The AFL landscape is set for a significant shift as the Richmond Tigers confirm a major move south, securing a lucrative deal to play a home game in Hobart starting from the 2026 season.
Tasmanian Takeover: The New Home Game
In a strategic relocation, Richmond will move one of their Marvel Stadium home games to Hobart's Ninja Stadium for the 2026 AFL season. The Tigers are slated to face the Brisbane Lions at the Tasmanian venue, marking a new chapter for the club's fixture schedule.
This arrangement is designed to ensure AFL content remains in the state's capital in the lead-up to the introduction of the Tasmania Devils. The deal, which was pursued by the Tasmanian Government, is expected to span at least the next two seasons, bridging the gap until the Devils officially enter the league in 2028.
Financial Windfall and Fixture Stability
The financial upside for Richmond is substantial. The club is tipped to net approximately $1 million per season from the Hobart arrangement. This represents a major financial uplift compared to the returns from hosting the match at Marvel Stadium.
Despite this interstate move, the Tigers' strong connection to the MCG will remain unshaken. The club is expected to maintain its core schedule of 10 home matches at the MCG. The game moving to Tasmania is the additional Marvel Stadium match the Tigers have hosted in recent years, meaning their Melbourne presence is largely unaffected.
A Changing Tasmanian Football Landscape
This new partnership with Richmond comes as North Melbourne's long-standing presence in Tasmania undergoes a significant reduction. The Kangaroos previously played four games a season in Hobart, but this was phased down to two matches for 2025. North Melbourne will exit Tasmania completely next season, with their matches being redistributed to venues in Perth and Bunbury, while two games return to Marvel Stadium.
The arrival of the Richmond Tigers in Hobart therefore fills a crucial void, keeping the AFL flag flying high in Tasmania and building excitement for the eventual debut of the local Devils team.
