At a Glance
- Heated Rivalry stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will carry the Olympic Flame to the Milan Cortina Winter Games 2026.
- The torch relay will finish in Milan on Feb. 6, 2026 during the opening ceremony.
- The show, already renewed for a second season, has become a phenomenon since its U.S. premiere in November 2025.
Why it matters: The pairing of popular actors with a historic Olympic tradition highlights how entertainment and sport can intersect on a global stage.
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The world of hockey romance just got a real-world twist. Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, the charismatic leads of the hit series Heated Rivalry, have been selected to carry the Olympic Flame for the Milan Cortina Winter Games 2026. The duo will travel across the country, lighting the way to the final relay stop in Milan on Feb. 6, 2026, where the opening ceremony will ignite.
The selection comes after the series, which debuted in November 2025, quickly became a cultural touchstone. Heated Rivalry follows two rival hockey players as they navigate a love story that spans years of growth and discovery. HBO Max, the U.S. distributor, announced the torchbearer honors in a release that also confirmed the show’s renewal for a second season.
The Torch Relay Journey
The Olympic Torch Relay is a storied tradition that begins months before the Games. Williams and Storrie will be among the athletes who keep the flame alive as it travels from the original source in Olympia, Greece, to the final stop in Milan.
| Leg | Location | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olympia, Greece | Oct. 2025 | Flame lit | |
| 2 | Various U.S. cities | Nov. 2025 – Jan. 2026 | Relay route | Williams & Storrie part of final leg |
| 3 | Milan, Italy | Feb. 6, 2026 | Opening ceremony | Flame carried into arena |
The relay will feature a mix of athletes, community leaders, and, in this case, two of the most beloved figures from a contemporary sports drama.
From Screen to Stage
Following the release of Heated Rivalry, Williams and Storrie embarked on a whirlwind press tour. Their stops included a memorable appearance at 30 Rock in New York City, a spot that drew both fans and media attention. Williams graced The Tonight Show, while Storrie appeared on Late Night and TODAY.
Storrie praised the creative team behind the series, especially writer-director Jacob Tierney, saying: “I think the love, the spice, the world, the connection. I think he was just a really, really big fan, and I think that love poured over into his interpretation of it,” he told TODAY.com.
The actor also mentioned that the second season may begin filming as early as this summer. Meanwhile, Williams reflected on his sudden rise to stardom in a December 16 interview with The Hollywood Reporter: “I don’t think it’s something you can prepare for,” he said.
What This Means for the Games
The inclusion of Williams and Storrie adds a layer of cultural relevance to the 2026 Games. Their roles as torchbearers symbolize the blending of athletic achievement with artistic storytelling, a theme that resonates with the Olympic spirit of unity and celebration.
The Milan Cortina Winter Games, scheduled for February 2026, will showcase a range of sports from alpine skiing to figure skating. The torch relay’s culmination in Milan will serve as a powerful visual reminder of the Games’ global reach and the shared enthusiasm of fans worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- Heated Rivalry stars are officially torchbearers for the 2026 Winter Games.
- The relay will conclude in Milan on Feb. 6, 2026.
- The show’s success and the actors’ popularity make them ideal ambassadors for the Olympic tradition.
The story first appeared on TODAY.com, and more updates are expected as the Games draw closer.
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