Richmond, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs have agreed to play two home matches each over the next three AFL seasons in the Northern Territory.

The AFL on Monday announced a new deal for 10 home-and-away games to be played in the Northern Territory over the next five years.

The Bulldogs and Melbourne will play one home match each in Darwin next season against Port Adelaide, and one more in either 2011 or 2012.

Richmond will host a match there in 2011 and 2012, also against Port.

The AFL said the 2013 and 2014 fixtures to be played in Darwin would be determined after the introduction of the planned new Gold Coast and Western Sydney franchises.

"The club is excited about the opportunity to further increase our presence in the Northern Territory," Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said.

"We have been working with the local communities in the area for some time, and we will be able to continue our long-term commitment by playing home-and-away matches in the region."

The Western Bulldogs have had a 10-year association with the Northern Territory, and have been playing home-and-away matches in the region since 2004.

Melbourne have three Territorians in their side.

The exciting Liam Jurrah hails from Yuendumu in central Australia, Aaron Davey from Darwin, and small forward Austin Wonaeamirri from the Tiwi Islands.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the move was part of the league's commitment to a national competition.

NT chief minister Paul Henderson said the $8 million deal would include $2 million in infrastructure upgrades to both Darwin's TIO Stadium and Traeger Park in Alice Springs, which is set to host pre-season matches as part of the deal.

Port Adelaide were clearly delighted to have secured at least six games in Darwin without losing any of their 11 scheduled home games per season in Adelaide.

The Power's links to the Northern Territory are strong, and are likely to increase via the northern expansion of a successful series of community programs.

"This is something our club has really actively pursued over the last six months and we are very pleased to be part of," said chief executive Mark Haysman.

"The Northern Territory expansion is one part of the club's long-term business strategy and it's great to see it begin to come to fruition.

"We also see South Australia and the Northern Territory as sharing a good business fit, with our common concentration on defence, mining and export industries, so we will be looking at those opportunities as well."

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