Liga Nusantara
Organising body | PSSI (2014–2024) PT Liga Indonesia Baru (2024–present) |
---|---|
Founded | 1994 (as Divisi Dua Liga Indonesia in 3rd tier) 2008 (as Divisi Satu Liga Indonesia in 3rd tier) 2014 (as Liga Nusantara in 4th tier) 2016 (as ISC Liga Nusantara) (Unofficial Competition) 2017 (as Liga 3) 2024 (as Liga Nusantara in 3rd tier) |
Country | Indonesia |
Confederation | AFC |
Number of clubs | 24 |
Level on pyramid | 3 |
Promotion to | Liga 2 |
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 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. 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 Liga Indonesia Baru.
History
[edit]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
[edit]Old format
[edit]Provincial phase
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]2024–25 season
[edit]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
[edit]To be announced.
Teams
[edit]Current participating teams
[edit]The following 24 clubs will compete in the Liga Nusantara during 2025–26 season.
Team | Location | 2024–25 position | Year joined | Seasons in LN |
First season in D3 |
Seasons in D3 |
Current spell in D3 |
Last spell in L2 |
Former names | Other leagues |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batavia | South Jakarta | 3rd in NP R4 Group B (Liga 4) | 2017 | 8 | 2017 | 8 | 2025– | — | — | — |
Dejan | Depok | 3rd in RL Group I (Liga 2) | 2022–23 | 3 | 2022–23 | 3 | 2025– | 2024–2025 | — | — |
Gresik United | Gresik | 4th in RL Group J (Liga 2) | 2006 | 4 | 2019 | 4 | 2025– | 2022–2025 | — | — |
Nusantara United | Boyolali | 3rd in RL Group H (Liga 2) | 2021 | 2 | 2021–22 | 2 | 2025– | 2022–2025 | [Note NUS] | — |
Pekanbaru | Pekanbaru | 2nd in NP R4 Group B (Liga 4) | 2024–25 | 1 | 2025–26 | 1 | 2025– | — | — | — |
Persebata | Lembata | 2nd in NP R4 Group A (Liga 4) | 1999 | 8 | 2017 | 8 | 2025– | — | — | — |
Perseden | Denpasar | 3rd in NP R4 Group A (Liga 4) | 1994–95 | 8 | 2013 | 12 | 2025– | — | — | [u 1] |
Persekabpas | Pasuruan | 3rd in CH Group X | 1994–95 | 9 | 2009–10 | 16 | 2017– | 2008–2009 | — | [b 1] |
Perserang | Serang | 2nd in RL Group K | 1994–95 | 2 | 2011–12 | 6 | 2024– | 2015–2024 | — | [b 1] |
Persewar | Waropen | 5th in RL Group J (Liga 2) | 2005 | 3 | 2011–12 | 8 | 2025– | 2019–2025 | — | [b 1] |
Persiba Bantul | Bantul | 1st in RL Group J | 1994–95 | 8 | 2018 | 8 | 2018– | 2015–2017 | — | — |
Persibo | Bojonegoro | Relegation PO loser (Liga 2) | 2002 | 8 | 2017 | 8 | 2025– | 2024–2025 | — | — |
Persika Karanganyar | Karanganyar | NP Runner-up (Liga 4) | 2006 | 4 | 2021–22 | 4 | 2025– | — | — | — |
Persikabo 1973 | Bogor | 4th in RL Group I (Liga 2) | 2016 | 1 | 2025–26 | 1 | 2025– | 2024–2025 | [Note PBO] | — |
Persikota | Tangerang | 4th in RL Group H (Liga 2) | 1994–95 | 8 | 2014 | 11 | 2025– | 2024–2025 | — | [u 1] |
Persikutim United | East Kutai | 3rd in CH Group Y | 2018 | 8 | 2018 | 8 | 2018– | — | [Note KTM] | — |
Persipa | Pati | 4th in RL Group K (Liga 2) | 1994–95 | 6 | 2010 | 12 | 2025– | 2022–2025 | — | [b 1][u 1] |
Persitara | North Jakarta | 4th in NP R4 Group A (Liga 4) | 1994–95 | 8 | 2015 | 10 | 2025– | 2010–2014 | — | — |
PSDS | Deli Serdang | 2nd in RL Group J | 1994–95 | 7 | 2011–12 | 12 | 2024– | 2022–2024 | — | — |
PSGC | Ciamis | Promotion play-off loser | 1994–95 | 7 | 2011–12 | 9 | 2020– | 2019 | — | [b 1] |
RANS Nusantara | Batu | 5th in RL Group K (Liga 2) | 2013 | 2 | 2014 | 2 | 2025– | 2024–2025 | [Note RNS] | — |
Sang Maestro | Surabaya | 4th in NP R4 Group B (Liga 4) | 2018 | 7 | 2018 | 7 | 2025– | — | — | — |
Tri Brata Rafflesia | Bengkulu | NP Champions (Liga 4) | 2021—22 | 4 | 2021–22 | 4 | 2025– | — | — | — |
Waanal Brothers | Mimika | 1st in RL Group K | 2022–23 | 4 | 2022–23 | 4 | 2022– | — | — | — |
Recently relegated from Liga 2 | |
Recently promoted from Liga 4 |
- "Year joined" is the year the club joined the Liga Indonesia, including leagues that are divisionally below it and counted since 1994–95 season.
- "First season in D3" and "Seasons in D3" counted since First Division dropped down to third-tier and also including of LPIS First Division during dualism era (2011–2012) and ISC Liga Nusantara in 2016 season.
- "Seasons in LN" and "Current spell in D3" counted since the third-tier league was renamed as Liga 3 and later changed to Liga Nusantara.
- "Last spell in L2" counted since Premier Division dropped down to second-tier (now Liga 2), including LPIS Premier Division during dualism era (2011–2013) and ISC B in 2016 season.
- Former names
- ^ Nusantara United (NUS): previously as Mataram Utama.
- ^ Persikabo 1973 (PBO): previously as PS TNI.
- ^ Persikutim (KTM): previously as Sumbersari FC.
- ^ RANS Nusantara (RNS): previously as Cilegon United.
- Breakaway league
- Unofficial league
Former teams
[edit]The following clubs competed in the Liga Nusantara since 2024–25 season, but are not competing in the 2025–26 season.
Team | Year joined | Seasons in LN | Location | First season in D3 |
Seasons in D3 |
Last spell in D3 |
Current league | Former names |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
757 Kepri Jaya | 2008–09 | 7 | Batam | 2013 | 7 | 2018–2025 | Liga 4 | [Note 757] |
Kalteng Putra | 2001 | 1 | Palangka Raya | 2008–09 | 4 | 2024–2025 | N/A | — |
Kendal Tornado | 2018 | 7 | Kendal | 2018 | 7 | 2018–2025 | Liga 2 | [Note TRD] |
Persiba Balikpapan | 1994–95 | 1 | Balikpapan | 2024–25 | 1 | 2024–2025 | Liga 2 | — |
Persikab | 1994–95 | 6 | Bandung | 2016 | 8 | 2024–2025 | Liga 4 | — |
Persikad | 2019 | 4 | Depok | 2019 | 4 | 2024–2025 | Liga 2 | [Note PKD] |
Persipani | 1994–95 | 8 | Paniai | 2011–12 | 13 | 2011–2025 | Liga 4 | — |
Persipasi | 2017 | 8 | Bekasi | 2017 | 8 | 2017–2025 | Liga 4 | [Note PSI] |
PSCS | 1994–95 | 2 | Cilacap | 2009–10 | 3 | 2024–2025 | Liga 4 | — |
PSM Madiun | 1994–95 | 7 | Madiun | 2018 | 7 | 2018–2025 | Liga 4 | — |
Sulut United | 2017 | 2 | Manado | 2018 | 2 | 2024–2025 | N/A | [Note SUL] |
Recently promoted to Liga 2 | |
Recently relegated to Liga 4 |
- "Year joined" is the year the club joined the Liga Indonesia, including leagues that are divisionally below it and counted since 1994–95 season.
- "First season in D3" and "Seasons in D3" counted since First Division dropped down to third-tier and also including of LPIS First Division during dualism era (2011–2013) and ISC Liga Nusantara.
- "Season in LN" and "Last spell in D3" counted since the third-tier league was renamed as Liga 3 and later changed to Liga Nusantara.
- Former names
Maps
[edit]Championship history
[edit]Old format
[edit]One-off final
[edit]Season | League name | Champions | Score | Runners-up |
---|---|---|---|---|
2014 | Liga Nusantara | Persatu Tuban | 2–1 | Laga |
2015 | Season 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
[edit]Season | League name | Home team | Score | Away 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
[edit]Season | League name | Champions | Score | Runners-up |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024–25 | Liga Nusantara | Sumut United | 4–1 | Tornado |
Promotion history
[edit]Old format
[edit]Season | Promoted teams | Total |
---|---|---|
2014 | 6 | |
2017 | 3 | |
2018 | 6 | |
2019 | 6 | |
2021–22 | 8 | |
2023–24 | 6 |
New format
[edit]Season | Champions | Runners-up | Third place |
---|---|---|---|
2024–25 | Sumut United | Tornado | Persiba Balikpapan |
Relegation history
[edit]Season | Relegated teams | Total |
---|---|---|
2024–25 |
|
8 |
Awards
[edit]Best players
[edit]Season | Player | Club |
---|---|---|
2014 | ![]() |
Persatu Tuban |
2017 | ![]() |
Aceh United |
2018 | ![]() |
Persik Kediri |
2019 | ![]() |
Persijap Jepara |
2021–22 | ![]() |
Karo United |
2023–24 | ![]() |
Adhyaksa Farmel |
2024–25 | ![]() |
Tornado |
Top scorers
[edit]Season | Top scorer | Club | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | ![]() |
Laga | 4 |
2017 | ![]() |
Aceh United | 7 |
2018 | ![]() |
Persik Kediri | 21 |
2019 | ![]() |
PSKC Cimahi | 9 |
2021–22 | ![]() |
Putra Delta Sidoarjo | 11 |
2023–24 | ![]() |
Dejan | 9 |
2024–25 | ![]() |
Persekabpas Pasuruan | 14 |
Fair play awards
[edit]Season | Club |
---|---|
2018 | Persik Kediri |
2019 | PSKC Cimahi |
2021–22 | Mataram Utama |
2023–24 | Dejan |
2024–25 | Not awarded |
Title sponsors
[edit]Period | Sponsor(s) | Brand | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | No sponsor | Liga Nusantara | – |
2017–2024 | Liga 3 | – | |
2024–present | PNM | PNM Liga Nusantara |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "Persatu Juarai Piala Nusantara 2014" (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ^ "PSSI Ubah ISL Jadi Liga 1" (in Indonesian). Bola.net. 20 January 2017. Archived from the original on 22 January 2017.
- ^ 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).
- ^ auglandy, Niko (2024-11-09). "Liga 3 Resmi Ganti Nama Jadi Liga Nusantara: Ini Daftar Peserta, Regulasi, dan Jadwal Pertandingannya". Radar Solo (in Indonesian).
- ^ "Luar Biasa! Jatim Kuasai Piala Nusantara 2014" (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2014.