Hawthorn Football Club has welcomed the funding announcement for Hobart's new stadium and towards the redevelopment of UTAS Stadium.

The club has long supported the state in its pursuit for a team of its own, while making Tasmania its ‘home away from home’ since 2001.

Hawthorn is proud to be partnering with the Tasmanian Government until at least the end of the 2025 season and hopes to continue to maintain a footprint in the state into the future.

Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves said the club would be eager to continue to support Tasmania as work continues towards securing an AFL license.

“We are thrilled for the people of Tasmania. This stadium promises to be a world-class venue, but more importantly it is the next piece of the puzzle in deservedly giving Tasmanians an AFL team to call their own,” Reeves said.

“Given Hawthorn’s ties to Tasmania, we know first-hand the amount of work that has been put in to secure a 19th license and intimately understand the benefits it will provide the state.”

Hawthorn President Andy Gowers celebrated the significant announcement, saying the club hoped to build upon its work in Tasmania.

“We have a strong desire to continue our commitment in Tasmania in a way that complements the future team and the entire state,” Gowers said.

“Having established such a powerful relationship with the people of Tasmania over the past two decades, we know the impact the club can have going forward – whether that’s through junior football, community initiatives or curriculum-aligned school programs.”