Indonesian football league system
| Country | Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Sport | Association football |
| Promotion and relegation | Yes |
| National system | |
| Federation | PSSI |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Top division | Super League |
| Second division | Championship |
| 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 I-League and its previous iterations (Badan Liga Indonesia from 1994–2008, PT Liga Indonesia from 2008–2015, PT Liga Prima Indonesia Sportindo from 2011–2013 (Dualism Competition) and PT Liga Indonesia Baru from 2017–2025).
There are four levels of competition in the hierarchy recently. The top two tiers are professional competitions, the third tier is semi-professional, and the fourth tier is amateur.[1]
Structure
Super League is the first-tier of football league in Indonesia. Until 2025, it was known as Liga 1. The second-tier is Championship, formerly Premier Division until 2014 and Liga 2 until 2025. The third-tier is Liga Nusantara, formerly Liga 3. Super League and Championship are professional leagues, while Liga Nusantara operates at a semi-professional level. All three leagues are operated by I-League,[2][3][4] which also organizes the youth competition, Elite Pro Academy.[4]
Liga 4 is the only amateur football league in Indonesia, consisting of an unlimited number of amateur clubs. Each of Indonesia's 38 provinces organizes its own provincial league, with the number of teams varying across regions. The top 64 teams from the provincial phase qualify for the national phase.
Men's
| Level | League (s) | Division (s) |
|---|---|---|
| Professional leagues | ||
| 1 | Super League 18 clubs ↓ 3 relegation spots |
— |
| 2 | Championship 20 clubs divided into 2 regions ↑ 3 promotion spots ↓ 3 relegation spots |
West Region 10 clubs |
| East Region 10 clubs | ||
| Semi-professional league | ||
| 3 | Liga Nusantara 24 clubs divided into 2, 3 or 4 groups ↑ 3 promotion spots ↓ 8 relegation spots |
TBA |
| Non-professional league | ||
| 4 | Liga 4 unlimited clubs in 38 provincial leagues ↑ 8 promotion spots |
38 provincial leagues1 |
Notes:
- ^ West Java operates a provincial league system consisting of Liga 4 Series 1 (level 4) with 24 teams and Liga 4 Series 2 (level 5) with an unlimited number of teams, with promotion and relegation between the two divisions, making it different from other provincial league systems.
Youth
| Level | Youth | Grassroots |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elite Pro Academy U20 (Liga 1, Liga 2) | Soeratin Cup U17 |
| 2 | Elite Pro Academy U18 (Liga 1) | Soeratin Cup U15 |
| 3 | Elite Pro Academy U16 (Liga 1) | Soeratin Cup U13 |
History
Pre-Independence
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
Perserikatan/Galatama
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
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
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
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]
2014–2015: Dualism ended and FIFA sanction
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
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 | |||||||||||||||||
In 2025, PT. Liga Indonesia Baru rebranded Liga 1 and Liga 2 as the Super League and the Championship, respectively. Additionally, PT. LIB rebranded itself as the I-League.[12]
|
Level |
League/Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Super League | |||||||||||||||||
|
2 |
Championship | |||||||||||||||||
|
3 |
Liga Nusantara | |||||||||||||||||
|
4 |
Liga 4 | |||||||||||||||||
Competition format
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.[13]
Promotion and relegation
- Super League (level 1, 18 teams): the bottom three teams are relegated to Liga 2
- Championship (level 2, 20 teams): the champions, runner-up and third-place teams are promoted to Liga 1. The three worst teams will be relegated to Liga Nusantara.
- Liga Nusantara (level 3, 24 teams): the champions, runner-up and third-place teams are promoted to Liga 2. The eight worst teams will be relegated to Liga 4.
- Liga 4 (level 4, unlimited number of teams): Eight-best teams are promoted to Liga Nusantara.
Cup competitions
Annual cup tournaments
- Piala Liga (1985–1989) for Galatama clubs (defunct)
- Piala Galatama (1992–1993) for Galatama clubs (defunct)
- Copa Indonesia (2005–2009) (defunct)
- Piala Indonesia (2010–present)
Annual super cup tournaments
- Galatama-Perserikatan National Invitation (1985) (defunct)
- Piala Utama (1990 & 1992) (defunct)
- Copa Super Cup (2006–2008) (defunct)
- Indonesian Community Shield (2009–2013) (defunct)
Break season tournaments
- Soeharto President's Cup (1972–1976) for Perserikatan clubs (defunct)
- Inter Island Cup (2010–2014) (defunct)
- Menpora Cup (2013 & 2021) (defunct)
- Indonesia President's Cup (2015–present)
All tier champions by season
1930–1950
| Season | Inlandsche Stedenwedstrijden |
|---|---|
| 1930 (unofficial)[a] |
VIJ Batavia |
| 1931 | VIJ Batavia |
| 1932 | PSIM Yogyakarta |
| 1933 | VIJ Batavia |
| 1934[b] | VIJ Batavia |
| 1935 | Persis Solo |
| 1936 | Persis Solo |
| 1937 | Persib Bandung |
| 1938 | VIJ Batavia |
| 1939 | Persis Solo |
| 1940 | Persis Solo |
| 1941 | Persis Solo |
| 1942 | Persis Solo |
| 1943 | Persis Solo |
| 1944–49 | Not held |
| 1950 (unofficial)[c] |
Persib Bandung |
1951–1978
| Season | Perserikatan |
|---|---|
| 1951 | Persebaya Surabaya |
| 1952 | Persebaya Surabaya |
| 1953–54 | Persija Jakarta |
| 1955–57 | PSM Makassar |
| 1957–59 | PSM Makassar |
| 1959–61 | Persib Bandung |
| 1962–64 | Persija Jakarta |
| 1964–65 | PSM Makassar |
| 1965–66 | PSM Makassar |
| 1966–67 | PSMS Medan |
| 1968–69[d] | PSMS Medan |
| 1969–71 | PSMS Medan |
| 1971–73 | Persija Jakarta |
| 1973–75 | Persija Jakarta and PSMS Medan |
| 1975–78 | Persebaya Surabaya |
1978–1994
| Season | Perserikatan | Perserikatan First Division | Perserikatan Second Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978–79 | Persija Jakarta | Persipura Jayapura | No competition |
| 1980 | Persiraja Banda Aceh | Not held | |
| 1981–82 | Not held | PSIS Semarang | |
| 1983 | PSMS Medan | Not held | |
| 1984 | Not held | Perseman Manokwari | |
| 1985 | PSMS Medan | Persiba Balikpapan | |
| 1986 | Persib Bandung | Not held | |
| 1986–87 | PSIS Semarang | PSDS Deli Serdang | Persijatim East Jakarta |
| 1987–88 | Persebaya Surabaya | Persita Tangerang | Persijasel South Jakarta |
| 1988–89 | Not held | ||
| 1989–90 | Persib Bandung | Persema Malang | PSIR Rembang |
| 1990–91 | Not held | ||
| 1991–92 | PSM Makassar | PS Bengkulu | Perseden Denpasar |
| 1992–93 | Not held | ||
| 1993–94 | Persib Bandung | Persipura Jayapura | Persis Solo |
| Season | Galatama | Galatama First Division |
|---|---|---|
| 1979–80 | Warna Agung | Angkasa |
| 1980–82 | NIAC Mitra | No competiton |
| 1982–83 | NIAC Mitra | Semen Padang |
| 1983–84 | Yanita Utama | No competiton |
| 1984 | Yanita Utama | |
| 1985 | Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian | |
| 1986–87 | Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian | |
| 1987–88 | NIAC Mitra | |
| 1988–89 | Pelita Jaya | |
| 1990 | Pelita Jaya | Assyabaab Bangil |
| 1990–92 | Arseto | No competiton |
| 1992–93 | Arema Malang | |
| 1993–94 | Pelita Jaya |
1994–2004
| 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
| 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
| 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
| 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 | Indonesian 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 | Not awarded | PSS Sleman | No competition | ||
2014–2016
| 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 | ||
| Season | ISC A | ISC B | ISC Nusantara League |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 (unofficial) |
Persipura Jayapura | PSCS Cilacap | Perseden Denpasar |
2017–2024
| 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 after Kanjuruhan Stadium disaster | |
| 2023–24 | Persib Bandung | PSBS Biak | Adhyaksa Farmel |
2024–2025
| Season | Liga 1 | Liga 2 | Liga Nusantara | Liga 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Persib Bandung | PSIM Yogyakarta | Sumut United | Tri Brata Rafflesia |
2025–present
| Season | Super League | Championship | Liga Nusantara | Liga 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 |
See also
- Football records in Indonesia
- List of football clubs in Indonesia by major honours won
- Indonesian Women Football Tournament
- Indonesia Pro Futsal League
Notes
- ^ The 1930 season was an unofficial tournament.
- ^ The PSSI 50th anniversary book erroneously lists the venue of the tournament as Bandung and its runners-up as Persib (Bandoeng).
- ^ The 1950 season was an unofficial tournament called Turnamen Kongres PSSI (PSSI Congress Tournament).
- ^ RSSSF claims the 1968–69 season was not held.
Footnotes
- ^ "Sejarah Persatuan Sepakbola Seluruh Indonesia (PSSI)" (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 3 January 2010.
- ^ a b "Apa Itu PT Liga Indonesia Baru atau LIB?". olahraga (in Indonesian). CNN Indonesia. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Raya, Mercy (2 April 2015). "Menpora Bisa Jatuhkan Sanksi Jika PSSI dan PT Liga Membandel". sepakbola (in Indonesian). detikcom. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ Nuralam, Cakrayuri (11 April 2015). "Gara-gara Menpora dan BOPI, PSSI Terancam Sanksi FIFA". liputan6.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ Al Fauzi, Furqon (29 May 2020). "Sabtu Kelabu 5 Tahun Lalu, Indonesia Disanksi FIFA". www.skor.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ "PSSI Ubah ISL Jadi Liga 1". Bola.net. 20 January 2017. Archived from the original on 22 January 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
- ^ Pradigdo, Benediktus Gerendo (18 March 2017). "PSSI Tunjuk PT Liga Indonesia Baru Jadi Operator Kompetisi 2017". bola.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ 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).
- ^ Robbani, Muhammad (7 July 2025). "Rebranding, Liga 1 Ganti Nama Jadi Super League". Detik.com (in Indonesian).
- ^ "New Super League key to success in Indonesia".
External links
- (in Indonesian) Official website of PSSI
- (in Indonesian) Liga Indonesia News