Sports romance explodes in popularity: Heated Rivalry leads genre surge in 2026

The sports romance genre is surging in popularity heading into 2026, with Heated Rivalry, originally a bestselling hockey romance novel and now a hit TV adaptation, at the forefront of the trend.

Industry observers say this mix of athletic competition and emotional storytelling has captured audiences’ attention and helped define one of the year’s most talked-about literary and entertainment movements.

Rachel Reid’s Heated Rivalry, first published in 2019 and based on her Game Changers series, was already a fan favourite before its recent television debut.

The TV version, starring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, has dramatically increased interest in the original book, with digital library activity for the novel rising sharply after the show’s release.

Reid, who served as a consulting producer on the adaptation, called the screen version “perfect” and has expressed gratitude for how it brought renewed attention to the story.

Experts say what makes sports romance resonate with readers and viewers is its built-in emotional stakes. The combination of physical competition and personal vulnerability allows authors to explore themes of ambition, rivalry and connection in compelling ways.

Authors in the growing genre, including Lana Ferguson and Edward Schmit, point to the inherent drama of sports settings and the deep emotional bonds that form between characters as key factors in the genre’s appeal.