Run It Straight collision sport controversy

The story so far

Run It Straight, a social media collision game in which a ball runner and a defender collide at full speed, drew criticism from a brain injury support group and the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board. Two men were knocked out at an Auckland event, and organisers had not secured permits for similar events in Māngere and Mt Albert. Those Auckland events were cancelled, and the Runit Championship League said it would still return to Trusts Arena. Auckland Council denied the organisers' claims that it had prevented the events, saying no permit requests were submitted.^{20, 21, 22, 23 May 2025} A 19-year-old died in hospital after a serious head injury while playing a tackle game based on the trend with friends in Palmerston North. The Prime Minister said the government cannot ban online trends but urged personal responsibility. The teenager's family and the rugby league community have called for the trend to be condemned and cancelled. Sports Medicine New Zealand members want the activity banned, and the government is seeking advice on possible action.^{27, 28, 29, 30 May 2025} Organisers moved the RunIt competition final from Auckland to Dubai, where the winner will receive a $200,000 prize. A coroner, reporting on a 2023 death of a rugby league player from head injuries, said Runit competitions should not be recognised as an official sport.^{12, 19 Jun 2025}

Latest

A former NRL and Kiwis forward suffered a serious brain injury and an apparent seizure during a Runit Championship League event in Dubai.^{30 Jun 2025} The parents of the Palmerston North teenager are urging sports stars and influencers to speak out against the trend.^{29 May 2025}

What's next

The government is seeking advice on potential actions against the sport.^{30 May 2025} The RunIt competition final is set to take place in Dubai, with a $200,000 prize for the winner.^{12 Jun 2025}

Key moments

1. 21 May 2025Māngere event cancelled after organisers failed to obtain a required permit.
2. 22 May 2025Two men knocked out at Auckland event; one reportedly suffered a seizure.
3. 22 May 2025Second Auckland Run It Straight event cancelled following backlash from other events.
4. 23 May 2025Council denies organisers' claims it prevented South Auckland events, saying no permits were sought.
5. 27 May 2025Teenager dies after head injury during tackle game in Palmerston North.
6. 28 May 2025Prime Minister says government cannot ban online trends, urges personal responsibility.
7. 30 May 2025Sports Medicine New Zealand members call for a ban on the RunIt collision activity.
8. 12 Jun 2025RunIt competition final moved from Auckland to Dubai after calls for a ban.
9. 19 Jun 2025Coroner says Runit competitions should not be recognised as an official sport.
10. 30 Jun 2025Former Kiwis forward suffers serious brain injury at Runit event in Dubai.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.