sport
Where to Watch the AFL Finals in Tasmania: Club Venues and Community Viewing Spots
A guide to the best places around Tasmania to watch AFL finals footy with fellow supporters, from club rooms to community halls.
How we reported this
AFL finals time is one of the great shared experiences in Tasmanian life. The island does not have a single allegiance; instead, Tasmanians support teams from across the mainland and gather in clubs, pubs and community venues to watch the action together. The atmosphere in a well-packed room during a close September final is hard to beat anywhere in the country, and the options for finding that experience across the state are excellent.
AFL clubs and community sporting clubs are the most natural gathering places during finals season. Many football clubs in Hobart and Launceston open their club rooms on finals weekends specifically to bring the community together, with large screens set up and a canteen or bar operating for members and guests. These settings have a warm, community feel that is quite different from watching at a commercial venue, and they are almost always family-friendly. Contact your nearest football club or check their social media pages to find out what they have planned each finals weekend.
RSL clubs and sporting clubs with licensed premises often show AFL finals on large screens throughout September, and many run membership nights or community events around the bigger games. These venues tend to be welcoming to both committed fans and casual viewers who simply want to be part of the occasion. The experience of watching a grand final with a room full of passionate supporters, regardless of which teams are playing, carries its own particular energy.
For those who prefer watching from home, the AFL grand final and most finals matches are broadcast free-to-air on Channel 7, meaning no subscription is required. Streaming is available through the AFL website and the 7plus app. The JackJumpers NBL season also overlaps with the AFL finals period in some years, meaning dedicated Tasmanian sports fans can enjoy both codes simultaneously during that stretch of autumn.
However you choose to watch, finals footy in September has a rhythm and ritual that Tasmania embraces fully. Whether it is a quiet night on the couch or a crowded club room with friends cheering every mark, the AFL finals remain one of the sporting highlights of the Tasmanian year, and the community venues that host viewing events are a genuine expression of how much sport matters here.
Sources: AFL Tasmania AFL