MELBOURNE will again play two home games in the Northern Territory in 2017.

The AFL confirmed on Tuesday that the Demons would host Gold Coast as a twilight game at TIO Traegar Park in Alice Springs on Saturday, May 27 as part of the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round in round 10.

They will then head to Darwin for a round 17 clash with Adelaide at TIO Stadium on Saturday July 15.

AFL general manager clubs and operations Travis Auld said the announcement confirmed the AFL would be the only major sporting competition to play matches in every state and territory next year.

"AFL is a central part of the sporting, cultural and tourism life of the Northern Territory," Auld said.

"Participation rates in our game within the NT are the highest for any state or territory in the country and NT has continued to produce champion players at the very top end of our competition despite their smaller population base. Both games will again be strongly supported."

The Demons, who have a longstanding partnership agreement with the Northern Territory government, will be playing in Alice Springs for the fourth straight year. Until now, they have only played Port Adelaide there for a 0-3 record.

Gold Coast will be taking the road well travelled in 2017, having already been confirmed as the 'away' team to the Western Bulldogs in Cairns in round 18. The Suns are also tipped to play Port Adelaide next year in the first AFL game to be played for premiership points in China.

Melbourne has played a match in Darwin for the past seven seasons, for a 3-4 record. The Demons defeated Fremantle by 32 points there last year.

The Crows have never played a match for premiership points in Darwin, but are developing a supporter base in the Top End due to their team in the new AFL Women's competition, which they established in partnership with AFL Northern Territory.

The AFL will unveil the full 2017 premiership season fixture on Thursday.