After decades of lobbying, political debate and constant campaigning from football supporters across the island, Tasmania has finally secured what many believed should have happened generations ago. The state now has an AFL licence, the Tasmania Devils are locked in, and the long debated Macquarie Point stadium in Hobart has received the green light.
For Tasmanian football fans, it is the culmination of years of frustration and persistence. The state that has produced elite players for more than a century will finally have a team of its own competing on the national stage.
But now that the political fight has largely been settled, a different question has started to surface.
Is the stadium big enough?
The proposed Macquarie Point stadium will seat around 23,000 spectators and will feature a roof, modern facilities and a waterfront location in the heart of Hobart. It is designed to be a boutique stadium capable of hosting AFL football, cricket, and major entertainment events throughout the year. It will become the permanent home of the Tasmania Devils when the club enters the AFL competition later this decade.
At first glance, a 23,000 seat venue represents a major step forward for Tasmanian football. The state’s existing venues are significantly smaller. UTAS Stadium in Launceston holds around 17,500 spectators, while Hobart’s current AFL venue sits at a similar capacity. A purpose built stadium with room for 23,000 fans is therefore a clear upgrade on what Tasmania currently has.
However, the excitement surrounding the Devils suggests the demand for tickets could be enormous.
Even before the team has played a single AFL match, interest in the club has been extraordinary. Thousands of supporters have already expressed interest in becoming members, and football fans across the state are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Tasmania’s first AFL side.
That enthusiasm is already starting to show itself in the early stages of the Devils’ development.
The club’s first appearance at VFL level is expected to draw significant attention. For their opening match against Coburg, it is anticipated that more than 11,000 supporters could attend. For a VFL game, that is an extremely strong crowd and far above the typical attendance figures for the competition.
It is also a powerful early indicator of how passionate Tasmanian football supporters are about finally having a team they can call their own.
If more than 11,000 people are willing to turn up to watch a developmental VFL side play its first match, it raises an obvious question. What will happen when the Devils start playing AFL matches against some of the biggest clubs in the country?
When teams like Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon or Richmond travel to Hobart, demand for tickets could skyrocket. Supporters from across Tasmania will want to attend, and interstate fans may also travel to experience football in the island state.
In that scenario, a 23,000 seat stadium could sell out very quickly.
That possibility has led some critics to argue that Tasmania may have missed an opportunity. After waiting decades to secure an AFL team, some believe the state should have built a stadium capable of holding closer to 30,000 or even 35,000 spectators from the beginning.
A larger venue would allow more fans to attend major matches and could increase revenue through ticket sales, corporate hospitality and tourism. Tasmania is likely to attract interstate visitors for games, particularly in the early years when curiosity and excitement will be at their peak.
More seats would mean more opportunities to capitalise on that interest.
There is also the symbolic factor to consider. The Tasmania Devils will represent an entire state rather than a single city or suburb. Many AFL clubs share venues with several other teams, particularly in Melbourne. Tasmania will effectively have one primary AFL home ground, meaning every major home game will take place at Macquarie Point.
With that in mind, some supporters feel the stadium should reflect the significance of that moment.
However, there are strong arguments supporting the current capacity as well.
One of the most important factors is atmosphere. A packed stadium creates a powerful environment for players and fans alike. When every seat is filled, the noise and energy can transform a venue into one of the most intimidating places to play in the league.
Many successful AFL venues operate on this boutique stadium model. Geelong’s Kardinia Park is a prime example. Despite being smaller than Melbourne’s major stadiums, it regularly produces a fierce atmosphere because the crowd sits close to the action and the stands are almost always full.
A similar environment in Hobart could quickly turn Macquarie Point into a genuine fortress for the Devils.
There are also financial realities involved in building a stadium.
The Macquarie Point project already carries a cost of more than one billion dollars, making it one of the most expensive infrastructure developments in Tasmania’s history. Increasing the stadium’s size significantly would almost certainly have pushed that price even higher.
For a state with a population of just over half a million people, building a much larger venue may have been difficult to justify.
The location of the stadium also plays a role. Macquarie Point sits on Hobart’s waterfront, a site chosen not only for football but also for its potential to drive urban renewal and tourism. While the location offers spectacular views and a central position within the city, it also limits how large the stadium footprint can realistically become.
Transport access, surrounding development and environmental considerations all influence the design.
There is some reassurance in the fact that the stadium has been designed with potential expansion in mind. Some plans suggest capacity could eventually increase to around 30,000 if demand grows strong enough.
But expanding a stadium after construction is never simple. Structural limitations, cost and logistical challenges can all make upgrades complicated once the venue is already built.
Ultimately, the true answer to the capacity debate will only become clear once the Devils start playing AFL football.
If the stadium sells out every week and thousands of fans miss out on tickets, the pressure to expand will grow quickly. If attendance settles comfortably below the capacity mark, the planners may well have chosen the perfect size.
For now, the early signs suggest Tasmania’s football passion should not be underestimated.
A potential crowd of more than 11,000 for the Devils’ first VFL clash against Coburg shows that supporters are ready to embrace their team long before the club even reaches the AFL.
Tasmania has waited generations for this moment. When the Devils finally run onto the field for their first AFL match at Macquarie Point, the roar from those 23,000 seats may be deafening.
The only question is whether there will be thousands more fans outside wishing they could get in.