THE WESTERN Bulldogs will play two home-and-away season games in Darwin over the next three years as part of the AFL's new deal with the Northern Territory government.

The new arrangement will see 10 premiership matches in total played at TIO Stadium over the next five years, with the Dogs to form a rotating roster as the home side with Melbourne and Richmond for the next three seasons.

Port Adelaide will make the trip north as the away side for the six games scheduled across the next three years.

In 2010, the Bulldogs and the Demons will be the Victorian sides to make the trip across the country, with the Tigers to play their first match in Darwin the year after.

In 2013 and 2014, new franchises the Gold Coast and Western Sydney could be worked into the Top End fixture.

Club chief executive Campbell Rose said the Dogs were excited about continuing their relationship with Darwin and the Northern Territory.

"We are very excited to continue our push into the Northern Territory, a region which shares Melbourne's passion for AFL football," he said.

"The Western Bulldogs are a club on the move and it is in this spirit that we look to continue building our brand throughout Australia."

Rose said the club supported the financial benefits of the $8 million arrangement, which will see developments made at both TIO Stadium and Alice Springs' Traeger Park, for Territorians and budding footballers.

"We understand the new arrangement also involves a major upgrade to the facilities at TIO Stadium, which will be welcome additions for when we play our home games in the Territory," he said.

"This agreement is sure to benefit both AFL and local football in the Northern Territory for many years to come. 

"You only need to look at the number of quality players this region has produced to understand how important it is to our national game and we are very happy to be a part of it.

"This is all about building a national brand around the colours of the Red, White and Blue, the same colours as our national flag."

TIO will receive a new corporate area, an office fit-out and training lights on the precinct's second oval, while Traeger will benefit from new coach and media boxes. Both stadiums will be given a new permanent toilet block.

Northern Territory chief minister Paul Henderson said the arrangement was a decided positive for both the region and its people.

"Aussie Rules is the Territory's most popular sport and the Territory Government is proud to have secured more matches for AFL supporters," he said.

"This $8 million deal with the AFL is a strong vote of confidence in our ability to host AFL matches at neutral venues and will bring millions of dollars into our local economy."

The Bulldogs are the most familiar with the steamy Darwin heat, having played six home-and-away games since 2004 as well as hosting a pre-season community camp in 2008.

They played their first game in Darwin against Essendon in a pre-season match in 1999, and most recently thrashed the Power by 93 points in round 12 this year.

The Power have played the Bulldogs in the Top End four times since 2004, and have been the away side for the past two seasons.

The Demons and the Tigers have not played at TIO Stadium before.