Tasmania Devils Fans Queue Up for Historic 2028 AFL Debut

Tasmania is about to make sporting history, and fans are lining up to be part of the action when the Tasmania Devils hit the AFL field in 2028.

The new team is rolling out a membership system designed to handle unprecedented demand. More than 216,000 founding members signed up two years ago, but now comes the real test of securing actual seats at games.

Starting this month, fans can purchase "Believer" memberships for $80 or $140. The higher tier includes access to VFL and VFLW games this year, giving supporters their first taste of Devils action before the big league debut.

Here's where it gets interesting. These Believer memberships unlock the ability to buy reserved seats for 2028 AFL games when they become available in May. Those premium R28 and 1866 memberships range from $150 to $1,500.

But there's a catch that reflects just how popular this team already is. Only 11,500 reserved seats will be available across both home venues, Bellerive Oval and York Park. That means many hopeful fans won't get their first choice.

Devils executive Kath McCann says there's strategy behind the approach. Fans who miss out in May stay at the front of the queue for the next batch of seats released closer to 2028.

The Bright Side

Tasmania is joining elite company with this capacity challenge. West Coast Eagles fans wait over 10 years for reserved seats at Perth Stadium. Adelaide, Brisbane, Collingwood, Hawthorn, and Carlton all have waitlists or sold-out sections.

It's the same story for Tasmania's NBL team, the JackJumpers, who've sold out more than 60 consecutive games since their inaugural season. About 4,000 people are currently waiting for JackJumpers reserved seats.

McCann says the Devils learned valuable lessons from the JackJumpers about staying flexible. The club tested pricing through extensive member surveys to ensure fairness while meeting different budget levels.

The capacity crunch will eventually ease. A new 23,000-seat stadium at Macquarie Point is planned, though it won't open until at least 2030, two years after the Devils' debut season.

For now, the phased approach gives fans options based on their priorities. Some are willing to pay for certainty now, while others prefer to wait for more seats to become available closer to game day.

Tasmania's journey to the AFL took decades of lobbying and dreaming. Now that dream is becoming real, complete with the growing pains that come with massive public support.