Tasmania will make its AFL debut in 2028.
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AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirmed the state's entrance into the national competition in Hobart on Wednesday while also making clear that it expects that the news stadium in Hobart will have a roof.
"There are big days and then there are really big days," Mr McLachlan said.
"Today is the result of nearly 150 years of football passion by Tasmania and their proud and passionate football community
"Today, we close the loop.
"Today is about recognising Tasmania belongs in our AFL and AFLW competitions, belongs in a national football conversation and belongs in the national fixture."
The confirmation at one of the state's spiritual homes of football, at North Hobart Oval, came after the AFL signed binding commitments with the state government earlier on Wednesday for the delivery of set conditions, including partnering with the federal government for the construction of a 23,000-seat roofed stadium at Macquarie Point.
"You cannot leave Tasmania off the map and call yourself an Australian Football League,'' Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.
"Today at midday we changed all that. We changed the course of history, not only for the AFL, but for Tasmania itself."
Mr McLachlan suggested the state would join the VFL by 2025.
The league said a proposed timeline for the state's entry into the AFLW would be "worked through shortly", with Mr Rockliff saying via social media that the state would have a VFLW team prior to the 2028 season.
A community campaign will be launched to select the brand of the Tasmanian team including its name, logo, guernsey and team song.
The AFL and the state government will work to establish a club nominations committee to select a club chair and board of directors.
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