To support their transition, the Devils have been granted special list rules, draft concessions, and a $5 million sign-on bonus outside the salary cap, aimed at attracting star players and ensuring competitive viability.

The Tasmania Devils are set to join the AFL in 2028 as the league's 19th club, with significant concessions from the AFL to facilitate their entry, including a number one draft pick in 2027 and expanded list access.

The team can pre-list 17-year-old players over two years, including Tasmanian prospects who can bypass drafts to play in the state league, and has access to four mini-draft selections for future trades.

The club will initially have an expanded list of up to 48 players, with provisions for additional roster spots, and will develop a Tasmanian Academy to focus on local talent development.

Priority access is granted to Tasmanian prospects through a model similar to the Northern Academy, allowing pre-listing of eligible players for up to four years, with ongoing review.

To attract high-profile players, the AFL provides a $5 million sign-on bonus outside the salary cap, with a maximum of $3 million per season, aimed at signing up to 18 out-of-contract players during the first two years.

The Devils have already signed their first VFL player, Jye Menzie, and will compete in the VFL starting in 2026 to bolster their player development.

The Devils have been allocated seven first-round draft picks in the 2027 National Draft, including picks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13, with some requiring trade arrangements, and additional picks in subsequent years.

The success of the club’s development is partly dependent on the approval of a new roofed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart, which is currently pending a parliamentary vote.

A new father-son eligibility rule has been introduced, allowing sons of Tasmanian-born AFL players with 100 AFL games to be eligible for the Devils, potentially involving players like the Riewoldts.

The club can also access players who previously nominated for the draft but were not selected, as well as father-son prospects with Tasmanian fathers who played at least 100 AFL games.

The AFL is also reviewing changes to the bidding system for the 2026 draft, including caps on matching bids and points requirements, following a review of the 2025 draft.