intensity. Just as importantly, there are very few shows occupying this space. While mainstream cinema has flirted with erotic romance through projects like Fifty Shades of Grey, LGBTQ+ romance shows haven't reached the same heights. Heated Rivalry may be signaling the emergence of an entirely new, commercially viable genre.