Tasmania has completed its long-running bid for an Australian Football League team by confirming that it has been awarded the 19th licence for the club, which will play at a new stadium in Hobart. The Tasmanian Government has committed to work with the Federal Government to build a 23,000-seat covered stadium at Macquarie Point.

The new Tasmanian Australian Football League (AFL) men’s team is expected to enter the competition in the 2028 Premiership season. The announcement comes after the federal government committed A$240 million to the AFL stadium project in Hobart. The Tasmanian Government has already pledged A$375 million to the project, with the AFL itself expected to contribute A$15 million.

© AFL

The Tasmanian government outlined its business case for the A$715 million project in December, after reaching an agreement in principle with the AFL to establish a new team in the state. Plans to obtain an AFL franchise through the Macquarie Point stadium complex were unveiled in 2019. However, the Tasmanian authorities have focused on a location at Regatta Point. In September, the Tasmanian government confirmed that it had selected the nine-hectare Macquarie Point site, which was reported to be the AFL's preferred location.

The Tasmanian Government says it will build a 23,000-seat stadium south-east of Hobart's CBD. The new concept images of the venue show a permanent roof over it. The new franchise is expected to play home matches at Bellerive Oval in Hobart and York Park in Launceston ahead of the the new stadium completion in 2028 or 2029. Before this happens you can visit casinos in Tasmania.

Tasmania's Premier Jeremy Rockliff has stated that he remains committed to the A$715 million stadium despite protests against the project. The AFL has signed binding commitments with the Tasmanian government to meet the conditions of the franchise award, including working with the federal government to build a 23,000-seat covered stadium at Macquarie Point. The Australian Federal Government has committed A$240 million to the project, the Tasmanian Government has committed A$375 million and the AFL itself will contribute A$15 million.

© AFL

In addition to the AFL's A$15 million for the stadium, it will invest A$10 million in the club's training ground and administration, A$90 million in game development, A$33 million in young talent development and A$210 million in distribution to the new club over the first 10 years. The agreement also includes a A$4.5 million penalty if the stadium is not half-finished by 27 October, and another A$4.5 million penalty if it is not ready by 2028.

The contract also included elements specific to the stadium design, such as a permanent translucent roof, unobstructed views of the pitch and the possibility of hosting other sporting events and concerts.