THE AFL has formally completed its purchase of Etihad Stadium.

Documents for the agreement were signed in October but the completion of financial transfers occurred on Wednesday.

Buying the stadium will likely be beneficial for tenants of the Docklands-based ground, with the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and North Melbourne looming as big winners. Essendon and Carlton should also be better off, although those teams also host games at the MCG.

The AFL had been due to take ownership of Etihad Stadium in 2025 for $30 but opted to buy it earlier.