Frequently Asked Questions
A world-class stadium isn’t just important - it’s essential.
These FAQs explain why the Stadium at Macquarie Point is critical to securing Tasmania’s AFL team and building a stronger future for the state.
What will the stadium include?
- 23,000 seated capacity, with 1,500 additional spaces offering structured standing options
- 31,500 patron capacity for major concert events
- 1,500 person function room with views to both the field of play and toward kunanyi
- 159.5m x 128.5m oval field-of-play
- Transparent fixed dome-shaped roof supported by steel and locally sourced and grown timber
- An elevated 360-degree internal concourse, as well as an external concourse
- An intimate seating bowl that will bring crowds closer to the action
- A concourse design that enables fans to see the field-of-play while waiting for food, drinks and to use amenities
- A serviced grandstand on the western side with three levels of functional space above the field.
Why is the stadium so important to the Club?
- Modern stadiums are the backbone of club revenue and competitiveness.
- There is a strong correlation between a Club’s sustainability on-field success, and we want to be a competitive Club, not just one that makes up the numbers.
- Financial modelling shows the Devils would be $5.4-$5.9 million worse off annually without a new stadium (if they played at York Park or Bellerive Oval), due to reduced income from:
- Sponsorship (–$1.2m)
- Hospitality (–$1.8m)
- Membership (–$1.3m)
- Ticket sales, merchandise, fan experience (–$1–1.5m)
- Without the right infrastructure, the club would be set up to struggle right from the start.
What benefits do Tasmanians that don’t live in Hobart get from the stadium?
- We expect that Devils homes games will generate significant visitors from interstate from opposing Clubs. This will present a tremendous opportunity for tourism and hospitality across the state. We also expect that suppliers and contractors from across the state will play a key role in building and operating the stadium.
- Stable and secure returns from the stadium will underpin the Devil’s statewide engagement, including investing in youth programs and talent development in all corners of Tasmania.
- Matches will be played at upgraded venues at York Park in Launceston and the Dial Regional Sports Precinct in Penguin, giving all Tasmanians a share of the action.
What do we anticipate the stadium will delivery for Tasmanians?
- The stadium will support small business, drive tourism, and keep young people working and living locally.
- According to the AEC Group (April 2025) the stadium will deliver:
- $140 million in economic impact during construction
- $178 million per year once operational
- $65 million increase to Hobart’s gross regional product
- 385 full-time jobs and $44.7 million additional annual income
- A recent report commissioned by the Hobart City Council states that the stadium will deliver economic activity to the value of:
- $143 million per year during the construction phase of the project;
- $65.4 million growth in the city's gross regional product;
- $44.7 million rise in "incomes";
- 385 full-time equivalent jobs.
- Once operational, the Council’s report indicates that the Stadium will deliver:
- $179 million in annual economic benefit to the Hobart LGA;
- 813 direct and indirect jobs;
- ‘enhance the liveability and attractiveness of the City’; and
- ‘enhance greater connectivity within the inner city, providing another reason to visit the CBD and its entertainment offerings’.
Why should Tasmania have access to a stadium and the content that comes with it?
- Cities like Dunedin (pop. 130k), Townsville (180k), Geelong (270k), and Newcastle (350k) have world-class stadiums that drive jobs, events and pride in their regions. Dunedin and Christchurch as comparative populations, have 30,000 seat fully roofed stadiums.
- Tasmania (pop. 250k greater Hobart) is no different. We have proven throughout history we are capable of achieving great things – from the original hydro dams, to MONA and the new Bridgewater Bridge.
- With more than 208,000 club members and 18,000+ "Map" jumpers sold, the support is already here but we need the right infrastructure to match.
Why should we build the stadium now?
- This is a once-in-a-generation chance to put Tasmania on the national stage.
- There will never be a perfect time to build. If we delay now, we will never have this opportunity again.
The stadium would become an owned asset that produces an economic benefit for decades to come. Borrowing more money for the health system would create a compounding debt, and a budget position that would be difficult to sustain in either the short or long term.
Where can I find out more information?
You can read TFC’s submission to the Project of State Significance process here.
The Tasmanian Government has released the signed agreement with the AFL, in line with its commitment to be open and transparent through this process. You can find the Club Funding and Development Agreement here.
You can access the stadium business case and related information on the Department of State Growth’s website here.
The Macquarie Point Development Corporation has prepared a Precinct Plan for the site. You can learn more about this process here.
You can also read Russell Hanson's report on the Economic Benefits to Tasmania from the introduction of a Tasmanian AFL Team and a New Stadium in Hobart at Macquarie Point.
Why can’t we have the Club without the stadium?
- The Devils can’t exist without the stadium. That’s not a threat, it’s the reality of modern AFL.
- Tasmania’s entry into the national competition depends on meeting the same high-performance and commercial standards as every other club. That means elite facilities, broadcast quality venues and the ability to host fans, sponsors, and national media.
- It is not a matter of negotiation, it is the foundation of the AFL licence. The construction of a new, roofed stadium in a central capital city location was a core recommendation of the AFL Taskforce in 2019 - and it remains the foundation of our licence today.
Why can’t we utilise existing stadiums that host AFL in Tasmania?
- With more than 208,000 club members, demand for tickets will be high.
- Existing venues lack the capacity and amenities to meet that demand — meaning more Tasmanians would miss out on game day.
- UTAS Stadium can hold approximately 17,500 attendees and Ninja Stadium approximately 17,000 attendees. The new venue at Macquarie Point will hold 23,000 attendees.
- A new stadium means more families, more kids, and more communities can share in the experience of seeing their team play on the national stage.
Why can’t we upgrade Bellerive Oval rather than building a new stadium?
- Multiple expert reports have concluded that upgrading Bellerive is not viable.
- It faces permanent limitations:
- Surrounded by housing
- Poor transport links
- Noise restrictions
- Inaccessible by foot
- It simply doesn’t offer the game-day experience - or the long-term economic return - that Tasmania needs.
Why is the stadium and Club important to Tasmania’s young people?
- The Devils are already having a massive impact on kids across the state:
- 40 per cent increase in Auskick registrations in 2024
- A further 25 per cent increase by early 2025
- The stadium will help secure structured, long-term pathways for young Tasmanians — not just in football but in other sporting codes, as well as tourism, events, hospitality and sports management.
- It will help reverse the trend of our best and brightest moving interstate.
What other events will the stadium host (other than football)?
- Located in the heart of Hobart’s CBD, the Devils Stadium will be a vibrant entertainment precinct
- It will host AFL and AFLW home games, preseason matches, community fixtures, state league clashes and junior showcase games.
- It will also be a year-round facility for:
- Major concerts and music festivals
- National and international touring events
- Food, wine and cultural festivals
- Business conferences, expos and conventions
- Community sport, school carnivals and charity fundraisers
- With cafes, conference facilities, fan zones and retail, it will be a welcoming hub of activity all week - not just on match day.
Why does the stadium need to be in Hobart?
- To attract and retain the best possible athletes and staff, the stadium needs to be in the major population centre. It is an expectation of modern athletes to have access to the facilities and activities that come with a capital city. This has been backed up in several reports (including Tasmanian AFL Taskforce and Colin Carter Review).
- This Club will present a uniquely Tasmanian model with games to be played in both the south and the north when we enter the national league.
Are the AFL doing anything to contribute to Tasmania?
From 2023 through to the first decade in the life of a new Tasmanian club, representing Tasmania, featuring Tassie talent, the AFL will invest around $360 million in the state, to support football and a Tasmania team, with a significant portion going towards game development and end-to-end talent pathway programs for Tasmanian boys and girls, the equal to any in the country.
This investment includes:
- Minimum of $15 million in the stadium in the arts and entertainment precinct
- $10 million in the club’s training and administration facility
- $93 million in game development – supporting and growing local footy
- $33 million to develop young male and female talent in Tasmania
- $209 million in distributions to the new club over the first 10 years to cover base funding, variable funding,
AFLW funding and special list establishment funding to ensure a strong team from the start
With this financial commitment, representing the game in all parts of the state – the North, South and North West – the AFL’s vision is to take a quantum leap across community football:
- Double participation by the end of the decade
- Access to and upgrade of 70 new ovals across the state to accommodate grassroots demand
- New programs and competitions in 100 per cent of schools across the state
- A footy in every child’s hand, a footy in every home
- Major investment in participation programs, community coaches, volunteers and umpiring, which is critical to drive the next wave of talented players and administrators
- New regional academies in the South (Hobart), North (Launceston) and North West of the State (based in Penguin) for both boys and girls (from under 13 and above) to fast track the development of talent for the new club