Liga Nusantara

Liga Nusantara
Organising bodyPSSI (2014–2024)
I-League (2024–present)
Founded
  • 2014; 12 years ago (2014), as Liga Nusantara in 4th tier
  • 2017; 9 years ago (2017), as Liga 3
  • 2024; 2 years ago (2024), as Liga Nusantara in 3rd tier
CountryIndonesia
ConfederationAFC
Number of clubs24
Level on pyramid3
Promotion toChampionship
Relegation toLiga 4
Domestic cupPiala Indonesia
Current championsRANS Nusantara
1st Liga Nusantara title
1st third-tier title
(2025–26)
Most championshipsSumut United
2 Liga Nusantara titles
2 third-tier titles
BroadcastersYouTube (I-LeagueTV)
Nusantara TV
WebsiteOfficial website
Current: 2026–27 Liga Nusantara

Liga Nusantara (English: Archipelago League) is the third-tier of the football competition system in Indonesia, organized by the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). 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 the I-League.

History

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. Persatu Tuban won the competition's first season.

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.

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.

Format

Old format

Provincial phase

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

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

2024–25 season

The league format was announced on 7 November 2024. There was no provincial or national phase. Instead, there were four rounds:

  • 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

There were two rounds:

  • Regular round: 24 teams were divided into four groups of six, the round being played in a centralized format of triple round-robin matches. The top two teams advanced to the knockout round, the fifth placed-team entered the relegation play-off, and the sixth-placed teams were immediately relegated to the 2026–27 Liga 4.
  • Knockout round: The round was played as a single match. The winners of the semi-final matches and then the winner of the promotion play-off match were promoted to the 2026–27 Championship, while the losers of the relegation play-off matches were relegated to the 2026–27 Liga 4. The winner of the final was crowned as the champions.

2026–27 season

There will be three rounds:

  • Regular round: 24 teams were divided into three groups of eight, with the format being played in a home-and-away format of double round-robin matches. Group winners, group runners-up, and two best group third-place finishers will advance to the round of eight. No team will be relegated to the 2027–28 Liga 4 unless anyone fails to obtain a Liga Nusantara license.
  • Round of eight: Eight teams will be divided into two groups of four, with the round being played in a centralized format of single round-robin matches. Group winners will advance to the final and will promoted to the 2027–28 Championship by obtaining that league's license. Group runners-up will enter the promotion play-off.
  • Promotion play-off and final: The play-off and final will be 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 will be promoted to the 2027–28 Championship by obtaining that league's license, while the winner of the final match will be crowned as champions.

Teams

Maps




















.

Current participating teams

The following 24 clubs will compete in the Liga Nusantara during 2026–27 season.

Team Location 2025–26 position Year joined Seasons in
LN		 First season in
D3		 Seasons in
D3		 Current spell in
D3		 Last spell in
CH		 Former names Other leagues
Batavia South Jakarta Quarter-finals 2017 9 2017 9 2025– — — —
Donggala United Donggala 10th in Group 2 (Championship) 2011 2 2017 2 2026– 2018–2026 [Note DGL] —
Gresik United Gresik 4th in Group D 2006 5 2019 5 2025– 2022–2025 — —
Pasuruan United [id] Pasuruan City Champions (Liga 4) 2013 4 2022–23 4 2026– — [Note PSU] —
Pekanbaru Pekanbaru Quarter-finals 2024–25 2 2025–26 2 2025– — — —
Perseden Denpasar 3rd in Group D 1994–95 9 2013 13 2025– — —
Persekabpas Pasuruan Regency Quarter-finals 1994–95 10 2009–10 17 2017– 2008–2009 —
Persekat Tegal Lost relegation play-off (Championship) 2006 4 2016 5 2026– 2020–2026 — —
Persiba Bantul Bantul 4th 1994–95 9 2018 9 2018– 2015–2017 — —
Persibangga Purbalingga 3rd in NP R4 Group B (Liga 4) 2006 7 2011–12 8 2026– 2013–2017 —
Persibo Bojonegoro 3rd in Group C 2002 9 2017 9 2025– 2024–2025 — —
Persika Karanganyar Karanganyar Quarter-finals 2006 5 2021–22 5 2025– — — —
Persikota Tangerang 3rd in Group B 1994–95 9 2014 12 2025– 2024–2025 —
Persikotas Nusantara Tasikmalaya 3rd in Group A 2021 3 2021–22 3 2025– 2022–2025 [Note TSK] —
Persikutim United East Kutai Won relegation play-off 2018 9 2018 9 2018– — [Note KTM] —
Persinab Nabire 4th in Group C 2018 9 2018 9 2025– — [Note NBR] —
Persinga Ngawi Semi-finals (Liga 4) 2004 7 2013 8 2026– 2014–2017 —
Persipa Pati 4th in Group A 1994–95 7 2010 13 2025– 2022–2025 —
Persipani Paniai 3rd in NP R4 Group A (Liga 4) 1994–95 9 2011–12 14 2026– — — —
Persitara North Jakarta Won relegation play-off 1994–95 9 2015 11 2025– 2010–2014 — —
Pesik Kuningan Runners-up (Liga 4) 2004 7 2008–09 12 2026– — —
PSN Ngada Semi-finals (Liga 4) 2004 7 2016 8 2026– — —
Putra Sang Fajar Blitar 4th in Group B 2021–22 5 2021–22 5 2025– — [Note PSF] —
Sriwijaya Palembang 10th in Group 1 (Championship) 2005 1 2026–27 1 2026– 2019–2026 — —
Recently relegated from Championship
Recently promoted from Liga 4
Former names
  1. ^
    Donggala United (DGL): previously as Aceh United.
  2. ^
    Pasuruan United (PSU): previously as Persema 1953.
  3. ^
    Persikotas Nusantara (TSK): previously as Mataram Utama.
  4. ^
    Persikutim United (KTM): previously as Sumbersari FC.
  5. ^
    Persinab (NBR): previously as Sang Maestro.
  6. ^
    Putra Sang Fajar (PSF): previously as Tri Brata Rafflesia.
Breakaway league
  1. 1 2 3 4 2011–12 First Division (LPIS)
Unofficial league
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 2016 ISC Liga Nusantara

Former teams

The following clubs competed in the Liga Nusantara since 2024–25 season, but are not competing in the 2026–27 season.

Team Location Year joined Seasons in LN First season in
D3		 Seasons in
D3		 Last spell in
D3		 Current league Former names
757 Kepri Jaya Batam 2008–09 7 2013 7 2018–2025 Liga 4 [Note 757]
de Red Surabaya 2022–23 3 2022–23 3 2025–2026 Championship [Note RFC]
Kalteng Putra Palangka Raya 2001 1 2008–09 4 2024–2025 Defunct —
Kendal Tornado Kendal 2018 7 2018 7 2018–2025 Championship [Note TRD]
Persebata Lembata 1999 8 2017 8 2025–2026 Liga 4 —
Perserang Serang 1994–95 2 2011–12 6 2024–2026 Liga 4 —
Persewar Waropen 2005 3 2011–12 8 2025–2026 Liga 4 —
Persiba Balikpapan Balikpapan 1994–95 1 2024–25 1 2024–2025 Championship —
Persikab Bandung 1994–95 6 2016 8 2024–2025 Liga 4 —
Persikabo 1973 Bogor 2016 1 2025–26 1 2025–2026 Liga 4 [Note PBO]
Persikad Depok 2019 4 2019 4 2024–2025 Championship [Note PKD]
Persipasi Bekasi 2017 8 2017 8 2017–2025 Liga 4 [Note PSI]
PSCS Cilacap 1994–95 2 2009–10 3 2024–2025 Liga 4 —
PSDS Deli Serdang 1994–95 7 2011–12 12 2024–2026 Liga 4 —
PSGC Ciamis 1994–95 7 2011–12 9 2020–2026 Championship —
PSM Madiun Madiun 1994–95 7 2018 7 2018–2025 Liga 4 —
RANS Nusantara Batu 2013 2 2014 2 2025–2026 Championship [Note RNS]
Sulut United Manado 2017 2 2018 2 2024–2025 — [Note SUL]
Waanal Brothers Mimika 2022–23 4 2022–23 4 2022–2026 Liga 4 —
Recently promoted to Championship
Recently relegated to Liga 4
Former names
  1. ^
    757 Kepri Jaya (757): previously as Bintang Jaya Asahan.
  2. ^
    de Red (RFC): previously as Dejan.
  3. ^
    Kendal Tornado (TRD): previously as Tornado Pekanbaru.
  4. ^
    Persikabo 1973 (PBO): previously as PS TNI.
  5. ^
    Persikad (PKD): previously as Karo United.
  6. ^
    Persipasi (PSI): previously as Patriot Candrabhaga.
  7. ^
    RANS Nusantara (RNS): previously as Cilegon United.
  8. ^
    Sulut United (SUL): previously as Bogor Football Club.

Championship history

Old format

One-legged finals

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

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

Season League name Champions Score Runners-up
2024–25 Liga Nusantara Sumut United 4–1 Tornado
2025–26 RANS Nusantara 2–2 (4–3 p) Dejan
2026–27

Promotion history

Old format

Season Promoted teams Total
2014
6
2017
3
2018
6
2019
6
2021–22
8
2023–24
6

New format

Season Champions Runners-up Third place
2024–25 Sumut United Tornado Persiba Balikpapan
2025–26 RANS Nusantara Dejan PSGC Ciamis
2026–27

Relegation history

Season Relegated teams Total
2024–25
8
2025–26
6
2026–27 None 0

Notes:

  1. ↑ I-League director Ferry Paulus said that the league would have no relegation, but the regulation has not yet been published.

Awards

Best players

Season Player Club
2014 Indonesia Edi Winarno Persatu Tuban
2017 Indonesia Assanur Rijal Aceh United
2018 Indonesia Galih Akbar Persik Kediri
2019 Indonesia Rizki Hidayat Persijap Jepara
2021–22 Indonesia Rian Ramadan Karo United
2023–24 Indonesia Sehabudin Ahmad Adhyaksa Farmel
2024–25 Indonesia Yanuar Baehaki Tornado
2025–26 Indonesia Wawan Sumadi Dejan
2026–27

Top scorers

Season Top scorer Club Goals
2014 Indonesia Imam Bagus Kurnia Laga 4
2017 Indonesia Arianto Aceh United 7
2018 Indonesia Septian Bagaskara Persik Kediri 21
2019 Indonesia Rikza Syawali PSKC Cimahi 9
2021–22 Indonesia Adam Malik Putra Delta Sidoarjo 11
2023–24 Indonesia Andi Sopian Dejan 9
2024–25 Indonesia Ali Mashori Persekabpas Pasuruan 14
2025–26 Indonesia Donald Bissa Dejan 11
2026–27

Fair play awards

Season Club
2018 Persik Kediri
2019 PSKC Cimahi
2021–22 Mataram Utama
2023–24 Dejan
2024–25 Persiba Balikpapan
2026–27

Title sponsors

Period Sponsor(s) Brand Ref.
2014 no sponsors Liga Nusantara –
2017–2024 Liga 3 –
2024–2025 PNM PNM Liga Nusantara
2025–2026 no sponsors Liga Nusantara

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "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.
  2. ↑ "Persatu Juarai Piala Nusantara 2014" (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "PSSI Ubah ISL Jadi Liga 1" (in Indonesian). Bola.net. 20 January 2017. Archived from the original on 22 January 2017.
  4. ↑ Robbani, Muhammad (12 December 2024). "Liga Nusantara Berstatus Semi Profesional". Detik.com (in Indonesian).
  5. ↑ Robbani, Muhammad (22 November 2024). "Liga Nusantara Gantikan Liga 3, Akan Bergulir Mulai 13 Desember". Detik.com (in Indonesian).
  6. ↑ Syachniar, Zaro Ezza (7 November 2025). Sidik, Jafar M. (ed.). "Undian Liga Nusantara 2025/2026 digelar, kick-off 29 November". Antara (in Indonesian).
  7. ↑ Reza, Bagas (19 September 2026). "Format Baru Kasta Ketiga, Liga Nusantara 2026-2027 Mainkan Laga Home-Away dan Dibagi 3 Grup serta Perketat Lisensi". Bolasport.com (in Indonesian).
  8. ↑ "Perubahan Besar Liga Nusantara: Tidak Ada Degradasi". Kabar Patigo (in Indonesian). 20 September 2026.
  9. ↑ Rokhman, Kholil (1 September 2026). "Aturan Baru Liga Nusantara Diberlakukan, Persibangga Dipastikan Tak Akan Terdegradasi". Serayu News (in Indonesian).
  10. ↑ "Luar Biasa! Jatim Kuasai Piala Nusantara 2014" (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  11. ↑ Robbani, Muhammad (12 December 2024). "PT LIB Siap Gelar Liga Nusantara, Mulai Kickoff Besok". Detik.com (in Indonesian).