The $750 million stadium plan to transform Hobart and land Tasmania’s AFL team

Hobart’s iconic River Derwent could soon have a new $750 million feature that could change the capital city and state forever. SEE THE PLANS >>

THE jewel in Tasmania’s AFL campaign is a proposed visually spectacular $750 million retractable roofed 27,000-seat stadium on reclaimed land nestled on the banks of the iconic River Derwent at Regatta Point.

Within walking distance of the Hobart CBD and boasting ferry terminals and right next to the northern suburbs transport corridor, the proposed new “Devils Den” will not only house the state’s AFL team, but also large scale concerts with an increased capacity to 30,000.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein will use Tuesday’s State of the State address to announce the plan, which he said “would deliver significant social and economic outcomes, and create a spectacular and iconic entry to the city.”

The Stadium will only proceed if Tasmania gains an AFL licence later this year, with the government setting an ambitious target of being ready for the 2027 season following two years of planning, approvals and contracting, and then two to three years of construction.

He said funding would be sought from all levels of government and from the private sector and equity raising.

“It will be an important part of Tasmania’s sporting and entertainment evolution, growing and supporting the state’s visitor economy, and inspiring infrastructure and transport systems to support industry, business and community growth, ultimately shaping and invigorating our capital city,” Mr Gutwein said.

Artists impression of the new AFL/multipurpose Hobart Stadium.

“It will be connected to various transport modes and will fill the city and the State with accommodation, hospitality and retail activity.”

A new Hobart stadium was first raised by the AFL Taskforce as part of its business case in 2019, with a roofed venue considered one of the key stipulations from league HQ for landing a licence.

The site, adjacent to Macquarie Point, is a combination of crown and Hobart City Council land.

It will back onto the Cenotaph and will mean the removal of the Regatta Point grandstand.

He said he would work with the RSL and the Regatta Association on “how such a stadium could enhance” the area as well as providing a new home for the Regatta on the riverside of the stadium complex.

It is hoped the venue will help transform Hobart similar to what Optus Stadium has done in Perth and the redeveloped Adelaide Oval has done in the South Australian capital.

Artists impression of the new AFL/multipurpose Hobart Stadium.

Earlier this month, four-time AFL premiership coach and Taskforce consultant Alastair Clarkson said a new stadium would benefit everyone in the city.

“With Perth and Adelaide, we’ve seen the impact on both those cities,” Clarkson told the Mercury.

A site plan of a new $750m Hobart stadium on the waterfront and reclaimed land at the Regatta Grounds, featuring the ability to have a closed roof. Picture: Philip Lighton Architects.

“We don’t have to look too far to see economic prosperity whether you follow the game or not as Adelaide and Perth are great models of that and Hobart has the chance to be the next capital city in Australia to enjoy the benefits of a new stadium.”

The State of the State will also include sporting infrastructure proposals for Penguin’s Dial Regional Sports Complex to host AFL and A-league games and redevelopment plans for Launceston’s University of Tasmania Stadium for AFL, VFL and TSL games and rectangular pitches for A-League matches.

Premier Peter Gutwein with former Hawthorn Football Club coach Alastair Clarkson. Clarkson is set to help Tasmania gain an AFL team. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The new stadium will be only the second in the AFL with a retractable roof, will also be high performance centre, that could allow it to tap into federal funding ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.

“(It) will underpin pathways for our people to compete at the highest level in Tasmanian teams, stimulate greater grassroots participation and contribute to a more active and healthier population,” Mr Gutwein said.

“Our goal is to develop a multipurpose stadium that takes the best of today’s stadia design standards and trends, has a flexible design that allows for future evolution of the facilities and infrastructure, and has a strong connection to its surrounds, making it a true community asset and city building project.”

It is expected a decision on Tasmania’s long dream to join the AFL will be made about August this year, and will need the support of the AFL commission plus at least one third of the AFL club presidents.