GBK Stadium Unavailable for Persija Home Game Due to FIFA ASEAN Cup Preparations

Persija Jakarta is confirmed not to be able to use the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium when hosting Java United in the third week of the 2026/27 BRI Super League, Saturday, September 19. The stadium needs to be sterile for grass recovery ahead of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup. PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir stated that the stadium should not be used for approximately 10 days after the Persija match against Persib Bandung on September 12 to allow the grass to recover. "After the Persija-Persib match, it should not be used again for 10 days if it is not wrong, so that the grass can recover. And the condition of GBK is good," Erick said in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Monday, September 14. The decision forces Persija to find another stadium to face Java United at 19:00 WIB. The official I.League schedule previously listed SUGBK as the match location, but Persija has not yet announced a replacement stadium. This situation is not new for Macan Kemayoran (Persija's nickname). On several occasions, Persija has had to play home games outside Jakarta, utilizing stadiums such as Patriot Candrabhaga Bekasi Stadium, Manahan Solo Stadium, Captain I Wayan Dipta Bali Stadium, and Segiri Samarinda Stadium. The sterilization of GBK is being carried out because Indonesia will co-host the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled from September 24 to October 5. Indonesia will host Division 1 matches at SUGBK and Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung Regency. Indonesia is in Group A with Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Singapore, with all group matches set to take place at SUGBK. Group B features Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand, and the Philippines, with matches held at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium. For the training of Group A participants, PSSI has prepared GBK Field A-B, Madya Stadium, and PTIK Stadium. Meanwhile, Group B participants will use Arcamanik Stadium, Sidolig Stadium, and ITB Field.