Liga Nusantara

Last updated
Liga Nusantara
Organising body PSSI (2014–2024)
I-League (2024–present)
Founded1994;31 years ago (1994)
(as Divisi Dua Liga Indonesia in 3rd tier)
2008;17 years ago (2008)
(as Divisi Satu Liga Indonesia in 3rd tier)
2014;11 years ago (2014)
(as Liga Nusantara in 4th tier)
2016;9 years ago (2016)
(as ISC Liga Nusantara)
(Unofficial Competition)
2017;8 years ago (2017)
(as Liga 3)
2024;1 year ago (2024)
(as Liga Nusantara in 3rd tier)
CountryIndonesia
Confederation AFC
Number of clubs 24
Level on pyramid 3
Promotion to Championship
Relegation to Liga 4
Domestic cup(s) Piala Indonesia
Current champions Sumut United
1st Liga Nusantara title
2nd third-tier title
(2024–25)
Most championships Sumut United
Persik Kediri
(2 titles)
Broadcaster(s)
Sponsor(s) PNM
Website Official website
Current: 2025–26 Liga Nusantara

Liga Nusantara (English: Archipelago League), officially known as PNM Liga Nusantara for sponsorship reasons, is the third-tier of the football competition system in Indonesia, organized by the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). [1] The competition started in 2014 after PSSI merged the previous competitions, Liga Indonesia Second Division and Liga Indonesia Third Division. The competition was previously organized in two phases, with the provincial phase operated by PSSI Provincial Associations, where each province held its own regional competition, followed by the national phase operated by PSSI, where the top teams from each province competed at the national level.

Contents

Starting from the 2024–25 season, the competition is organized on a national level with teams divided into several groups based on geographical factors and is now operated by I-League.

History

The competition was established after Liga Indonesia Second Division and Liga Indonesia Third Division merged in 2014. Starting in 2015, the Liga Indonesia First Division was also merged with Liga Nusantara to become the third-tier level in Indonesian football system. [1] Persatu Tuban won the competition's first season. [2]

In 2017, Liga Nusantara was renamed to Liga 3, along with Indonesian Super League and Indonesian Premier Division which were renamed to Liga 1 and Liga 2, respectively. [3]

In 2024, Liga 3 was renamed back to the Liga Nusantara, along with the establishment of Liga 4 as fourth-tier level. Liga Nusantara was elevated to a semi-professional level after previously being at the amateur level. [4]

Format

Old format

Provincial phase

Each province held a provincial phase, they were followed by amateur clubs without a limit of participants with different competition formats, the difference in the format was due to the different number of participants in each province. Furthermore, the teams that qualified from the provincial phase competed in national phase.

National phase

A total of 80 teams entered this phase.

  • First round: 80 teams were divided into sixteen groups of 5. Each group was played on a home tournament basis. Winner and runner-up of each group advanced to the second round.
  • Second round: 32 teams which were the winners and runners-up from each group of the first round. They were divided into eight groups of 4 and each winner and runner-up advanced to the third round.
  • Third round: 16 teams were divided into two groups. Each group was played on a home tournament basis. Same as previous round, the winner and runner-up of each group advanced to the fourth round.
  • Fourth round: 8 teams were divided into two groups. The three best teams of each group were promoted to the Liga 2. The winner of each group also advanced to the final.
  • Final: The 2 group winners from the fourth round played in the final match. The final was played as a single match.

New format

2024–25 season

The league format was announced on 7 November 2024. There was no provincial or national phase. Instead, there were four rounds: [5]

  • Regular round: 16 teams were divided into two group of eight, with the round being played in a centralized format of double round-robin matches. The top three teams of each group qualified for the championship round, while the remaining teams qualified for the relegation play-offs.
  • Relegation play-offs: 10 teams were divided into two groups of five teams, with the round being played in a centralized format of single round-robin matches. The bottom three teams of each group were relegated to the 2025–26 Liga 4.
  • Championship round: 6 teams were divided into two groups of three teams, with the round being played in home-and-away round-robin matches. The group winners advanced to the final and promoted to the 2025–26 Liga 2. The group runners-up entered to the promotion play-off.
  • Promotion play-off & Final: The play-off and final were played as a single match. If tied after regulation time, it went to extra time and a penalty shoot-out to decide the winning team if necessary. The winner of the play-off match was promoted to the 2025–26 Liga 2, while the winner of the final match was crowned as champions.

2025–26 season

To be announced.

Teams

Current participating teams

The following 24 clubs will compete in the Liga Nusantara during 2025–26 season.

TeamLocation2024–25 positionYear joinedSeasons in
LN		First season in
D3		Seasons in
D3		Current spell in
D3		Last spell in
CH		Former namesOther leagues
Batavia South Jakarta 3rd in NP R4 Group B (Liga 4)20178201782025–———
Dejan Depok 3rd in RL Group I (Liga 2)2022–2332022–2332025–2024–2025——
Gresik United Gresik 4th in RL Group J (Liga 2)20064201942025–2022–2025——
Nusantara Lampung Bandar Lampung 3rd in RL Group H (Liga 2)202122021–2222025–2022–2025 [Note NUS] —
Pekanbaru Pekanbaru 2nd in NP R4 Group B (Liga 4)2024–2512025–2612025–———
Persebata Lembata 2nd in NP R4 Group A (Liga 4)19998201782025–———
Perseden Denpasar 3rd in NP R4 Group A (Liga 4)1994–9582013122025–—— [u 1]
Persekabpas Pasuruan 3rd in CH Group X1994–9592009–10162017–2008–2009— [b 1]
Perserang Serang 2nd in RL Group K1994–9522011–1262024–2015–2024— [b 1]
Persewar Waropen 5th in RL Group J (Liga 2)200532011–1282025–2019–2025— [b 1]
Persiba Bantul Bantul 1st in RL Group J1994–958201882018–2015–2017——
Persibo Bojonegoro Relegation play-off loser (Liga 2)20028201782025–2024–2025——
Persika Karanganyar Karanganyar NP Runner-up (Liga 4)200642021–2242025–———
Persikabo 1973 Bogor 4th in RL Group I (Liga 2)201612025–2612025–2024–2025 [Note PBO] —
Persikota Tangerang 4th in RL Group H (Liga 2)1994–9582014112025–2024–2025— [u 1]
Persikutim United East Kutai 3rd in CH Group Y20188201882018–— [Note KTM] —
Persipa Pati 4th in RL Group K (Liga 2)1994–9562010122025–2022–2025— [b 1] [u 1]
Persitara North Jakarta 4th in NP R4 Group A (Liga 4)1994–9582015102025–2010–2014——
PSDS Deli Serdang 2nd in RL Group J1994–9572011–12122024–2022–2024——
PSGC Ciamis Promotion play-off loser1994–9572011–1292020–2019— [b 1]
RANS Nusantara Batu 5th in RL Group K (Liga 2)20132201422025–2024–2025 [Note RNS] —
Sang Maestro Persinab Nabire 4th in NP R4 Group B (Liga 4)20187201872025–— [Note NBR] —
Tri Brata Rafflesia Bengkulu NP Champions (Liga 4)2021—2242021–2242025–———
Waanal Brothers Mimika 1st in RL Group K2022–2342022–2342022–———
Recently relegated from Championship
Recently promoted from Liga 4
Former names
  1. ^
    Nusantara Lampung (NUS): previously as Mataram Utama.
  2. ^
    Persikabo 1973 (PBO): previously as PS TNI.
  3. ^
    Persikutim United (KTM): previously as Sumbersari FC.
  4. ^
    RANS Nusantara (RNS): previously as Cilegon United.
  5. ^
    Sang Maestro Persinab (NBR): previously as Sang Maestro.
Breakaway league
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 2011–12 First Division (LPIS)
Unofficial league
  1. 1 2 3 2016 ISC Liga Nusantara

Former teams

The following clubs competed in the Liga Nusantara since 2024–25 season, but are not competing in the 2025–26 season.

TeamLocationYear joinedSeasons in LNFirst season in
D3		Seasons in
D3		Last spell in
D3		Current leagueFormer names
757 Kepri Jaya Batam 2008–097201372018–2025Liga 4 [Note 757]
Kalteng Putra Palangka Raya 200112008–0942024–2025——
Kendal Tornado Kendal 20187201872018–2025Championship [Note TRD]
Persiba Balikpapan Balikpapan 1994–9512024–2512024–2025Championship—
Persikab Bandung 1994–956201682024–2025Liga 4—
Persikad Depok 20194201942024–2025Championship [Note PKD]
Persipani Paniai 1994–9582011–12132011–2025Liga 4—
Persipasi Bekasi 20178201782017–2025Liga 4 [Note PSI]
PSCS Cilacap 1994–9522009–1032024–2025Liga 4—
PSM Madiun Madiun 1994–957201872018–2025Liga 4—
Sulut United Manado 20172201822024–2025— [Note SUL]
Recently promoted to Championship
Recently relegated to Liga 4
Former names
  1. ^
    757 Kepri Jaya (757): previously as Bintang Jaya Asahan.
  2. ^
    Kendal Tornado (TRD): previously as Tornado Pekanbaru.
  3. ^
    Persikad (PKD): previously as Karo United .
  4. ^
    Persipasi (PSI): previously as Patriot Candrabhaga.
  5. ^
    Sulut United (SUL): previously as Bogor Football Club.

Maps

Java location map plain.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Black pog.svg
Jakarta
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
Blue pog.svg
TransparentPlaceholder.png
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Locations of teams in the 2025–26 Liga Nusantara from Java region.
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Locations of teams in the 2025–26 Liga Nusantara from Jakarta.

Championship history

Old format

One-off finals

SeasonLeague nameChampionsScoreRunners-up
2014 Liga Nusantara Persatu Tuban 2–1 Laga
2015Season abandoned due to FIFA suspension of Indonesia
2017 Liga 3 Blitar United 2–1 Persik Kendal
2019 Persijap Jepara 3–1 PSKC Cimahi
2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
2021–22 Karo United 3–3 (4–2 p) Putra Delta Sidoarjo
2022–23 Season abandoned after Kanjuruhan Stadium disaster
2023–24 Adhyaksa Farmel 3–2 ( a.e.t. ) Persibo Bojonegoro

Two-legged final

SeasonLeague nameHome teamScoreAway team
2018 Liga 3 Persik Kediri 3–1 PSCS Cilacap
PSCS Cilacap 1–0 Persik Kediri
Persik Kediri won 3–2 on aggregate

New format

SeasonLeague nameChampionsScoreRunners-up
2024–25 Liga Nusantara Sumut United 4–1 Tornado

    Promotion history

    Old format

    SeasonPromoted teamsTotal
    2014
    		6
    2017
    		3
    2018
    		6
    2019
    		6
    2021–22
    		8
    2023–24
    		6

    New format

    SeasonChampionsRunners-upThird place
    2024–25 Sumut United Tornado Persiba Balikpapan

    Relegation history

    SeasonRelegated teamsTotal
    2024–25
    		8

    Awards

    Best players

    SeasonPlayerClub
    2014 Flag of Indonesia.svg Edi Winarno [6] Persatu Tuban
    2017 Flag of Indonesia.svg Assanur Rijal Aceh United
    2018 Flag of Indonesia.svg Galih Akbar Persik Kediri
    2019 Flag of Indonesia.svg Rizki Hidayat Persijap Jepara
    2021–22 Flag of Indonesia.svg Rian Ramadan Karo United
    2023–24 Flag of Indonesia.svg Sehabudin Ahmad Adhyaksa Farmel
    2024–25 Flag of Indonesia.svg Yanuar Baehaki Tornado

    Top scorers

    SeasonTop scorerClubGoals
    2014 Flag of Indonesia.svg Imam Bagus Kurnia Laga 4
    2017 Flag of Indonesia.svg Arianto Aceh United 7
    2018 Flag of Indonesia.svg Septian Bagaskara Persik Kediri 21
    2019 Flag of Indonesia.svg Rikza Syawali PSKC Cimahi 9
    2021–22 Flag of Indonesia.svg Adam Malik Putra Delta Sidoarjo 11
    2023–24 Flag of Indonesia.svg Andi Sopian Dejan 9
    2024–25 Flag of Indonesia.svg Ali Mashori Persekabpas Pasuruan 14

    Fair play awards

    SeasonClub
    2018 Persik Kediri
    2019 PSKC Cimahi
    2021–22 Mataram Utama
    2023–24 Dejan
    2024–25 Not awarded

    Title sponsors

    PeriodSponsor(s)BrandRef.
    2014No sponsorLiga Nusantara–
    2017–2024Liga 3–
    2024–present PNM PNM Liga Nusantara

    See also

    References

    1. 1 2 "Mulai Tahun Ini PSSI akan Gelar Liga Nusantara". tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). 25 January 2014. Archived from the original on 29 January 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
    2. ↑ "Persatu Juarai Piala Nusantara 2014" (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
    3. ↑ "PSSI Ubah ISL Jadi Liga 1" (in Indonesian). Bola.net. 20 January 2017. Archived from the original on 22 January 2017.
    4. ↑ Purnomo, Didi Agung Eko (10 November 2024). "Liga Nusantara dan Liga 4 Resmi Dibentuk PSSI sebagai Kompetisi Baru, Ini Dia Regulasi dan Pesertanya". Solo Balapan (in Indonesian).
    5. ↑ auglandy, Niko (2024-11-09). "Liga 3 Resmi Ganti Nama Jadi Liga Nusantara: Ini Daftar Peserta, Regulasi, dan Jadwal Pertandingannya". Radar Solo (in Indonesian).
    6. ↑ "Luar Biasa! Jatim Kuasai Piala Nusantara 2014" (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
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