The Tasmania Devils 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point on track, says state government

Government confirms Macquarie Point Stadium is on track while AFL insists ‘no stadium’ is still a deal-breaker.

Macquarie Point Multipurpose stadium north west gate. Picture: Mac Point Development Corporation

The state government says Macquarie Point Stadium is on schedule to be delivered as promised in 2029 as the project continues to progress through its assessment as a Project of State Significance.

Under its Tasmanian team Licence Agreement with the AFL, the Tasmania Devils will debut in the big league in 2028 and the stadium contracted to be online the following year.

Macquarie Point multipurpose stadium south west gate. Picture: Mac Point Development Corporation

The Mercury reported today that the AFL had relaxed its “no stadium, no team” Mantra, but AFL Executive General Manager Corporate Affairs, Government & Communications Brian Walsh said: “There has been no change to the conditions contracted for a 19th AFL team licence in Tasmania which includes the commitment of a 23,000-seat, roofed stadium at Macquarie Point.”

A spokesperson for Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the project was on track.

That is cause for celebration for Devils fans, who can expect to see their team run onto the field in the 23,000-seat roofed stadium in 2029, after playing their debut home games at Ninja Stadium, Bellerive, and UTas Stadium, in Launceston.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. First sitting day for the house of assembly in the Tasmanian parliament for 2025. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The government spokesperson said:

•The Macquarie Point project is currently progressing through the Project of State Significance process.

•The independent Tasmanian Planning Commission is assessing the project.

•The Commission has 12 months to complete this assessment.

•The 12-month assessment timeline commenced when the submission was made in September 2024 and has not changed.

On Monday, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon confirmed the Devils’ debut would be as planned.

“I was down in Tasmania last week and met with the premier and other people via Stadiums Tasmania and they are in the middle of quite a complex planning process,” he said.

“But at the moment everything is on track for Tassie to join the competition in 2028.

“There will be more to come on that later in the year.”

Originally published as The Tasmania Devils 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point on track, says state government