28November 1928;97 years ago(1928-11-28), as Voetbalbond Boemipoetera (V.B.B.) 30June 1929;97 years ago(1929-06-30), as Voetbal Indonesia Jacatra (V.I.J.) May1942;84years ago(1942-05), as Persidja[1]
Persatuan Sepakbola Indonesia Jakarta (lit. 'Indonesian Football Association of Jakarta'), abbreviated as Persija (Indonesian pronunciation:[pərsidʒa]), is an Indonesian professional football club based in the Indonesian capital city of Jakarta. The club currently competes in the Indonesia Super League, the top tier of Indonesian football.
Persija Jakarta is the most successful football clubs in Indonesia with 2 Indonesian League titles and 9 Perserikatan titles. It has never been relegated or played in the lower league division since a nationwide competition started in 1930.[3] Persija is one of the founders of the Indonesian football association alongside with six other clubs.
Persija's rivalry with fellow PSSI founder Persib Bandung, referred to as the Indonesian El Clásico or Derbi Indonesia, has gone on for decades, occasionally marred by violence.[4][5]
History
Foundation and early years (1928–1937)
Persija traces its origins to Voetbalbond Indonesia Jacatra (VIJ), which was founded on 28 November 1928 as a football club for Indonesian residents of Jakarta during the period of Dutch colonial rule. The name Jacatra refers to a historical fort on the northern coast of present-day Jakarta. On 19 April 1930, VIJ joined six other Indonesian clubs in establishing the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). The club won the first PSSI-sanctioned competition in 1931. Although VIJ did not participate in the competition in 1937, it subsequently became a regular participant in the top division.
Post-independence (1950–1951)
VIJ changed its name to Persija Jakarta in 1950, five years after the Indonesian independence. In mid-1951, a club with ethnic Chinese, Dutch and Eurasian players merged with the rebranded outfit. As the Indonesia national football team in the 1950s heavily depended on Persija players, its line-ups at that time were filled by many ethnic Chinese, Dutch and Eurasian players from the Jakarta club.[6]
Amateur years (1951–1994)
After the 1945 independence, national football competitions in Indonesia centred on region-based associations of amateur clubs that received funding from the state. These associations, including Persija, played against each other in an annual tournament known as Perserikatan, which literally means union. Almost all of these associations were seen as representatives of the main ethnic group in their respective regions, flaming primordial sentiments. Multicultural Persija was the exception. Persija won six national titles in the Perserikatan years. However, its fanbase was small and less passionate compared to ethnic-based supporter groups of Persib Bandung, Persebaya Surabaya, PSM Makassar or PSMS Medan. As the Perserikatan games became popular and televised from the 1980s, the other clubs proved to be more dominant with their stronger band of supporters.
Semi-professional years (1994–2008)
Following the merger of the amateur Perserikatan and semi-professional Galatama leagues by the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) in 1994, Persija Jakarta entered the inaugural 1994–95 Liga Indonesia Premier Division. The transition proved difficult for the capital city club, which lacked the modernized corporate structure and large, consolidated fan bases enjoyed by regional rivals like Persib Bandung or Persebaya Surabaya. Consequently, during the first three seasons of the unified league, Persija consistently finished in the mid-table of the West Division, failing to qualify for the championship knockout stages.
The club's trajectory shifted decisively in late 1997 following the appointment of Sutiyoso as the Governor of Jakarta, who took an active role as the club's chief patron. Seeking to revitalize football in the capital, Sutiyoso initiated a comprehensive administrative and visual overhaul. He changed the club's primary kit color from its historical red and white to orange to forge a distinct identity built around the team's Macan Kemayoran (Kemayoran Tigers) moniker. Administratively, the club received increased financial backing and appointed Diza Rasyid Ali as team manager to aggressively recruit elite Indonesian national team players, while simultaneously establishing the official supporter group, The Jakmania, on 19 December 1997 to organize the city's fragmented football fans.
These institutional reforms rapidly translated into competitive success on the pitch. Under the tactical guidance of head coach Sofyan Hadi, Persija emerged as the dominant team during the 2001 Liga Indonesia Premier Division. After topping the West Division in the regular season, the club advanced to the final at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on 7 October 2001. Playing before a capacity crowd of approximately 60,000 spectators, Persija secured its first national league title of the unified era by defeating defending champions PSM Makassar 3–2, driven by an early goal from Imran Nahumarury and a decisive brace from striker Bambang Pamungkas.[7]
Following the 2001 championship, Persija remained a perennial title contender throughout the mid-2000s, heavily supported by municipal backing. The club consistently reached the late knockout rounds of the domestic league and finished as runners-up in both the 2005 Liga Indonesia Premier Division, where they fell to Persipura Jayapura, and the 2005 Copa Indonesia. This sustained period of semi-professional competitiveness concluded in 2008 when PSSI overhauled the national football pyramid to comply with Asian Football Confederation professional standards, officially transitioning the top flight into the fully professional Indonesia Super League.
Transition to professional football (2008–2017)
The restructuring of the national football pyramid by the PSSI in 2008 marked Persija Jakarta's transition into the fully professional era, beginning with the inaugural 2008–09 Indonesia Super League (ISL) season. The initial years of this professional transition were characterized by financial volatility and political decoupling, as the government banned the use of regional government budgets (APBD) to fund professional clubs. Persija struggled to maintain its elite status under these new financial restrictions, enduring a title drought for over a decade. The club experienced significant administrative upheaval, frequent coaching changes, and temporary relocations away from Jakarta due to stadium availability and security challenges, which hindered their consistency despite maintaining a strong, loyal fanbase through The Jakmania.
Persija gradually improved its league performances during the following seasons. In 2017, the club finished fourth in Liga 1, securing qualification for the following year's 2018 AFC Cup. The team also developed a stronger squad under Brazilian head coach Stefano Cugurra, laying the groundwork for a successful 2018 campaign. Support from The Jakmania remained a significant part of the club's identity, with Persija regularly attracting large crowds to its home matches
Domestic success and continental competition (2018)
The club's fortunes shifted significantly following corporate stabilization in the late 2010s, culminating in a historic 2018 season under the tactical guidance of Brazilian head coach Stefano Cugurra. Persija achieved a historic domestic treble by winning the 2018 Indonesia President's Cup pre-season tournament, the Boost Sports Super Fix Cup in Malaysia, and ultimately the 2018 Liga 1 title. The league championship was secured on 9 December 2018 after a dramatic 2–1 victory over Mitra Kukar at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, ending a 17-year national league title drought. This successful campaign was spearheaded by prolific Croatian striker Marko Šimić, veteran midfielder Riko Simanjuntak, and long-serving club icons Ismed Sofyan and goalkeeper Andritany Ardhiyasa.[8]
AFC Cup debut
Persija began its 2018 AFC Cup campaign in Group H alongside Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta'zim, Vietnamese club Sông Lam Nghệ An and Singaporean club Tampines Rovers. After losing 3–0 away to Johor Darul Ta'zim in their opening match, the club recovered with a 4–1 victory over Tampines Rovers, in which Croatian striker Marko Šimić scored a hat-trick. Persija continued with a goalless draw against Sông Lam Nghệ An before recording a 1–0 victory over the Vietnamese side and a 4–0 win against Johor Darul Ta'zim. The team secured first place in the group with a 4–2 away victory over Tampines Rovers on 24 April, finishing with 13 points from six matches and advancing to the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals. In the semi-finals, Persija faced Singaporean club Home United. The first leg, played at Jalan Besar Stadium on 8 May, ended in a 3–2 defeat despite two goals from Ramdani Lestaluhu. In the return leg at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on 15 May, Persija took an early lead through a Marko Šimić penalty, but Home United scored three goals to win 3–1 and progress 6–3 on aggregate. The match attracted 62,198 spectators, setting a record for attendance at an AFC Cup match at the time. Persija's campaign therefore ended in the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals, despite topping their group and recording several convincing victories during the group stage
Persija Jakarta victory parade after winning the 2018 Liga 1 title.
Post-title period and domestic cup success (2019–2023)
Following their 2018 triumph, Persija consolidated its position as a modern, professionally run club. They achieved continental representation in the AFC Cup and won the 2021 Menpora Cup during the domestic restart following the COVID-19 pandemic suspensions. The club continued to invest in world-class infrastructure and top-tier technical staff, notably hiring former Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Doll in 2022, which led to a runners-up finish in the 2022–23 Liga 1 season, conceding 27 goals over the campaign.[9] However, Persija finished eighth in the following 2023–24 season, and Doll and the club mutually agreed to part ways before the 2024–25 campaign.[10][11]
Recent seasons (2024–present)
In the 2024–25 season, Persija appointed Spanish head coach Carlos Peña on a one-year contract.[12][13] However, after 30 league matches, the club and Peña agreed to end their partnership on 1 May 2025. Assistant arrangements were changed for the remainder of the season, with Ricky Nelson appointed caretaker head coach. Persija ultimately finished seventh in the league.
In the 2025–26 season, Persija competed under Brazilian head coach Maurício Souza and finished third in the league with 71 points from 22 wins, five draws and seven defeats. The team scored 65 goals and conceded 29, recording one of its strongest league campaigns in recent years, although it did not secure the championship. Following the end of the season, the club decided not to extend Souza's contract.
On 8 June 2026, Persija appointed former Indonesia national team coach Shin Tae-yong as head coach on a three-year contract for the 2026–27 season. The appointment marked the beginning of a new phase for the club as it sought to build on its recent league performances and challenge for further honours. Persija continues to play its home matches at venues including Jakarta International Stadium and Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, while The Jakmania remains central to its matchday support.
Grounds
Persija Jakarta training ground
Persija has used several stadiums throughout its history, reflecting changes in Jakarta's football infrastructure and the availability of suitable venues. During its early years as Voetbalbond Indonesia Jacatra (VIJ), the club played at VIJ Stadium in Petojo, Gambir, which served as an important venue for football in the city. After the club was renamed Persija in 1950, it played its home matches at Menteng Stadium, also known as Stadion Persija. The ground became closely associated with the club's early domestic success, hosting matches during several of its Perserikatan championship-winning campaigns. However, the stadium was demolished in 2006 and the site was subsequently converted into a public park. Persija later used Lebak Bulus Stadium as another home venue. The stadium was eventually demolished to make way for infrastructure development associated with Jakarta's mass rapid transit system, forcing the club to rely more heavily on alternative grounds.[14] Before settling at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, the club used smaller stadiums as their home ground, including Menteng Stadium and Lebak Bulus Stadium until 2007. When Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and Jakarta International Stadium have been unavailable due to reasons such as maintenance, renovation, other events, or security concerns, Persija has also had to relocate to other stadiums near Jakarta like Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi.[15] Furthermore, Persija occasionally had to play in stadiums far from Jakarta, such as Manahan Stadium in Surakarta or Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Gianyar.[16]
Persija has frequently used Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, located in Central Jakarta, for major home fixtures. The stadium is also the principal venue for the Indonesia national football team which has a seating capacity of 77,193. Its large capacity allows Persija to accommodate substantial crowds, particularly for important league matches and fixtures involving major rivals. The club's use of the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium has nevertheless depended on the stadium's availability, as it also hosts international football matches, national events and other major occasions. When the ground has been unavailable because of events, maintenance or renovation.
In 2019, the Jakarta provincial government under governor Anies Baswedan advanced plans for a new stadium in North Jakarta, known as Jakarta International Stadium.[17][18] Completed in 2022, the stadium which can accommodate up to 82,000 spectators and was designed as a modern, multipurpose venue with access to public transportation. Its development was significant for Persija, which had long relied on existing stadiums around Jakarta and neighbouring cities. The stadium was also associated with proposals to honour Mohammad Husni Thamrin, a Jakarta-born national figure who supported the development of Indonesian football and contributed funds towards the construction of VIJ's early football ground.[19][20][14]
On 20 February 2025, Persija and the stadium's operator, PT Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro), formally designated the stadium as the club's home through a memorandum of understanding. The agreement established a framework for using the stadium for Persija's home matches and developing its identity as a centre for the club and its supporters, The Jakmania. Although Persija continues to use Gelora Bung Karno Stadium for selected fixtures, JIS has become an important part of its home-ground arrangements. The two stadiums provide the club with alternative venues in Jakarta, allowing it to accommodate different scheduling requirements while maintaining a strong connection with its local supporters.
Supports
Persija supporters celebrating club's 2018 Liga 1 league title victory.
Supporters
Persija's main supporter group is called the Jakmania or simply the Jak. Founded in 1997 by Gugun Gondrong and Ferry Indra Sjarif, the Jakmania is one of the biggest football fan groups in Indonesia and uses orange as their main colour.
The anthem of Persija, Persija Menyatukan Kita Semua, written by the Jakmania, is always sung after the match.[21]
Persija is undeniably one of Indonesia's leading clubs with a fanbase that is now considered as the biggest in Asia, according to a December 2020 survey by the Asian Football Confederation. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Persija games could easily gather more than 50,000 people inside the stadium with thousands watching on public screens in neighbourhoods across the sprawling capital. Persija holds the record for highest attendance in an AFC Cup match when it faced with Johor Darul Ta'zim in 2018.[22]
Persija typically has rivalries with former Perserikatan teams such as PSM Makassar, Persebaya Surabaya and PSMS Medan due to long history of meetings.[23][24][25] However, its top rival are Persib Bandung from the West Java city of Bandung, 180km away.[26] This derby is known as Duel Klasik or Laga Klasik. The rivalry between the two teams has become violent in the 2000s due to the growth of ultras on each side. Influenced by mass media and individuals who want the rivalry to be preserved, many hostile incidents involving the teams' supporter groups have occurred with seven deaths so far. Most notable was that of the Jakmania's Haringga Sirla, who was beaten to death by a group of Vikings, supporters of Persib, at Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium in September 2018.[27][28]
In 2014, a reconciliation was held by the West Java Police to avoid future clashes, resulting in restrictions against travelling supporters. However, fans continue to break the rule and end up in violent altercations.[29][30]
Persija also has rivalries with other Jakarta-based football clubs, dubbed Derby Ibukota (the Capital Derby) or Jakarta Derby. However, unlike its rivalries with former Perserikatan teams, Persija's rivalries with other Jakarta-based clubs are low in intensity due to fewer matches held against them. The only rivalry worth mentioning between Persija and said clubs is with Persitara Jakarta Utara.[31]
Youth development
Persija Jakarta has several youth development programs managed by Persija Development, such as the Persija Elite Pro Academy, Persija Soccer School, and Persija Boarding School.[32] The Elite Pro Academy is divided into the U-20, U-18, and U-16 teams, which compete in the EPA ONE.[33] In the 2025–26 season, the Persija Jakarta U21 team won the tournament and became champions,[34] while the Persija Jakarta U-18 team finished as runners-up. In that season, Persija Jakarta also honored as the Best Academy.[35]
Kit suppliers
Orange Persija home jersey, used in the 2000 season
Persija Jakarta's traditional colour is red, which is used for their home kit. Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso in 1997 replaced it with orange to make it in line with the tiger symbol during the rebranding of the club. After 19 years, in 2016, Persija decided to return to red after a long national title drought. The experiment worked as Persija championed the top-tier league in 2018. Frequently, the colour of their away jersey is white. But sometimes, players wear black in their away matches. Orange has been kept as the color of their third jersey.[36]
In Indonesia’s football ecosystem, several teams are affiliated with Persija Jakarta.
Persija Muda
Persija Jakarta also has an affiliated club named Persija Muda, which is operated by Persija Foundation, an organization that manages Persija Jakarta’s internal clubs in modern times.[40] During the Perserikatan era, every traditional clubs in Indonesia like Persija Jakarta, Persebaya Surabaya, and Persib Bandung were formed by several amateur clubs in their region. For example, Persija Jakarta had around 30 internal clubs from various areas in Jakarta, such as PS Menteng Yunior, PS Jayakarta, PS Mahasiswa, and Trisakti, which later united under the name of Persija Jakarta to represent the Jakarta region in national competitions.[41] Today, Persija Muda plays in the fourth tier of the Indonesia football competition. Most players of Persija Muda come from Persija Jakarta’s internal clubs.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
The following is a list of players who remain part of Persija Jakarta first team in the 2026–2027 season, but currently on loan at other clubs.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
The following list is several former famous or legendary players of Persija Jakarta over the years.
Note: Not all famous players who have played for Persija Jakarta are included in this list. Only players who are strongly associated with Persija Jakarta presented here.
After becoming a professional club, Persija Jakarta has been trained by many foreign and local coaches. Sofyan Hadi was the first local head coach who won a professional national title for Persija Jakarta in 2001, when he was also played for the club in 1970s.[51]
Brazilian defender Antônio Cláudio played for the club in the 2000s and returned as a fitness coach for the 2018–2019 season. Together with head coach Stefano Cugurra, they guided Persija to the 2018 league title. Nowadays, Maman Abdurahman who was a player of the 2018 champion squad, now serves as an assistant coach under head coach Shin Tae-yong.
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