External links
- (in Indonesian) Official website of PSSI
- (in Indonesian) Liga Indonesia News
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| Youth competitions | |||||||||||||
| Futsal competitions |
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| Country | Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Sport | Association football |
| Promotion and relegation | Yes |
| National system | |
| Federation | Football Association of Indonesia |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Top division | Liga 1 |
| Second division | Liga 2 |
| Cup competition | |
| Association football in Indonesia | |
The Indonesian football league system is a series of league system for association football clubs in Indonesia. Since 1994, Liga Indonesia is the league competition featuring association football clubs, as a result of two existing top-flight football leagues merger: Perserikatan (amateur) and Galatama (semi professional). Liga Indonesia is managed by PSSI, the Indonesian national football federation, and operated by PT. Liga Indonesia Baru and its previous iterations (Badan Liga Indonesia from 1994–2008 and PT Liga Indonesia from 2008–2015).
There are four levels of competition in the hierarchy recently. The top three in the hierarchy are professional competitions, whereas the rest are amateur and semi-pro. [1]
Liga 1 is the first-tier of football league in Indonesia. Until 2017, it was known as Indonesian Super League. The second-tier is Liga 2, formerly Premier Division. The third-tier is Liga Nusantara, formerly Liga 3. Liga 1, Liga 2 and Liga Nusantara are professional leagues and governed by PT. Liga Indonesia Baru. [2] [3] [4] LIB also organized the youth competition, Elite Pro Academy. [4]
The only amateur league is Liga 4. Liga 4 consists of an unlimited number of amateur teams. Every province, in total 38 provinces in Indonesia, holds its own provincial league and the number of teams per province may vary. The winners of the provincial leagues will advance to the national phase.
Men's
| Level | League (s) | Division (s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liga 1 18 clubs – 3 relegations | — |
| 2 | Liga 2 26 clubs divided into 3 groups – 3 promotions, 9 relegations (20 clubs for 2025–26 onwards) | Group 1 9 clubs |
| Group 2 9 clubs | ||
| Group 3 8 clubs | ||
| 3 | Liga Nusantara 16 clubs divided into 2 groups – 3 promotions, 6 relegations (24 clubs for 2025–26 onwards) | Group 1 8 clubs |
| Group 2 8 clubs | ||
| 4 | Liga 4 unlimited number of clubs – 8 promotions | — |
| Level | Youth | Grassroots |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elite Pro Academy U20 | Soeratin Cup U17 |
| 2 | Elite Pro Academy U18 | Soeratin Cup U15 |
| 3 | Elite Pro Academy U16 | Soeratin Cup U13 |
From 1914 to 1930, Indonesia featured an amateur national football league organized by the Nederlandsch Indische Voetbal Bond (NIVB), called the Dutch East Indies city championship (DEI Championship).
Beginning in 1931, the Perserikatan was founded as a separate amateur national football league system consisting of several levels of competition. It was the first Indonesian football league competition organized by PSSI . From 1932 to 1950, the DEI Championship competition ran in conjunction with the Perserikatan as a competition for the Dutch and other European players, while the Tiong Hoa Championship was held for players of Chinese descent.
In 1979/80, a semi-professional league was founded, namely Galatama (The Premier League), which consisted of only one level of competition (except 1983 and 1990 in which it involved 2 divisions). Therefore, since 1979, both Galatama and Perserikatan were existed and had their own league systems.
Level | League/Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Perserikatan | Galatama | ||||||||||||||||
2 | Perserikatan First Division (since 1978) | Galatama First Division (1980, 1983 & 1990 only) | ||||||||||||||||
3 | Perserikatan Second Division (since 1987) | |||||||||||||||||
In 1994, PSSI merged both competitions into a new competition system, namely the Liga Indonesia. All clubs from both top level leagues were merged into the Liga Indonesia Premier Division, the new system's top-flight league. Furthermore, since Galatama did not have lower-level leagues, Liga Indonesia's lower leagues took all clubs from the same level in Perserikatan. PSSI formed Badan Liga Indonesia to operate the new Liga Indonesia. [2] [3] [4]
Level | League/Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Liga Indonesia Premier Division | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Liga Indonesia First Division | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Liga Indonesia Second Division | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Liga Indonesia Third Division (since 2005) | |||||||||||||||||
In 2008, PSSI created a new level, the Indonesia Super League (ISL), as the system's new top-flight league. Hence, the Premier Division was then relegated to the second and so on. This new league was created to introduce full professionalism in Indonesian football. PSSI also formed PT Liga Indonesia to operate and organize the new league structure as a continuation of Badan Liga Indonesia. [4]
In parallel with this league, U-21 teams from each participating ISL clubs compete in the ISL U-21.
Level | League/Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Indonesia Super League | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Liga Indonesia Premier Division | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Liga Indonesia First Division | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Liga Indonesia Second Division | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Liga Indonesia Third Division | |||||||||||||||||
In 2011, PSSI replaced the ISL with the Indonesian Premier League (IPL) under a new league operator, PT Liga Prima Indonesia Sportindo (LPIS). [4]
Level | League/Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Indonesian Premier League | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Liga Indonesia Premier Division | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Liga Indonesia First Division | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Liga Indonesia Second Division | |||||||||||||||||
5 | Liga Indonesia Third Division | |||||||||||||||||
After the extraordinary congress on 17 March 2013, Premier League and Super League are in PSSI supervision prior to incorporation in 2014 under the name of Indonesia Super League. Before that the two leagues were still running, respectively. [5]
In 2014, PSSI divided into four level leagues competition include Super League, Premier Division, First Division and Amateur League/Province League called Liga Nusantara.
Level | League/Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Indonesia Super League | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Liga Indonesia Premier Division | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Liga Indonesia First Division | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Liga Nusantara | |||||||||||||||||
Started in 2015 league planned just divided into three level leagues competition include Super League, Premier Division and Liga Nusantara, after first division merged with Liga Nusantara.
Level | League/Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Indonesia Super League | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Liga Indonesia Premier Division | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Liga Nusantara | |||||||||||||||||
However, the league season in 2015 was paused at first due to threats of sanctions from Badan Olahraga Profesional Indonesia (BOPI) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports on PSSI and PT LI because two ISL clubs, Arema and Persebaya, didn't get BOPI recommendations. [6] This got FIFA's attention who threatened to ban Indonesian football altogether due to external meddling from BOPI and the Ministry in PSSI affairs. [7] After the Ministry outright froze PSSI out from organizing football competitions in Indonesia, FIFA sanctioned PSSI in 30 May 2015 hence the competition was then discontinued. [4] [8] PT Liga Indonesia was then closed by PSSI in 2016. [4]
In 20 January 2017, PSSI replaced the three previous leagues (Super League, Premier Division and Liga Nusantara) with three new leagues, namely the Liga 1, Liga 2 and Liga 3. [4] [9] PSSI formed PT. Liga Indonesia Baru as the new league operator for Liga 1 and Liga 2 while Liga 3 is under PSSI and its local branches. [4] [10]
Level | League/Division | |||||||||||||||||
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1 | Liga 1 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Liga 2 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Liga 3 | |||||||||||||||||
In 2024, PSSI plans to create a new level, namely the Liga 4 as the fourth division level that will be operated by PSSI and its local branches. In addition, PSSI announced that Liga 3 will be renamed to Liga Nusantara and will be operated by PT. Liga Indonesia Baru, which also operates Liga 1 and Liga 2. [11]
Level | League/Division | |||||||||||||||||
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1 | Liga 1 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Liga 2 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Liga Nusantara | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Liga 4 | |||||||||||||||||
From the 1994–1995 to 2004–2005 season, Liga Indonesia's structure changed almost every year. For some seasons, there were two divisions within the top flight; for others, there were three. The number of clubs in the top flight wavered from 18–28, and seasons would last from 34–38 games. The top four clubs in each division qualified for a group stage "Final Eight Championship Playoff." Winners of the group faced off for the championship.
During the 2004–2005 season, 18 clubs comprised the Indonesian top flight. A season lasted 34 games, in which each club played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The three teams at the bottom of the table are relegated into Division Satu, the second level of the Indonesian league system, while the three teams of Division Satu that won promotion replace them. The top two finishers in the league qualify for the AFC Champions League.
Starting with the 2003–2004 season, the championship was decided a double round-robin league system involving the top clubs of each division. Beginning with the 2005–2006 season, 28 clubs will comprise Liga Indonesia. Clubs compete in two divisions of 14 clubs each. Each club plays against each other on a home-and-away basis.
The league's popularity has grown so much that the 2006–2007 season will see another big expansion of the league from 28 to 36 clubs with both divisions comprising 18 clubs each.
In 2008, 18 top ranked clubs in the previous Premier Division were 'promoted' to a new highest level of competition, the Indonesia Super League, and the rest stayed in the same division. The PSSI examined those 18 clubs for their readiness to join the ISL, considering many aspects, like the stadium, financial condition and other requirements for full professional football clubs. [12]
Annual cup tournaments
Annual super cup tournaments
Break season tournaments
| Season | Premier Division | First Division | Second Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–95 | Persib Bandung | Persikab Bandung | Persikabo Bogor |
| 1995–96 | Bandung Raya | PSP Padang | Persikota Tangerang |
| 1996–97 | Persebaya Surabaya | Persikota Tangerang | Persipal Palu |
| 1997–98 | Competition abandoned due to political conditions | ||
| 1998–99 | PSIS Semarang | PSPS Riau | PS Palembang |
| 1999–2000 | PSM Makassar | Persita Tangerang | Persik Kediri |
| 2001 | Persija Jakarta | PSIS Semarang | Persela Lamongan |
| 2002 | Petrokimia Putra | Persik Kediri | Persid Jember |
| 2003 | Persik Kediri | Persebaya Surabaya | Persekabpas Pasuruan |
| 2004 | Persebaya Surabaya | Arema | Persibo Bojonegoro |
| Season | Premier Division | First Division | Second Division | Third Division |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Persipura Jayapura | PSIM Yogyakarta | Persiku Kudus | PSIR Rembang |
| 2006 | Persik Kediri | Persebaya Surabaya | PSIR Rembang | Perseta Tulungagung |
| 2007–08 | Sriwijaya | Persibo Bojonegoro | Persires Rengat | Persem Mojokerto |
| Season | Indonesia Super League | Premier Division | First Division | Second Division | Third Division |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | Persipura Jayapura | Persisam Putra Samarinda | PS Mojokerto Putra | PS Barito Putera | Persikotas Tasikmalaya |
| 2009–10 | Arema Indonesia | Persibo Bojonegoro | Persekam Metro | Persikasi Bekasi | Persewar Waropen |
| 2010–11 | Persipura Jayapura | Persiba Bantul | PSBS Biak Numfor | Persibangga Purbalingga | MBU Sidoarjo |
| Season | Indonesia Super League | Premier Division | First Division | Second Division | Third Division |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12 | Sriwijaya | Barito Putera | Perseka Kaimana | Persinab Nabire | Jember United |
| 2013 | Persipura Jayapura | Persebaya DU (Bhayangkara FC) | PS Kwarta Deli Serdang | Cilegon United | Perseba Bangkalan |
| Season | Indonesia Premier League | Premier Division | First Division | Second Division | Third Division |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12 | Semen Padang FC | Persepar (Kalteng Putra) | Persekap Pasuruan | Nusaina FC | Persiga Trenggalek |
| 2013 | No Award Given | PSS Sleman | No Competition | ||
| Season | Indonesia Super League | Premier Division | First Division | Nusantara League |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Persib Bandung | Pusamania Borneo | Cilegon United | Persatu Tuban |
| Season | Indonesia Super League | Premier Division | Nusantara League |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Competition abandoned due to FIFA suspension | ||
| 2016 | No competition due to FIFA suspension (Indonesia Soccer Championship was organized, but was not considered an official league) | ||
| ISC A | ISC B | ISC Nusantara League | |
| Persipura Jayapura | PSCS Cilacap | Perseden Denpasar | |
| Season | Liga 1 | Liga 2 | Liga 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Bhayangkara | Persebaya Surabaya | Blitar United |
| 2018 | Persija Jakarta | PSS Sleman | Persik Kediri |
| 2019 | Bali United | Persik Kediri | Persijap Jepara |
| 2020 | Competition abandoned due to COVID-19 pandemic | ||
| 2021–22 | Bali United | Persis Solo | Karo United |
| 2022–23 | PSM Makassar | Competition abandoned | |
| 2023–24 | Persib Bandung | PSBS Biak | Adhyaksa Farmel F.C. |
| National teams |
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| Club competitions |
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| International tournaments | |||||||||||||
| Youth competitions | |||||||||||||
| Futsal competitions |
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| Related | |||||||||||||
The Football Association of Indonesia is the governing body of football in Indonesia. It was founded on 19 April 1930. The PSSI joined FIFA in 1952 and the Asian Football Confederation in 1954.
Arema Football Club is an Indonesian professional football club based in Malang, East Java. The club competes in the Liga 1, the top flight of Indonesian Football. They are considered one of the best and most successful football clubs in the country, and are nicknamed "Singo Edan".
Persatuan Sepakbola Indonesia Semarang, commonly known by its abbreviation PSIS is an Indonesian professional football club based in Semarang, Central Java. The club play their home matches at the Jatidiri Stadium. They currently compete in Liga 1, the top flight of Indonesian football.
Perserikatan Sepakbola Sleman, or mostly known through its abbreviation PSS, is an Indonesian professional football club based in Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. The club competes in the Liga 1, the top-tier of Indonesian football, after winning promotion from Liga 2 in 2018. The club dons the nickname Super Elang Jawa.
Persatuan Sepakbola Surabaya, commonly known as Persebaya Surabaya or simply Persebaya, is an Indonesian professional football club based in Surabaya, East Java. The club currently plays in the Liga 1, the top flight of Indonesian football. Persebaya Surabaya is regarded as one of the most iconic and successful teams in the country, winning numerous Indonesian League titles and tournaments.
Liga 2, known as Pegadaian Liga 2 for sponsorship reasons with Pegadaian, is the second-tier of the football competition system in Indonesia, organized by Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). The competition started in 2017 after PSSI changed the previous competition Liga Indonesia Premier Division.
Perserikatan was the national amateur football competitions in Indonesia held between 1931 and 1994 before the formation of Liga Indonesia, organized by the PSSI, the Indonesian football federation. The competition involved hundreds clubs in Indonesia and was divided into several levels.
Liga Sepak Bola Utama, commonly known by its acronym Galatama, was a semi professional football league in Indonesia, established in 1979 by the Indonesian Football Association, PSSI. Prior to the establishment of the competition, an amateur football league named Perserikatan had existed since 1931. Both Perserikatan and Galatama existed and run in parallel until 1994 when they were both merged to form a new, unified league called Liga Indonesia.
The Indonesian Community Shield was a pre-season football competition held the week before the season begins in Indonesia every year. It was contested by the winners of the Indonesia Super League/Indonesian Premier League and Piala Indonesia in the previous season, as a curtain raiser to the new season. If the same team wins both Indonesian League and Piala Indonesia, then the Community Shield is contested by the League winners and the Piala Indonesia runners-up.
Persatuan Sepakbola Denpasar, commonly known as Perseden Denpasar is an Indonesian football club located in Denpasar, Bali. The team competes in Liga 4, the lowest tier of the Indonesian football league system.
Liga Nusantara, known as PNM Liga Nusantara for sponsorship reasons with PNM, is the third-tier of the football competition system in Indonesia, organized by Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). The competition started in 2014 after PSSI merged the previous competitions, Liga Indonesia Second Division and Liga Indonesia Third Division. The competition is usually divided into several groups because of factors in terms of geography and number of participants.
The 2015 Liga Indonesia Premier Division season was the 20th edition of Liga Indonesia Premier Division and the seventh edition as a second-tier competition.
Putra Samarinda Football Club was an Indonesian football club located in Samarinda, East Kalimantan. Nicknamed Pesut Mahakam, they won the Liga Indonesia Premier Division title in the 2008–09 season.
Indonesia Soccer Championship, also known as Torabika Soccer Championship for sponsorship reasons, was a temporary professional football competition system in Indonesia, replacing the temporarily-suspended Indonesia League. It only ran for a year in 2016.
Liga 1, also known as BRI Liga 1 for sponsorship reasons with Bank Rakyat Indonesia, is the men's top professional football division of the Indonesian football league system. Administered by the PT Liga Indonesia Baru, Liga 1 is contested by 18 clubs and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Liga 2.
PT Liga Indonesia Baru or shortened as LIB, is an Indonesian company created by the Indonesian Football Federation, PSSI, to operate and organize Indonesian football competitions, namely Liga 1, Liga 2, Liga 3 and Elite Pro Academy. The company was formed to replace PT Liga Indonesia which used to be the league operator for PSSI from 2009 until 2015.
Liga Indonesia Premier Division was the second-tier of the football competition system in Indonesia, organized by PSSI. The competition started in 1994 as a top-tier division in the Indonesian football league system. Prior to the formation of Indonesia Super League in 2008, the Premier Division was the Indonesian top-flight football league. Along with Indonesia Super League, Premier Division is a fully professional competition. The competition is usually divided into several groups because of factors in terms of geography and number of participants.
Liga 4 is the fourth-tier of the football competition system in Indonesia, and the only amateur league football competition in Indonesia. The competition is organized by Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) and the first season starts in 2024.
