Why is NHL viewership spiking? An HBO show might be the reason

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Mar 1, 2026 - 17:25

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Why is NHL viewership spiking? An HBO show might be the reason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Ice hockey has been a hot topic across America for the last few months, and as the NHL season resumes this week, fans are eager to watch their favorite players hit the ice. Yet, before the Winter Olympics took over, there was a moment within popular culture that brought newfound NHL fans to the rink.

Originally produced by Canada’s streaming service, Crave, director Jacob Tierney’s “Heated Rivalry” – a hockey-based romance television series – was released on HBO Max last October. The television show is an adaptation of author Rachel Reid’s book series “Game Changers,” and its popularity took the hockey world by storm as the plot explored a romantic relationship between fictional rival players Shane Hollander and Illya Rozanov.

As the two protagonists balance their passion for their sport and one another, the overlapping plotlines also paint the picture of what it means for an athlete to embrace their queer identity.

It’s no secret that Heated Rivalry has certainly left its mark on both the LGBTQ+ community and its athletes, but what has its popularity done for the NHL?

MORE: What Is 'Heated Rivalry'? Stars of HBO hockey drama chosen as torchbearers for 2026 Winter Olympics

Well, fans’ interest in the show is potentially linked to the rise in ticket sales within the NHL, as examined by well-known ticket retailer SeatGeek.

SeatGeek reported that following the first week of the regular hockey season – which was when the first episode of “Heated Rivalry” aired – ticket sales per game rose by 24% in Week 2. That rise was consistent as the NHL skated into Week 3, with sales remaining 22% higher than in Week 1.

While many things can drive an increase in game attendance, SeatGeek also compared the 2025-26 ticket sales to last year’s 2024-25 season. As noted, comparing Week 2’s sales to Week 1’s, ticket sales increased by only 0.7%, with the first week of competition later outperforming the third week by 34%.

Given the show’s smashing success, an NHL league representative spoke to the Hollywood Reporter about how the fruits of this unexpected romance story brought new fans to hockey.

“There are so many ways to get hooked on hockey and, in the NHL’s 108-year history, this might be the most unique driver for creating new fans,” the representative said.

So whether you’re considering following the NHL after Team USA’s gold-medal victory or going back and forth with where to start, then watching “Heated Rivalry” might be what introduces your new passion for the sport.