There will be three AFL games played in the Territory next season, two in Darwin and one in Alice Springs, while the NT Government has not said how much it will be paying to bring the teams here, however official figures showed taxpayers shelled out $800,000 per game in 2018.

In a statement AFL NT head Sam Gibson said the Gold Coast Suns will play the Western Bulldogs at Marrara Oval, on Saturday, May 27, and the Suns would play the Adelaide Crows at Marrara Oval, the following Saturday.

While the Melbourne Demons will take on the GWS Giants at Traeger Park in Alice Springs on either July 1 or 2, with the exact day to be announced at an undetermined later date.

The NT Government pays to have both teams come to play in the Territory but has not said how much it cost. In a 2016 press release then-CLP Chief Minister Adam Giles announced the government would pay $1.6 million each year to play one game in Darwin and one game in Alice Springs, in a deal covering 2011, 2017, for a total cost of $3.2 million.

The AFL is the richest sporting organisation in the country with a declared revenue of $738.1 million in the COVID-19 effected year of 2021.

“With seven players with links to the Northern Territory now on our AFL list and an ever-growing number of players from the region coming through our development pathways, two matches at TIO Stadium provides the opportunity for young Territorians to aspire to follow in their footsteps,” Gold Coast Suns chief executive officer Mark Evans said in a statement.

“With our playing squad to remain in Darwin in-between fixtures, we’re looking forward to the opportunity to engage with the local community away from the football field as well.”

While Melbourne Demons chief executive officer Gary Pert said the team looked forward to travelling to Alice Springs.

“We see TIO Traeger Park as a home ground away from home, while it also provides us with a great opportunity to connect with the local community and bring the AFL competition to the heart of the nation,” he said.

Tickets for the games will be available in the new year.