AFL Commission Grants Tasmania 19th Team Licence, Set to Join League in 2028

Tasmania‘s long–awaited time to join the AFL has finally arrived, with Premier Jeremy Rockliff proclaiming that generations of Tasmanians have been fighting for this moment. AFL boss Gillon McLachlan and Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles flew into Hobart on Wednesday to officially sign the team licence deal, with the new AFL and AFLW teams set to join the league in 2028.

The decision was made by the AFL Commission yesterday, in a move that McLachlan said would make the national competition ‘truly national‘. The team was awarded on the condition a 23,000–seat, fixed–roof stadium be built at Hobart‘s Macquarie Point, with the federal government providing the final funding for the project last weekend.

Devonport–born Richmond great Matthew Richardson summed up the momentous occasion, saying, “What a day this will be“. He added that Tasmania is a ‘grassroots heartland state of our game‘. Mitch Robinson, another Tasmanian–born player who left the island for his AFL career, reflected on comments he made back in 2008, saying “It‘s every Tassie boy‘s dream to play for an AFL team representing the state“.

The enthusiasm of the Tasmanian community is evident, with Premier Rockliff proclaiming that this is their time to shine. The AFL and AFLW teams are set to join the league in 2028, and Tasmanians all around the state will be cheering them on.

Key Takaways: 

• The AFL has officially awarded Tasmania the league‘s 19th team licence.
• The decision was made by the AFL Commission and the team is set to join the league in 2028.
• The team was awarded on the condition a 23,000–seat, fixed–roof stadium be built at Hobart‘s Macquarie Point.
• Generations of Tasmanians have been fighting for this moment and the enthusiasm of the Tasmanian community is evident.
• Richmond great Matthew Richardson and Tasmanian–born player Mitch Robinson both expressed their excitement over the news.