Tasmania has been granted a licence to become the 19th team in the AFL.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan made the official announcement of Tasmania’s entry into the competition at North Hobart Oval on Wednesday afternoon, flanked by Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff, acting Prime Minister Richard Marles, and Richmond star and Tasmanian Jack Riewoldt.
The league signed agreements with the Tasmanian government on Wednesday morning committing to the team, and the construction of a 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point, on the Hobart waterfront. The men’s team is set to enter in 2028, with a timeline being worked on for a women’s team in the AFLW.
“There are big days and there are really big days. For our national game of Australian rules football and for the state of Tasmania this feels really big. Historic. Big for football, big for Tasmanians, big for all AFL supporters,” McLachlan said.
“Today is an important and historic day, for football in Tasmania, for football in Australia, for footy supporters all around the country.
“Today we are here to ensure a foundation football state, filled with believers, supporters and gravel rash grit, get the opportunity to unite their state and unite behind a single cause.”
AFL’s Tasmania entry had been conditional on the construction of a new stadium, which the federal Labor government has funded to the tune of $240 million, while the Tasmanian Liberal government has pledged $345 million.
The project, budgeted at $715 million, is earmarked for completion in 2029, more than a year after the new team is set to take the field.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan announced Tasmania’s entry as the league’s 19th team.Credit: Getty Images
