Ottawa has a moment. With Heated Rivalry Season 2 set in the capital—the future home of "Hollanov," the romance between hockey player Shane Hollander and his partner Ilya Rozanov—fans of the beloved Crave series are turning the city into a pilgrimage destination.
Ottawa Tourism leaned all the way in, launching a worldwide contest in late February 2026 offering one lucky winner (and a plus one) a full Ottawa experience worthy of the show's characters: flights, two nights on the Gold Floor at the Fairmont Château Laurier, a night at Parc Oméga chalet, a gift card to Hello Dolly Pastries, dinner at The Dreamland Cafe, and passes to the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Ottawa Spots That Look Like They're Straight from the Show
Whether or not the cameras are actually rolling, here are the spots that feel most "Shane and Ilya" in Ottawa:
Fairmont Château Laurier The most iconic hotel in Ottawa is practically made for TV. Its limestone turrets, grand ballrooms, and views of the Rideau Canal are as cinematic as it gets. If you wanted to set a romance in Ottawa, this would be your first call.
Canadian Museum of Nature The Victoria Memorial Museum Building—a gorgeous Neo-Gothic stone castle in the Glebe—houses Canada's national natural history collection. It's the kind of place you take someone to impress them.
PWHL Ottawa (Ottawa Charge) You can't film a hockey romance in Ottawa without spending time at a home game. The Ottawa Charge, Ottawa's Professional Women's Hockey League team, plays at the Canadian Tire Centre and has been drawing incredible crowds.
The Spaniel's Tale A beloved independent bookshop tucked into the ByWard Market area. Intimate, charming, the kind of place you'd bring a date on a rainy afternoon.
In the Glebe The Glebe neighbourhood's mix of independent shops, coffee spots, and tree-lined streets makes it one of Ottawa's most walkable and photogenic areas.
Ottawa's Stairways and Parks From Major's Hill Park overlooking the canal and Parliament, to the leafy paths of the Experimental Farm, Ottawa has no shortage of scenic spots that would translate beautifully to screen.
Why Ottawa Is Perfect for This Story
Ottawa has a reputation as Canada's least-romantic city—a reputation that's both deeply unfair and clearly being challenged right now. Heated Rivalry fans are discovering what locals already know: this city is full of quiet beauty, grand architecture, and the kind of low-key charm that makes for genuinely good dates.
Shane Hollander's hometown is ready for its moment.
