Liga Nusantara (English: Archipelago League) is the third-tier of the football competition system in Indonesia, organized by the 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.
| Organising body | PSSI (2014–2024) I-League (2024–present) |
|---|---|
| Founded |
|
| Country | Indonesia |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of clubs | 24 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to | Championship |
| Relegation to | Liga 4 |
| Domestic cup | Piala Indonesia |
| League cup | Indonesia League Cup |
| Current champions | RANS Nusantara 1st Liga Nusantara title 1st third-tier title (2025–26) |
| Most championships | Sumut United 2 Liga Nusantara titles 2 third-tier titles |
| Broadcaster(s) | YouTube (I-LeagueTV) Nusantara TV |
| Website | Official website |
| Current: 2026–27 Liga Nusantara | |
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
editThe 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
editOld format
editProvincial phase
editEach 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
editA 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
edit2024–25 season
editThe 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- Competition
- 24 clubs are divided into four groups: Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4. Each group consists of six clubs, and teams will face each other three times in a three-legged competition format, for a total of 15 matches. Teams receive three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. Teams are ranked based on total points, then head-to-head record, then goal difference, and then goals scored. If still tied, fair play points and then a draw will determine the rankings.
- Promotion and Relegation
- The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, while teams ranked 3 and 4 will remain in the Nusantara League for the next season.
- The fifth-ranked team from each group will compete in the relegation play-offs, while the sixth-ranked team from each group will be directly relegated to Liga 4.[6]
- Knockout round
Teams
editMaps
edit
.
Current participating teams
editThe 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– | — | — | — |
| Gresik United | Gresik | 4th in Group D | 2006 | 5 | 2019 | 5 | 2025– | 2022–2025 | — | — |
| Nusantara Lampung | Bandar Lampung | 3rd in Group A | 2021 | 3 | 2021–22 | 3 | 2025– | 2022–2025 | [Note NUS] | — |
| Pekanbaru | Pekanbaru | Quarter-finals | 2024–25 | 2 | 2025–26 | 2 | 2025– | — | — | — |
| Perseden | Denpasar | 3rd in Group D | 1994–95 | 9 | 2013 | 13 | 2025– | — | — | [u 1] |
| Persekabpas | Pasuruan | Quarter-finals | 1994–95 | 10 | 2009–10 | 17 | 2017– | 2008–2009 | — | [b 1] |
| 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 | — | — |
| 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 | — | [u 1] |
| Persikutim United | East Kutai | Lost relegation play-off | 2018 | 9 | 2018 | 9 | 2018– | — | [Note KTM] | — |
| Persinab | Nabire | 4th in Group C | 2018 | 9 | 2018 | 9 | 2025– | — | [Note NBR] | — |
| Persipa | Pati | 4th in Group A | 1994–95 | 7 | 2010 | 13 | 2025– | 2022–2025 | — | [b 1][u 1] |
| Persipal | Palu | 10th in Group 2 (Championship) | 2011 | 2 | 2017 | 2 | 2026– | 2018–2026 | [Note PAL] | — |
| Persitara | North Jakarta | Wom relegation play-off | 1994–95 | 9 | 2015 | 11 | 2025– | 2010–2014 | — | — |
| Sriwijaya | Palembang | 10th in Group 1 (Championship) | 2005 | 1 | 2026–27 | 1 | 2026– | 2019–2026 | — | — |
| Tri Brata Rafflesia | Bengkulu | 4th in Group B | 2021—22 | 5 | 2021–22 | 5 | 2025– | — | — | — |
| Recently relegated from Championship | |
| 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 CH" counted since Premier Division dropped down to second-tier (now Championship), including LPIS Premier Division during dualism era (2011–2013) and ISC B in 2016 season.
- Former names
- ^ Nusantara Lampung (NUS): previously as Mataram Utama.
- ^ Persikutim United (KTM): previously as Sumbersari FC.
- ^ Persinab Sang Maestro (NBR): previously as Sang Maestro.
- ^ Persipal (PAL): previously as Aceh United.
- Breakaway league
- Unofficial league
Former teams
editThe 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] |
| Dejan | Depok | 2022–23 | 3 | 2022–23 | 3 | 2025–2026 | Championship | — |
| Kalteng Putra | Palangka Raya | 2001 | 1 | 2008–09 | 4 | 2024–2025 | — | — |
| 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] |
| Persipani | Paniai | 1994–95 | 8 | 2011–12 | 13 | 2011–2025 | Liga 4 | — |
| 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 |
- "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
- ^ 757 Kepri Jaya (757): previously as Bintang Jaya Asahan.
- ^ Kendal Tornado (TRD): previously as Tornado Pekanbaru.
- ^ Persikabo 1973 (PBO): previously as PS TNI.
- ^ Persikad (PKD): previously as Karo United.
- ^ Persipasi (PSI): previously as Patriot Candrabhaga.
- ^ RANS Nusantara (RNS): previously as Cilegon United.
- ^ Sulut United (SUL): previously as Bogor Football Club.
Championship history
editOld format
editOne-legged finals
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 |
| 2025–26 | RANS Nusantara | 2–2 (4–3 p) | Dejan | |
| 2026–27 |
Promotion history
editOld format
editNew format
edit| Season | Champions | Runners-up | Third place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Sumut United | Tornado | Persiba Balikpapan |
| 2025–26 | RANS Nusantara | Dejan | PSGC Ciamis |
| 2026–27 |
Relegation history
edit| Season | Relegated teams | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 |
|
8 |
| 2025–26 |
|
6 |
| 2026–27 |
Awards
editBest players
edit| Season | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 |  Edi Winarno[7] |
Persatu Tuban |
| 2017 | Assanur Rijal |
Aceh United |
| 2018 | Galih Akbar |
Persik Kediri |
| 2019 | Rizki Hidayat |
Persijap Jepara |
| 2021–22 | Rian Ramadan |
Karo United |
| 2023–24 | Sehabudin Ahmad |
Adhyaksa Farmel |
| 2024–25 | Yanuar Baehaki |
Tornado |
| 2025–26 | Wawan Sumadi |
Dejan |
| 2026–27 |
Top scorers
edit| Season | Top scorer | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Imam Bagus Kurnia |
Laga | 4 |
| 2017 | Arianto |
Aceh United | 7 |
| 2018 | Septian Bagaskara |
Persik Kediri | 21 |
| 2019 | Rikza Syawali |
PSKC Cimahi | 9 |
| 2021–22 | Adam Malik |
Putra Delta Sidoarjo | 11 |
| 2023–24 | Andi Sopian |
Dejan | 9 |
| 2024–25 | Ali Mashori |
Persekabpas Pasuruan | 14 |
| 2025–26 | Donald Bissa |
Dejan | 11 |
| 2026–27 |
Fair play awards
editTitle sponsors
editSee also
editReferences
edit- 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.
- ↑ "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).
- ↑ Purwoko, Bhagas Dani (10 November 2025). "Liga 3 Nusantara 2025-2026: Persaingan Kasta Ketiga Dimulai 1 Desember, Berikut Format Kompetisi dan Regulasi!". Radar Bojonegoro (in Indonesian). p. 3.
- ↑ "Luar Biasa! Jatim Kuasai Piala Nusantara 2014" (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
- ↑ Rahmanda, Taufani (12 December 2024). "PNM Liga Nusantara 2024-2025 Resmi Diluncurkan". Skor.id (in Indonesian).