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2025–26 Championship (Indonesia)
16th season of second division league in Indonesia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 2025–26 Championship (also known as the 2025–26 Pegadaian Championship for sponsorship reasons[1]) will be the inaugural season of the Championship under its current name and the 16th season under its current league structure. The season is scheduled to begin on 12 September 2025 and conclude on May 2026, which includes a period of break from 1 to 19 December 2025 in conjunction with the upcoming SEA Games in Thailand.[2]
The summer transfer window will open on 24 June 2025 and close on 11 September 2025, while the winter transfer window will run from 2 January to 28 February 2026.
This will be the first full season where VAR technology is in use, following its introduction during the final and promotion play-off matches of the previous season.[3]
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Overview
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Promotion and relegation (pre-season)
20 teams will compete in the league – the fourteen teams from the previous season, three teams relegated from the Liga 1 and three teams promoted from Liga Nusantara.[4]
Teams promoted to Super League
On 12 February 2025, Bhayangkara Presisi became the first team to secure promotion to Super League after a 0–0 draw against Persijap in matchweek 5 of Group Y in the championship round, ensuring an immediate return to the top tier.[5]
PSIM became the second team to gain promotion on 17 February 2025 after defeating PSPS in matchweek 6 of Group X. The result ended PSIM's 18-season stay in the second tier since the inception of the Indonesian Super League (now Super League) in the 2008–09 season.[6]
Persijap secured the final promotion spot on 25 February 2025 after defeating PSPS in the promotion play-off. The win ended Persijap’s 10-seasons absence from the top tier. During that period, they spent eight seasons in the second tier and two in the third tier.[7]
Teams relegated from Liga 1
PSIS became the first team to be relegated on 11 May 2025 after Semen Padang draw with Persebaya in an away match during matchweek 32. PSIS return to second tier after spending seven seasons at top tier.[8]
Semen Padang's victory over Arema in an away match on final matchweek resulted in both PSS and Barito Putera being relegated on 24 May 2025. PSS returned to the second tier after spending six seasons in the top tier and Barito Putera returned to the second tier after spending eleven seasons in the top tier.[9]
Teams promoted from Liga Nusantara
On 17 February 2025, Kendal Tornado (formerly Tornado Pekanbaru) became the first team to secure promotion to Championship after defeating PSGC in matchweek 5 of Group X in the championship round. The 2024–25 season marked Tornado's debut in the second tier of the Indonesian league system.[10]
Persikad Depok (formerly Sumut United) and Persiba Balikpapan also earned promotion, both returning to Championship after a one-season absence. Persikad sealed promotion on 23 February 2025 with a 5–1 away win over NZR Sumbersari in matchweek 6 of Group Y. Persiba secured the final promotion spot on 27 February 2025 after defeating PSGC in a penalty shootout in the promotion play-off.[11][12]
Teams relegated to Liga Nusantara
The first three teams to be relegated were Nusantara United, Persikabo 1973, and Persikota, following the results of their respective matches on 10 February 2025. Nusantara United and Persikota drew their games, but the results were insufficient to avoid relegation. On the same day, Sriwijaya secured a win over PSMS in matchweek 5 of Group H in the relegation round.[13][14]
Nusantara United were relegated to the third tier after three seasons in the second tier. Persikota also returned to the third tier just one season after gaining promotion. Persikabo 1973 suffered a second consecutive relegation, having failed to retain their place in the second tier after losing to Adhyaksa Banten in matchweek 5 of Group I.[15]
RANS Nusantara became the fourth team to be relegated on 13 February 2025 after a loss to Persipal in matchweek 6 of Group K, marking their second straight relegation after just one season in the second tier.[16]
Persewar, after spending six seasons in the second tier, along with Persipa and Gresik United, each after three seasons, were also relegated. Persewar were relegated on 16 February 2025 after a defeat in matchweek 8 of Group J. Persipa followed on 21 February 2025 after Persipura defeated RANS Nusantara in matchweek 9 of Group K. Gresik United were relegated on 25 February 2025 after Persibo won against Persewar in matchweek 10 of Group J.[17][18][19]
Meanwhile, Dejan and Persibo also returned to the third tier just one season after gaining promotion. Dejan were relegated on 15 February 2025 following a defeat to Adhyaksa Banten in matchweek 6 of Group I, while Persibo were relegated on 28 February 2025 after losing to Persipura in a single-match relegation play-off.[20][21]
Name changes and relocated teams
- Adhyaksa changed their official name to Adhyaksa Banten and moved to Banten International Stadium in Serang starting from this season.
- Tornado Pekanbaru changed their official name to Kendal Tornado and moved to Kebondalem Stadium in Kendal starting from this season.[22]
- Persikas sold their Championship playing license to Sumsel United, who will play at Palembang starting from this season.[23][24]
- PSKC changed their official name to Garudayaksa and moved to Bekasi Regency starting from this season.[25]
- Sumut United was acquired by Liga 4 side, Persikad 1999. As a result, Persikad 1999 took over Sumut United's place in Championship starting from this season and they will compete under name Persikad Depok.[26]
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Teams
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Teams changes
The following teams changed division since the 2024–25 season.
Teams by province
Locations and stadiums
Palembang
Locations of teams in the 2025–26 Championship.
Red: West region; 
Blue: East region
Red: West region; 
Blue: East region
| ↓ | Relegated from the Super League |
| ↑ | Promoted from the Liga Nusantara |
League notes:
- CH: Championship round
- RL: Relegation round
Location notes:
- Due to the ongoing renovation of 17th May Stadium, Barito Putera will play their home matches at Demang Lehman Stadium in Banjarbaru.[27]
- Due to the ongoing renovation of Teladan Stadium, PSMS will play their home matches at North Sumatra Stadium and Baharuddin Siregar Stadium in Deli Serdang.[28][29]
- Due to the ongoing renovation of Teladan Stadium, PSMS will play their home matches at North Sumatra Stadium and Baharuddin Siregar Stadium in Deli Serdang.
Personnel and kits
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and coaches may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Coaching changes
Pre-season
During the season
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Foreign players
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Starting from last season, I-League announced an increase in the foreign player quota to three foreign players. All of them are allowed to be registered in the matchday squad and placed in the starting eleven at the same time.
- Players marked with
indicates the player was registered during the mid-season transfer window. - Players marked with
are former players that were out of squad or left the club within the season, after the pre-season transfer window, or in the mid-season transfer window, and at least had one appearance.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Foreign players by confederation
Dual citizenship/heritage players
- Players name in bold indicates the player was registered after the start of the season.
- Player's name in italics indicates Overseas Indonesian players whom have obtained an Indonesian passport and citizenship, therefore being considered as local players.
Notes:
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League table
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A total of 20 teams will be divided into 2 regions based on the geographical location of their homebase. Each region consists of 10 teams, with each team playing against the other teams in their region three times in a triple round-robin format.[94]
The first-place teams from the West and East regions will be advance to the final and directly promoted to 2026–27 Super League, while the runners-up will play a promotion play-off for the remaining promotion spot. The 10th-place teams from each region will be relegated to 2026–27 Liga Nusantara, and the 9th-place teams will face off in a relegation play-off to decide one additional relegated team.[94]
West region
First match(es) will be played: 12 September 2025. Source: Championship 2025–26
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Fair-play points; 8) Draw.
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Fair-play points; 8) Draw.
East region
First match(es) will be played: 12 September 2025. Source: Championship 2025–26
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Fair-play points; 8) Draw.
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored; 7) Fair-play points; 8) Draw.
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Positions by matchday
West region
| Promotion to the 2026–27 Super League and qualification for the final | |
| Qualification for the promotion play-off | |
| Qualification for the relegation play-off | |
| Relegation to the 2026–27 Liga Nusantara |
First match(es) will be played on 12 September 2025. Source: Championship 2025–26
East region
| Promotion to the 2026–27 Super League and qualification for the final | |
| Qualification for the promotion play-off | |
| Qualification for the relegation play-off | |
| Relegation to the 2026–27 Liga Nusantara |
First match(es) will be played on 12 September 2025. Source: Championship 2025–26
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Results
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Teams play each other three times, twice in the first half of the season (home and away) and once in the second half of the season (either home or away) with each team playing 27 matches.[94]
West region
- West Region Matches
East region
- East Region Matches
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Results by matchday
West region
First match(es) will be played on 12 September 2025. Source: Championship 2025–26
East region
First match(es) will be played on 12 September 2025. Source: Championship 2025–26
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Relegation & promotion play-offs
The play-offs will be played as a single match. If tied after regulation time, extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shoot-out will be used to decide the winning team.[94]
Relegation play-off
The loser will be relegated to the 2026–27 Liga Nusantara.
Promotion play-off
The winner will be promoted to the 2026–27 Super League.
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Final
The final will be played as a single match. If tied after regulation time, extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shoot-out will be used to decide the winning team.[94]
Season statistics
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Attendances
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Overall
Source: Championship 2025–26
Notes:
†
Teams played previous season in Super League
‡ Teams played previous season in Liga Nusantara
Note: Attendants who entered with free ticket are not counted.
Home match played
Source: Championship 2025–26
Notes:
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Awards
Weekly awards
Monthly awards
See also
- 2025–26 Super League
- 2025–26 Liga Nusantara
- 2025–26 Liga 4
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
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