Australian rules football Australian rules football has been played in
Tasmania since the late 1860s. It draws the largest audience for any
football code in the state. A 2018 study of internet traffic showed that 79% of Tasmanians are interested in
Australian rules football, the highest rate in the country. Tasmania once held the highest participation rate for men aged 5–39 years in Australia, with 22% involvement in 2005. The state has a storied history in
interstate matches, having competed vigorously since its inaugural colonial match in 1884, fostering a strong rivalry with Victoria. Tasmania played its last competitive interstate match in the 1990
State of Origin series, culminating in a notable victory over Victoria at
North Hobart Oval with an attendance of 18,651 patrons. Tasmania has produced several notable
Australian Football League (AFL) players who have made significant contributions to the sport, including
Peter Hudson,
Roy Cazaly,
Darrel Baldock,
Alastair Lynch,
Matthew Richardson and
Ian Stewart. Prominent contemporary players include
Jack Riewoldt,
Jeremy Howe,
Toby Nankervis and
Hugh Greenwood. The primary football competitions in Tasmania are the statewide
Tasmanian Football League (TFL), which has been active intermittently since 1879, and its associated regional leagues: the
Southern Football League and the
Northern Tasmanian Football League. Following the announcement of the island's first AFL club, the
Tasmania Football Club in 2023, the TFL will conclude its final season in 2024, followed by a major restructure of Tasmanian community football from 2025. This restructuring aligns with AFL Tasmania's commitment to strong football pathways and coincides with the Tasmania Football Club's entry into the AFL in 2028.
TFL competition The Tasmanian Football League (TFL), established in 1879, is one of Australia's oldest football competitions. It has fostered intense rivalries and produced many skilled players over the years. Notable teams include
North Hobart,
Glenorchy,
Clarence, and
Launceston. The league has seen significant crowds, with the
1979 Grand Final attracting over 24,968 spectators. In 2025, new Premier League divisions in the state's South, North, and North West will replace the TSL.
Brighton Football Club will join five Southern TSL clubs (Clarence, Glenorchy,
Kingborough,
Lauderdale, and North Hobart) to form a six-team Southern Premier League for Men and Women. The Northern Premier League's composition is still being determined.
St Kilda (2001–2006),
Hawthorn (2001–),
North Melbourne (2012–2025), and
Richmond (2026-) all having hosted home games in the state at various times.
VFL team From 2001 to 2008, a representative club, the
Tasmanian Devils, competed in the
Victorian Football League (VFL), drawing crowds exceeding 10,000 on two occasions. Following a hiatus of eight years, at the end of the 2008 season AFL Tasmania decided to withdraw the Devils from the VFL in favour of restarting the statewide TFL.
AFL team The
Tasmania Football Club is set to join the national Australian Football League from the 2028 season, following a formal announcement was made by
Gillon McLachlan at the
North Hobart Oval on 3 May 2023. Former
Richmond Tigers player
Brendon Gale was named as the club's inaugural chief executive in May 2024.
Gaelic football Based in Hobart, the
Tasmanian Gaelic Football and Hurling Association run a seven-a-side Gaelic Football League.
Rugby league The
Tasmanian Rugby League reestablished a summer competition in 2009.
Rugby union The
Tasmanian Rugby Union Statewide League consists of 10 Teams and was first established in 1933. The senior men's state representative side for the Tasmanian Rugby Union is the
Tasmanian Jack Jumpers. Rugby union in Tasmania consists of the following divisions : Men's, Women's, Junior Under 18, Junior Under 16, Juniors Under 14.
Soccer vs
Adelaide United at
Aurora Stadium, Launceston, 2007 The
Football Federation Tasmania (FFT) is the governing body for association football (soccer) in Tasmania. It oversees men's, women's, and youth competitions across the state, with the main season running in winter. FFT is also dedicated to grassroots development, organising junior leagues, coaching clinics, and community programs to increase participation and foster a love for the game. It collaborates with
Football Australia and other state federations to align with national standards and initiatives, including the National Club Accreditation Scheme. Since 2013, the highest level of male competition has been the
NPL Tasmania, part of the
National Premier Leagues system nationwide. This league includes teams from all major Tasmanian regions. Each season's champion advances to the national NPL finals series to compete against other state winners. Below the NPL, the
Southern Championship and the
Northern Championship serve as key developmental leagues. Tasmania has several notable soccer grounds that host a range of competitions, from local leagues to higher-level matches.
North Hobart Oval, known primarily for
Australian rules football, also accommodates soccer games.
KGV Park in Glenorchy is a key venue, serving as the home ground for the
Glenorchy Knights and hosting National Premier Leagues Tasmania (NPL Tasmania) matches.
Valley Road Ground in Devonport, home to the
Devonport City Strikers, is renowned for its well-maintained facilities. Darwin Football Park in Kingston hosts
Kingborough Lions United FC's matches, while Warrior Park in Warrane is the base for
Olympia Warriors FC. Lightwood Park in Blackmans Bay is also used by Kingborough Lions United FC for training and matches.
A-League bid FFT is actively pursuing the possibility of establishing an
A-League club in Tasmania to provide local players with a pathway to professional careers and to meet the strong community interest in elite football.
Touch football Touch football has a small following in Tasmania with approximately 7,500 active participants annually. Touch Football Tasmania (TFT) aims to achieve representation in Australian youth and open squads, with teams set to compete in the National Youth Championships. Challenges include delayed entry of young talent into the sport, typically starting around age 12 or 13, unlike in rugby states. TFT focuses on incremental improvement to bridge the gap with dominant northern states over the next ten years. Bec Oliver's selection in the Australian women's 27-and-over team highlights the potential for Tasmanian talent on the national stage. Local touch football associations, like the Devonport Touch Football Association and Launceston Touch Football Association (LTA), provide platforms for players to develop skills and foster a welcoming environment. ==Golf==