The AFL has gifted an early Christmas present to Tasmania, announcing today that it will invest $15 million into the construction of Hobart’s planned Macquarie Point Stadium.
This is the first financial contribution made by the league towards the $750 million multi-purpose, roofed stadium, alongside the state government’s $375 million investment.
With the capacity to seat close to 23,000, the AFL are also seeking private investors to close the funding gap for the stadium, which they say is a prerequisite for the establishment of a Tasmanian AFL team.
The league confirmed that there will be no further updates on the team or stadium this year.
The proposed Hobart AFL stadium has been a controversial topic in Tasmania, with some questioning the use of taxpayer money on a new venue that has been earmarked for an Antarctic science precinct and an Aboriginal truth and reconciliation park.
The $750 million price tag has been criticized by politicians, including independent Senator Jacqui Lambie, who stated that such a large sum of money would be better spent on addressing other pressing issues facing the state, such as housing, roads, and addressing family and domestic violence.
The issue has also been raised as to why a new stadium is needed when Blundstone Arena, located on Hobart’s eastern shore, already hosts four AFL games per year as well as domestic and international cricket.
In February of 2022, a state government stadium site selection report ruled out Bellerive Oval for redevelopment, stating that it was too small for a new or upgraded stadium with a radius of 140 metres.
Proponents of the new Hobart stadium often point to the success of inner-city stadiums in other states, such as the Adelaide Oval and Perth stadium, which have had positive economic impacts on their respective states.
