Tasmania is officially set to join the Australian Football League (AFL) as its 19th franchise starting from the 2028 season. The team, called the Tasmania Devils, was awarded the AFL license in May 2023 after unanimous approval. The club will also field teams in the AFL Women's (AFLW) from the 2027 season and in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and Victorian Football League Women’s (VFLW) starting in 2026 as part of its build-up to AFL entry. The Tasmania Devils have garnered strong community support with over 210,000 founding members already signed up. Initially, they will play home matches at York Park in Launceston and Bellerive Oval in Hobart, moving to a new stadium scheduled for completion by 2029. Key points:
- Tasmania joins AFL from the 2028 season.
- AFL Women's team to start in 2027.
- The club enters VFL and VFLW competitions in 2026.
- Strong membership base and infrastructure plans support the expansion.
- New stadium development is linked to the entry timeline.
Thus, Tasmania's AFL debut is officially scheduled for the 2028 season.
