AFL firm on stadium requirement for Tasmanian team

The AFL has reaffirmed its requirement for a new stadium to be built in Hobart in order for Tasmania to join the competition.

The proposed $715 million waterfront stadium in Hobart continues to be a divisive election issue in Tasmania, with Premier Jeremy Rockliff calling an early poll for March 23, pledging to cap state government spending at $375 million.

Tasmania’s opposition leader Rebecca White has vowed to renegotiate the deal with the AFL if elected, insisting the stadium is “not the right priority” for the state.

However AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has reiterated the Macquarie Point Stadium requirement for the Tasmanian team, which is soon expected to announce its name and colours.

"We've been really clear on saying that the licence that we have for the 19th team in Tasmania, which will be an amazing thing for Tasmania ... that we do need to have a stadium in Hobart, at Macquarie Point, (seating) at least 23,000 people and with a roof, because that was a pivotal part of the business case," Dillon said.

In addition to the $375 million pledged by the Tasmanian Government, the Commonwealth is contributing $240 million, the AFL $15 million, while borrowing and private funding will account for $85 million.

The revised stadium concept design was revealed in November 2022, while an alternate design, dubbed Mac Point 2.0, was proposed in October last year. Basing the new club at Blundstone Arena, which currently hosts AFL games for North Melbourne, has previously been ruled out.

Tasmania's AFL club will officially be launched in March ahead of its entry into the competition in 2028.