Indonesian football league system

Indonesian football league system
CountryIndonesia
SportAssociation football
Promotion and relegationYes
National system
FederationFootball Association of Indonesia
ConfederationAFC
Top divisionLiga 1
Second divisionLiga 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]

Structure

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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 		—
Youth
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

History

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Pre-Independence

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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.

Post-Independence

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Perserikatan/Galatama

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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)

1994–2008: Liga Indonesia

[edit]

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)

2008–2011: ISL

[edit]

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

2011–2014: Dualism

[edit]

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]

Level

League/Division

1

Indonesia Super League Indonesian Premier League

2

Liga Indonesia Premier Division (LPIS) Liga Indonesia Premier Division (LI)

3

Liga Indonesia First Division

4

Liga Indonesia Second Division

5

Liga Indonesia Third Division

2014–2015: Dualism ended and FIFA sanction

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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]

2017–present: Post-FIFA sanction

[edit]

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

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

1

Liga 1

2

Liga 2

3

Liga Nusantara

4

Liga 4

Competition format

[edit]

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]

Promotion and relegation

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  1. Liga 1 (level 1, 18 teams): the bottom three teams are relegated to Liga 2
  2. Liga 2 (level 2, 26 teams): the champions, runner-up and third-place teams are promoted to Liga 1. The nine worst teams will be relegated to Liga 3.
  3. Liga Nusantara (level 3, 16 teams): the champions, runner-up and third-place teams are promoted to Liga 2. The six worst teams will be relegated to Liga 4.
  4. Liga 4 (level 4, unlimited number of team): Eight-best teams are promoted to Liga 3.

Cup competitions

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Annual cup tournaments

Annual super cup tournaments

Break season tournaments

All tier champions by season

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1994–2004

[edit]
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

2005–2008

[edit]
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

2008–2011

[edit]
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

2011–2013 / Dualism Era

[edit]
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

2014

[edit]
Season Indonesia Super League Premier Division First Division Nusantara League
2014 Persib Bandung Pusamania Borneo Cilegon United Persatu Tuban

2015–2016

[edit]
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
  • The 2016 season was an unofficial tournament

2017–2024

[edit]
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.

2024–present

[edit]
Season Liga 1 Liga 2 Liga Nusantara Liga 4
2024–25

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ "Sejarah Persatuan Sepakbola Seluruh Indonesia (PSSI)" (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 3 January 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Apa Itu PT Liga Indonesia Baru atau LIB?". olahraga (in Indonesian). CNN Indonesia. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  3. ^ a b Faizi, Lutfan (8 October 2022). "Profil PT LIB, Operator Kompetisi Liga 1 yang Ngotot Pertandingan Digelar Malam Hari". SINDOnews Sports (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Erianto, Dwi (26 August 2021). "Liga Indonesia: Sejarah, Penyelenggara, Tim Juara, dan Pemain Terbaik". kompas.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  5. ^ Haryanto Tri Wibowo; Anry Dhanniary (17 March 2013). Rini Kustiani (ed.). "Hasil Kongres Luar Biasa PSSI Hari Ini". Tempo.co (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  6. ^ Raya, Mercy (2 April 2015). "Menpora Bisa Jatuhkan Sanksi Jika PSSI dan PT Liga Membandel". sepakbola (in Indonesian). detikcom. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  7. ^ Nuralam, Cakrayuri (11 April 2015). "Gara-gara Menpora dan BOPI, PSSI Terancam Sanksi FIFA". liputan6.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  8. ^ Al Fauzi, Furqon (29 May 2020). "Sabtu Kelabu 5 Tahun Lalu, Indonesia Disanksi FIFA". www.skor.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  9. ^ "PSSI Ubah ISL Jadi Liga 1". Bola.net. 20 January 2017. Archived from the original on 22 January 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
  10. ^ Pradigdo, Benediktus Gerendo (18 March 2017). "PSSI Tunjuk PT Liga Indonesia Baru Jadi Operator Kompetisi 2017". bola.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  11. ^ 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).
  12. ^ "New Super League key to success in Indonesia".[permanent dead link‍]
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