Hobart's Macquarie Point stadium not expected to host AFL games until 2031

Hobart's new stadium is not expected to host AFL matches until three years after the Tasmania Devils enter the league.

When the $1.13 billion stadium was approved last year, it was hoped the Devils would begin playing on the field from 2029, with the chance of this being pushed to 2030.

Speaking to ABC Hobart Drive, Macquarie Point Development Corporation chief executive Anne Beach said the aim was to finish construction of the stadium "towards the end of 2030".

"It's important to the delivery of the stadium that we don't just get it to practical completion but also make sure that it's ready for play," Ms Beach said.

"There's things we need to allow time for and consider, like the laying of the turf and allowing time for that turf to establish before it's subject to that play."

Ms Beach said she "wouldn't anticipate" the project being ready before the 2031 season.

The funding agreement between the Tasmanian government and the AFL states the deal may be "terminated" if the stadium is not built before the start of 2031.

Ms Beach's time frame does not indicate this will be breached, but it does suggest community expectations for a 2029 or 2030 opening may be misguided.

"It's a complex structure and we need to allow time for that to be built," she said.

"We're still working to the timelines that are set out in that agreement."

The Devils are set to play in the VFL from this year, before joining the AFL for the 2028 season.

While the construction of the new stadium takes place, the side will host its AFL games at Hobart's Bellerive Oval and Launceston's York Park.

Translucent roof 'fantastic' for cricket

The comments come following the installation of a new testing rig for the translucent roof which is set to top the new stadium.

The dome-shaped roof, which will be made of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), has been a defining feature in plans for the future stadium.

It was a non-negotiable condition for the project, imposed by the AFL, and will also mean the structure can potentially host the world's first indoor test cricket match.

The roof was the subject of concern from major cricket bodies, who feared shadows over the centre wicket could put players at risk.

These concerns "vanished" late last year, after a solution involving applying a matte finish to one of the roof layers was uncovered.

A testing rig featuring the ETFE pillows has been installed at the project site, to the tune of $2 million, with cricketers able to test playing conditions beneath the structure.

Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker said the updated roof design was able to diffuse light and reduce shadows.

"We haven't played cricket under a roof of this type before so what we're trying to prove is that it's a safe environment for batters, bowlers, fielders," Mr Baker said.

"We'll capture as much data as possible, but the early signs are really fantastic."

There are plans to eventually relocate the test rig to a Cricket Tasmania base at Seven Mile Beach near Hobart, to simulate the stadium environment for training and grass growth.

Shadow is 'consistent'

While there was still a slight shadow beneath the roof structure, Ms Beach said it was a "consistent shadow" which would not distract players or impact on safety.

"The bottom layer [of the ETFE pillow] is matte so …. light goes through it, but it's not transparent," she said.

"That gives us a dispersion of the light, so we get consistency in light."

She said if shadow management can be achieved with the test rigging, the corporation will be "really confident" the situation will only improve when the roof is further above the field in the actual stadium.

Spectators lose scenic views

The updated design of the ETFE roof does significantly alter one of the selling points which was used during the promotion of the stadium, ahead of its approval.

Artist renditions consistently depicted the stadium with a clear roof, and it was spruiked that kunanyi/Mt Wellington and the cenotaph would both be visible from within the building.

"This way, visitors in the stands will remain visually connected to their place, and will have an experience that can be nowhere other than Hobart," a design document said.

Ms Beach said, due to the updated design, people inside the stadium "won't necessarily see out".

"You'll be able to see the colour of the sky, you'll be able to see the footprint of structures on the outside, but it won't be a fully transparent roof," she said.

Major contractor to be announced this year

After years of debate and division, the stadium was officially approved by the Tasmanian Parliament in December 2025.

An expression of interest process for the construction of the stadium was launched in January.

Minister for Macquarie Point Urban Renewal, Eric Abetz, recently told parliament a "number of companies" had come forward to be the major contractor.

Ms Beach said two companies will be shortlisted and invited to progress to the request for tender stage, before the major contractor is announced towards the end of this year.

Construction of the stadium structure is not expected to begin until mid-2027, although some works will take place on the site this year.

This includes the excavation of about 220,000 tonnes of contaminated soil and the relocation of the heritage-listed Goods Shed.

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