Origin- NRL to Lock Bathrooms During Welcome to Country. Reminds Fans To ‘Go Before You Come To The Game’

Perth, Australia – June 4, 2025 – The National Rugby League (NRL) has rolled out a startling new rule for its upcoming match at Optus Stadium in Perth, announcing that all bathrooms will be locked during the Welcome to Country ceremony, and any fan attempting to leave their seat could face hate crime charges. The policy, intended to enforce “unwavering respect” for the Indigenous tradition, follows criticism of the league after the Melbourne Storm cancelled a similar ceremony on Anzac Day, prompting the NRL to take drastic measures to ensure compliance, but fans are furious, especially those with children or medical conditions who fear the consequences of a five-minute lockdown.

Security will patrol the stands to enforce the rule, with penalties ranging from fines to legal action under a “disrupting cultural harmony” charge, a classification the NRL claims aligns with hate crime laws, leaving many to wonder if the league’s push for cultural sensitivity has veered into authoritarian territory. While some Indigenous leaders applaud the NRL’s stance, others, alongside fans and players, argue it risks turning a moment of unity into one of resentment, with one anonymous attendee stating, “I respect the ceremony, but I shouldn’t have to risk arrest to take my kid to the bathroom—has the NRL lost its mind?”