The AFL has confirmed a Tasmanian side is expected to enter the league in the 2028 season, officially becoming the 19th club in the competition.
After receiving the required funding for a 23,000 capacity stadium at Macquarie Point and the unanimous backing of all 18 AFL presidents, the AFL signed a binding agreement with the Tasmanian Government for the expansion of the league into the Apple Isle.
The league will welcome the newest AFL club in 2028, with plans for a new AFLW side to enter the women's competition in the coming years, as well as VFL and VFLW sides before 2028, with a men's state league side coming into the fold as early as 2025.
Speaking at the announcement in Hobart on Wednesday afternoon, McLachlan said it was a "historic day" for the AFL and Tasmania.
"There are big days and there are really big days. For our national game of Australian rules football and for the state of Tasmania this feels really big. Historic. Big for football, big for Tasmanians, big for all AFL supporters," Mr McLachlan said.
"Today is an important and historic day, for football in Tasmania, for football in Australia, for footy supporters all around the country.
"Today we are here to ensure a foundation football state, filled with believers, supporters and gravel rash grit, get the opportunity to unite their state and unite behind a single cause."
Tasmania's first bid for an AFL license came in the mid-1990s, with this week's announcement a groundbreaking achievement for the island state and its football roots.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff expressed his delight following the agreement, stating Tasmania's "time has come".
โThis is a proud and ground-breaking moment in our history - put simply, Tasmania will never be the same again," Rockliff said.
โAfter more than a century, the AFL will finally be complete and recognised as a truly national competition.
โWe have fought hard to deliver this and I couldn't be prouder to deliver our own team, that will take the field in our own colours, and sing our own song.
โFor everyone who has backed us and Believedโ thank you for sticking with us, as we've brought this home.
โTasmania's time has come."
The league has confirmed a community campaign will be launched to brand the club's name, logo, guernsey and song, while the club's training and administration base will be worked through in the coming months.
