Heated Rivalry Season 1 Ending Explained: Who found out about Shane and Ilya's secret romance and did Scott and Kip stay together?
Heated Rivalry Season 1 ended with Shane and Ilya's secret romance being exposed while the couple was enjoying their quality time at Shane's cottage.
Last Updated: 12.52 PM, Feb 22, 2026
Heated Rivalry Season 1 is a queer sports drama adapted from Rachel Reid’s novel. The series follows rival professional hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) as their intense on-ice competition masks a years-long secret romance. Towards the end of Season 1, Shane and Ilya's secret romance was exposed. The focus shifts from intense sports drama to a quiet, intimate focus on Shane Hollander and Ilya Rosenov confronting their fears and choosing love. Here's what happened when their romance was found out.
How was Shane and Ilya's secret romance exposed?
Heated Rivalry Season 1 ends witha cliffhanger, building anticipation for already confirmed Season 2. Season 1 has 6 episodes, and naturally, the secret romance was exposed in the last episode. Episode 6, The Cottage, of Heated Rivalry centres on Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov’s quiet, intimate getaway. After Scott Hunter claimed the league MVP, Ilya sneaks into Shane’s car at the Ottawa airport, and the two drive to Shane’s beautiful cottage, planning to spend quality time together, away from the noise of the city.
They make love together and share playful moments. Later, Ilya becomes emotional as he opens up about losing his mother to suicide at twelve and his hopes of moving to a Canadian team for citizenship. Shane suggests a plan where Ilya can relocate to Ottawa, and they can quietly start a charity together and that way they can have a way to publicly acknowledge their romance. Shane and Ilya continue to spend time together just like any other couple. They make food together, share playful moments while swimming, but everything falls apart when Shane’s father arrives unexpectedly and sees them together.
Shane starts to panic, but Ilya encourages that they should visit his parents’ home and discuss everything. Upon visiting Shane's house, they reveal to Shane's parents that they are in love. Although shocked at first, his parents confirm that they always suspected, which slightly eases their situation. The episode ends tenderly as Shane and Ilya drive home holding hands, embracing and fully accepting. However, even though Shane's parents accepted, it does not fully confirm how the rest of the world will accept their romance, and it is expected that it will be explored in Season 2.
Did Scott and Kip end up being together?
Scott (François Arnaud) and Kip's (Robbie Graham-Kuntz) romance story is as important as Shane and Ilya's. In Heated Rivalry, Scott Hunter and Kip Grady’s romance reaches a dramatic turning point with a public, high-stakes coming-out moment.
The two come back together following a difficult period, during which Kip had ended the relationship due to the challenges of Scott being closeted. Motivated by a desire to live openly, Scott publicly comes out by bringing Kip onto the ice following his championship victory, marking a high point in their relationship. Scott and Kip sealed the deal with a kiss, witnessed by everyone. Scott and Kip's love story is expected to be explored more in Season 2.
Heated Rivalry Season 1 FAQs
Q: How does Shane and Ilya’s romance get revealed in Season 1 of Heated Rivalry?
A: Their secret relationship is exposed in Episode 6, “The Cottage”, when Shane’s father unexpectedly arrives at the cottage. This leads Shane to approach his parents, who ultimately accept the couple, setting up the storyline for Heated Rivalry Season 2.
Q: What challenges did Scott and Kip face before their public coming-out moment?
A: Scott and Kip were separated for a time because Kip struggled with the pressures of Scott being closeted. Ultimately, they reunite, and Scott comes out publicly, inviting Kip to the ice after his championship win, marking a pivotal moment in their relationship. They sealed the deal with a kiss.
Q: Where to watch Heated Rivalry Season 1 in India?
A: Heated Rivalry Season 1 is now streaming on Lionsgate Play (OTTplay Premium).