Supporters barricading for their favorite NRLW team in the grand final were left disappointed by the lack of merchandise on offer at Accor Stadium.
The thousands of fans who poured into Accor Stadium hoping to cheer on the Gold Coast Titans or Newcastle Knights in Sunday’s NRLW grand final were unable to purchase women’s team merchandise ahead of the match.
It is understood that the issue of merchandise available in the stadium for the women’s grand final was raised early on, but seemingly dismissed in favor of focusing on the men’s grand final.
There was either no women’s merchandise available on the stadium grounds, or it was very difficult to find, even if one or two stalls stocked Titans or Knights merchandise.
It comes as crowds more than doubled for the 4pm women’s match, hours before the men’s grand final kick-off at 7.50pm.
Accor Stadium failed to sell NRLW merchandise on the day of the grand final
The glaring omission set a sour tone on Newcastle Knights’ grand final victory
Even the teams’ websites were lackluster when it came to donning the jersey or waving a flag in support of the respective women’s teams.
Knights fans could pre-order a 2023 finals T-shirt in black or white from the club’s website for $39.95, which was available for purchase online ahead of the match.
Titans fans, on the other hand, could no longer order their team’s 2023 finals T-shirt, with orders only open for 24 hours from September 17.
The lack of merchandise options meant thousands of fans who packed the Accor Stadium to watch the women’s grand final on Sunday were unable to raise their flags in support.
Queensland fans hoping to cheer on the Titans were even forced to wave their Broncos flags instead of heading to the women’s barracks.
Accor Stadium has been contacted.